Get Ready for the School Year
Back-to-school season is full of lists: school supplies, new clothes, updated immunizations, and teacher meet-and-greets. Parents spend weeks preparing their children for success. But there’s one item that rarely makes the checklist, even though it matters more than any backpack or notebook: Making sure your family is taken care of should something unexpected happen.
As you prepare for another school year, take a moment to ask yourself: If something happened to me, would my children be taken care of? Would the right person step in? Would my family know what to do? Think of a Will or Trust as the ultimate emergency contact form, one that offers care for your children no matter what.
Why back to school is the right time to plan.
The start of a new school year is already about preparation and organization. Wills and Trusts fit naturally into that mindset:
- You’re already thinking about your children’s well-being.
- You’re in “get organized” mode—the school year brings structure, use it to tackle important tasks.
- You’re naming emergency contacts anyway; why not make them official?
The #1 reason parents need a Will or a Trust: Guardianship
If you have minor children, an important decision is to name a guardian. A guardian is the person who would raise your children if you (and your spouse/partner, if applicable) were unable to. Without a formal document naming your choice, a decision would be made for you. Ask yourself these questions:
- Who would I want to raise my children?
- Does that person know they’ve been chosen?
- Is it documented legally, or just assumed?
- If my first choice couldn’t do it, who would be my backup?
Sending a child to college? There’s something you need to know.
When your child turns 18, they become a legal adult. That means you no longer have automatic authority to access their medical information, make healthcare decisions on their behalf, or handle their financial accounts. If your college student has an emergency and you’re not listed on their documents, you could be shut out of critical decisions, even as their parent. Before move-in day, make sure your college-age child has:
- A Healthcare Power of Attorney naming you (or someone they trust)
- A HIPAA authorization allowing medical information to be shared with you
- A Financial Power of Attorney (if appropriate for their situation)
A Will or a Will and Trust: Which is right for your family?
Will: Having a Will is the foundation. A Will names guardians for your children, specifies who receives your assets, and names someone to carry out your wishes.
Will and Trust: A Will and Trust add other benefits such as avoiding probate, controlling when children receive assets (e.g., at age 25 instead of 18), and keeping your affairs private.
Not sure which plan is right for you?
UECU is excited to announce that Wills and Trusts are now available to our members. Create a plan for what matters most: your loved ones, your future, and your peace of mind with comprehensive Wills and Trusts powered by Legal Karma. Legal Karma’s Wills and Trusts documents start with a quick quiz to help you figure out what’s best for you.
Get started in 5 easy steps:
- Visit https://estateplanning.uecu.org/members to begin your Will or Trust.*
- Take a short 2-3 minute quiz to help you choose your plan. Not a UECU member, no problem. Visit www.UECU.org/join to become a member today. It’s free to join!
- Pick the plan that best fits your needs.
- Complete a guided, self-paced questionnaire.
- Voila! Your personalized Will and Trust documents will be ready in 10 business days.
Ready to create a plan for the people who matter most?
As a UECU member, you have access to unlimited support to help you create your plan. Call Legal Karma’s support team M-F, 9 AM-5 PM at (888) 992-4927 or book a free consultation using our easy-to-use online scheduling tool.
*Estate planning is an important step, and Legal Karma will make the process simple and accessible. While Legal Karma provides tools to help you create an estate plan, we are not a law firm and do not offer legal advice. Using these services is not a substitute for a lawyer and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have complex legal questions or need personalized advice, UECU and Legal Karma encourage you to consult a licensed attorney.
