A new estate planning program piloted by State Employees' Credit Union has officially launched with a new loan feature.

Members of the $21 billion credit union in Raleigh, N.C., that participate in the “Estate Planning Essentials” program can include a will with possible trust provisions, a durable power of attorney, a health care power of attorney and living will, and a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act authorization. The documents are prepared by estate planning attorneys who have agreed to complete the documents at a set member price.

Services included in the basic program are priced at $250 for an individual and $350 for a couple with substantially similar estate plans whose documents are prepared at the same time, according to SECU. Members who require more complex planning can work with SECU Trust representatives and a local attorney of the members' choice to help address their estate planning needs.

The estate planning program also offers a loan for those who do not have a will and may be deterred by the expense of having one prepared, SECU said. The loan, currently at a 10.75% rate, will allow members up to 12 months to pay for the program, which is an average monthly cost of approximately $32. To date, more than 3,000 members, including employees and volunteers, have participated in the program, according to the credit union.