THE ESSENTIALS
Revocable Living Trust (including "Personal Asset TrustsSM" for your beneficiaries):
Assure the right people will inherit your assets, in the right amounts, at the right times, and upon the terms you designate. The Living Trust not only does this, but avoids court conservatorship and probate proceedings and helps reduce or eliminate federal estate taxes for a married couple. Our cutting-edge Personal Asset TrustSM enhances the protection of your beneficiaries' inheritance from spouses, divorces, lawsuits, creditors, loss of government needs-based benefits and additional estate taxes when they pass their inheritance to the next generation.
Trust Flowchart:
A one page "snapshot" summary of the key provisions of your Trust, to assist you and your successor trustees in understanding how your Trust will work.
Pour Over Will:
A backup to the Trust, this Will transfers any assets left outside the Trust at death into it. This Will also names guardians of your minor children, if any.
Durable Power of Attorney for Property:
Authorizes someone to manage any property outside the Trust if you become incapacitated and to take certain critical, last minute estate planning actions.
Property Agreement:
For married couples, this can avoid needless capital gains taxes if the survivor sells appreciated assets and can help fully utilize each spouse's estate tax exemption.
Advance Health Care Directive:
Includes a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, which authorizes the person(s) of your choosing to make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Also includes a Living Will, which may authorize withdrawal of life support when there is an irreversible coma or terminal illness.
HIPAA Authorization:
Permits the persons that you've named to make your medical and financial decisions immediate access to your health information when the need arises, without having to go to court.
Health Document Emergency Card:
A special card for you to keep in your wallet which allows your emergency health care providers immediate fax access to your Advance Health Care Directive and HIPAA Authorization, when necessary.
Plus...THE "OWNER'S MANUAL"
 The Living Trust "Owner's Manual" includes the estate planning documents (as described above), as well as the following items.
Title Transfer Instructions:
Title Transfer Guidelines and instruction letters for transferring your assets into your Living Trust. (At the time we sign your Trust, we typically also sign all deeds transferring your California real estate to your Trust. These letters are for use with your other assets.)
Trust Certification:
Summary copy of selected portions of your Living Trust in case a bank or other institution requests it when you transfer assets to your Trust.
I.D. Card:
A key item to keep in your wallet, readily available, so when you acquire new assets you properly place them into the proper legal name of your Trust.
What To Do When the Time Comes:Trust Certification:
A checklist of what steps your successor trustee should take immediately upon your death or incapacity. (Each client's surviving spouse or other successor trustee is also entitled to a free meeting to assist them upon your death or incapacity.)
Trustee Duties:
More detailed instructions to your successor trustee regarding the immediate administration of your trust upon death or incapacity.
Direction Letters:
Your instructions for funeral and burial and for distribution of certain, usually less valuable items of personal property, such as family memorabilia, antiques, jewelry and home furnishings.
Location List & Family Information:
Where your important documents and assets can be located and the people to notify upon death or incapacity, along with their addresses and phone numbers.
Checklist To Help Review Your Plan:
This helps identify when you may need to come in to update or revise your plan. (Each client is offered the opportunity to come in for a free review of their estate plan every three years.)
Plus... THE "SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE MANUAL"
 This Manual is chock-full of helpful, plain-English checklists and easy to follow, step-by-step procedures based on our firm's unique experience in handling over 2,000 trust administrations after clients have passed. This Manual will prove to be invaluable to your successor trustee(s), as well as help minimize potential legal fees, aggravation and anxiety!
A Few Important "Do's" and "Don'ts":
Most people have never served before as a Trustee of a Living Trust. This Chapter will quickly identify the things they should do and, maybe even more importantly, the things they shouldn't do!
Checklists of Immediate Actions:
Plain-English checklists to assist the Trustee, whether the trustmaker has just become ill or disabled, whether an individual or the first spouse of a married couple has passed away, or the surviving spouse of a married couple has passed away - - so the Trustee knows what critical items need to be done in each of these circumstances.
Working with Advisors and Beneficiaries:
Some helpful tips on how to successfully work with attorneys, financial advisors, accountants and trust beneficiaries to ensure a smooth administration of the Trust.
Trustee Duties, Powers and Liabilities:
This Chapter will assist the Trustee in knowing what powers and duties they may have in their role as Trustee, as well as what limitations they may have!
A "Quick Start" DVD and Much, Much More:
A short DVD to get the Trustee started (particularly if he or she doesn't want to read a Manual!) as well as helpful tips and guidance on various aspects of serving as Trustee, such as Investing, Recordkeeping, Income and Estate Taxes, Distributions to Trustees, Transitioning to Another Trustee and Termination of the Trust. This Manual is a must-have companion to the Living Trust Owner's Manual!
Plus.... THE "PAT" BENEFICIARY MANUAL
 The "PAT" Beneficiary Manual is the third and final volume of our unique Living Trust "trilogy", providing a complete A through Z guide to everything a client's beneficiaries need to know to properly set up and utilize our unique "Personal Asset TrustSM". This indispensable tool is the critical "missing link" that will help a client's loved ones avoid costly mistakes that could wipe out their inheritance!
A Few Important "Do's" and "Don'ts":
The most important things that all beneficiaries should know what to do and what NOT to do!
How to Use and Access Trust Assets:
It's important for any beneficiary to know how to properly use or distribute the assets he or she is entitled to while maintaining the greatest level of protection of those assets based on the beneficiary's individual needs and circumstances.
A "Quick Start" DVD and Much, Much More :
A short DVD to get the beneficiary started with properly using the "PAT" (particularly if he or she doesn't want to read a Manual!). From investing, purchasing, refinancing and selling assets to recordkeeping, income taxes, estate taxes and financial and estate planning for the beneficiary, this Manual comes complete with just about anything and everything any beneficiary needs to know to properly setup, implement and utilize his or her "PAT"!
Plus... OUR FREE SERVICE PACKAGE
Free Phone Calls - To help you and to answer your questions after you set up your trust with us.
Free Meeting To Review Your Plan - Every 3 years, to make sure your estate plan is up-to-date with any law changes and newer planning strategies, and accurately continues to reflect your planning wishes.
Free Seminars - On new services and strategies, law changes, advanced estate planning, and various financial and tax planning subjects.
Free E-mail Newsletter - Published periodically, to keep you Informed of the Latest Estate Planning Developments and Strategies.
Specially Discounted "Upgrade" Packages - When law changes require important revisions of your Living Trust Estate Plan.
Free Post-Death Consultation With Your Successor Trustee - To help assure your Trust will be properly implemented when the time comes.
All of the above "Most Complete Living Trust Package " is individually tailored and prepared for a fixed fee, quoted in advance, and agreed to by you in writing before any work is done. Your initial consultation, to review your particular situation and needs, and to quote the fixed fee, is free of charge. You may also require additional Advanced Planning, which will be quoted separately as needed. |