These clients were a married couple who were not U.S. citizens, with two children – one that was a minor. Their goals included providing for their children, and avoiding probate.
We created a trust plan for them, which included:
- A Qualifying Domestic Trust (QDOT);
- Wills;
- A Power of Attorney for Minors;
- A Power of Attorney for Health Care for Minors;
- Powers of Attorney for Finances;
- Medical Powers of Attorney;
- Health Care Directives;
- Disposition Instructions;
- A Babysitter Manual;
- Letters to Short-Term Guardians; and
- A Quit-Claim Deed to Trust.
The QDOT allows the couple to accomplish their goals in their specific situation.
The wills nominate a personal representative to transfer any assets into the trust that the clients may have missed transferring into their trust in their lifetimes. It also names long-term guardians for their minor child in case anything happens to them before the child turns eighteen.
The Power of Attorney for Minors names people to act on behalf of their children if an emergency happens while they are still living.
The Power of Attorney for Health Care for Minors names people to manage their children’s medical care if an emergency happens when the clients are still living.
The Medical Powers of Attorney state who the clients would like to manage their medical care if they ever become incapacitated.
The Health Care Directives detail the type of health care the clients would like if they are ever in a permanent, vegetative state.
The Disposition Instructions describe what the clients would like to happen to their remains after they are gone.
The Babysitter Manual includes instructions for a babysitter to follow if an emergency occurs when the clients are gone, as well as both parents’ names and phone numbers, and the names and phone numbers of the short-term and long-term guardians.
The Letters to Short-Term Guardians include instructions for the short-term guardian to follow in case of an emergency, in addition to the names and contact information of the long-term guardians.
The Quit-Claim Deed to Trust transfers the clients’ real property into their trust, to be distributed according to their wishes, and allows the property to avoid passing through probate.