FPT - Section 2: Essential Estate Planning Documents

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Family Protection Toolkit - Table of Contents

 

Section 2: Essential Estate Planning Documents 

A comprehensive estate plan will typically include several legal documents, each serving a specific purpose in protecting you and your family.

Revocable Living Trust

A revocable living trust (RLT) is similar to a will but offers added benefits, allowing asset management, incapacity and death planning, and avoiding probate, keeping it private.

Pour-Over Will

A pour-over will acts as a safety net for your trust, directing any assets not transferred to it during your lifetime to be transferred upon your death.

Will

A will names guardians for minor children, distributes property and assets after death, names a trusted an executor to manage the estate. It only takes effect after death and must go through probate court for validation and implementation.

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney (POA) lets someone you trust make legal and financial decisions for your, and it takes effect if you are unable to, due to illness or incapacity.

Advance Healthcare Directive

A medical care directive lets you outline your healthcare wishes and appoint someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so.

HIPAA Authorization

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) authorization allows you to give someone you trust (healthcare proxy) the ability to access your protected health information and to communicate with your medical care team of doctors and nurses.

Declaration of Guardian Nomination

A guardian nomination allows you to state who you would like as guardian of your children’s person and estate. You may nominate the same person as the guardian of your children’s person and estate. Note: It is not guaranteed that this person will become t

Supplementary - Remembrance and Services Memorandum

It documents your preferences for funeral arrangements, burial or cremation.

Supplementary - Pet Trust

Ensures your pets are cared for if you are unable to do so by setting aside funds for their care, naming a caretaker, providing specific care instructions, and naming a trust protector to ensure the caretaker follows your wishes.