Marital Deduction Trust with Lifetime Income and Power of Appointment in Beneficiary
Spouse and Residuary Trust
This Trust Agreement is made on _____________ (date) , between ________________
(Name of Trustor) , of __________________________________________________________
____________________ (street address, city, state, zip code) , hereinafter called the
Trustor , and _____________________ (Name of Trustee) , a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the state of ______________, with its principal office located at
____________________________________________________________________________
(street address, city, state, zip code) , referred to herein as Trustee .
I. Trust Estate
Trustor transfers and delivers to Trustee all of the property described in Exhibit A , which
is attached to and made part of this Trust Agreement by this reference. Said property
comprising the Trust is hereinafter referred to as the Property. The receipt of the Property is
hereby acknowledged by Trustee. The Property, together with any other property that may later
become subject to this Trust, shall constitute the Trust Estate and shall be held, administered,
and distributed by Trustee as provided in this Agreement.
II. Disposition during Trustor’s Lifetime
Trustee shall pay the net income from the Trust Estate to Trustor until Trustor's death.
Trustee shall also pay to or for Trustor and Trustor's Wife so much of the Trust principal as
Trustee deems necessary for the health, education, support, and maintenance of Trustor and
Trustor's Wife during Trustor's lifetime.
III. Disposition on Trustor’s Death
A. Payment of Funeral Expenses and other Items. On the death of Trustor,
Trustee may, in Trustee's absolute discretion, pay from either income or principal any
unpaid debts of Trustor, taxes due prior to Trustor's death, expenses of Trustor's last
illness, and funeral and burial expenses of Trustor, provided Trustor has not made other
adequate provision for the payment of such debts and expenses. Without limiting the
authority of Trustee, Trustee shall not be required to make any payments authorized in
this Agreement unless a claim in a form satisfactory to Trustee is filed with Trustee
within _____ days after Trustor's death. After the expiration of the -day period, Trustee
shall be fully protected in distributing the Trust Property in the manner otherwise
provided in this Agreement.
B. Division of Trust. Trustee shall, on the death of Trustor, divide the Trust
Property and any Property added to the Trust Property under Trustor's will, after
payment of the debts and expenses authorized in Paragraph A above, into two Trusts
designated as the Marital Trust and the residuary Trust. Each of the Trusts shall be
separately held and administered on the following terms:
1. Marital Trust. If Trustor's Wife survives Trustor, the Marital Trust shall
consist of all assets selected by Trustee from the Trust Estate which qualify for
the Federal Estate tax Marital deduction, equal in value to an amount which,
when added to the final Estate tax value of all other Property included in Trustor's
gross Estate which passes to Trustor's Wife and which qualifies for the Federal
Estate tax Marital deduction, will entitle Trustor's Estate to the minimum Federal
Estate tax Marital deduction allowable in determining the Federal Estate tax
payable by reason of Trustor's death, necessary to reduce Trustor's taxable
Estate to an amount on which no Federal Estate tax is due and which allows the
Federal unified credit available to Trustor's Estate to be fully used. Such
allocation to the Marital Trust shall be made only after taking into consideration
all other Property that passes or has passed to or in Trust for the benefit of
Trustor's Wife other than under this provision of this Trust Agreement, that is
included in the gross Estate of Trustor, and that qualifies in determining the
Marital deduction for Federal Estate tax purposes. The Property selected shall be
valued as is finally determined for Federal Estate tax purposes. The Marital Trust
shall receive Property, including cash, that is fairly representative of appreciation
or depreciation in the value of all Property thus available to satisfy this provision.
Insofar as possible, the nature, character, and extent of the Property, its
qualification for the Marital deduction, the value of Property included in the gross
Estate, and any other fact required by the terms of this Agreement to be
determined, shall be the same as finally determined for Federal Estate tax
purposes in Trustor's taxable Estate. Trustee may conclusively rely on a written
statement from Trustor's personal representative, or from legal counsel for such
representative, stating that the Estate tax has been finally determined and as to
all facts determined. Unless otherwise directed by Trustor's will, no part of the
Estate, inheritance, and succession taxes chargeable to Trustee or the Trust
Property by reason of Trustor's death shall be charged to the Marital Trust.
2. Residuary Trust. If Trustor's Wife survives Trustor, the Residuary Trust
shall consist of all Property held under this Agreement other than that allocated
to the Marital Trust. If Trustor's Wife does not survive Trustor, the Residuary
Trust shall consist of all Property held under this Agreement. Unless otherwise
directed by the Will of Trustor, all Estate, inheritance, and succession taxes
chargeable to Trustee of the Trust Property by reason of Trustor's death shall be
charged to and paid from the Residuary Trust.
IV. Distributions from Separate Trusts
The Marital and Residuary Trusts shall be subject to the following provisions:
A. Disposition during lifetime of Trustor's Wife. Trustee shall pay to or for the
benefit of Trustor's Wife during his lifetime all of the net income of both the Marital Trust
and the Residuary Trust in installments as selected by Trustee but not less frequently
than annually. In addition to income, Trustee shall pay to or apply for Trustor's Wife so
much of the principal of the Marital Trust as Trustee, in Trustee's absolute discretion,
deems necessary for her reasonable support, education, maintenance, and health
expenses during her lifetime. If the principal of the Marital Trust is exhausted, or in
Trustee's absolute discretion may not be readily used for such purposes, Trustee may
pay or apply so much of the principal of the Residuary Trust as Trustee deems
necessary for those purposes. Trustee may, but need not, take into consideration any
other income or Property available to Trustor's Wife. In exercising such discretion,
Trustee may rely on a written statement of Trustor's Wife as to other Property or income
available to her, but Trustee may act without regard to such statement. The discretion of
Trustee shall be exercised liberally in favor of Trustor's Wife, it being Trustor's intention
that she shall have, in addition to the necessities, a reasonable number of luxuries of life.
B. Termination on Death of Survivor of Trustor or Wife.
The Trusts created by this Agreement shall terminate on the death of the survivor
of Trustor and Trustor's Wife, and then:
1. Payment of funeral expenses and other items. Trustee may pay any
unpaid expenses of the last illness, and the funeral and burial expenses, of
Trustor's Wife unless Trustee, in Trustee's absolute discretion, determines that
adequate Property is otherwise available in the Estate of Trustor's Wife from
which to pay those expenses. Without limiting the authority of Trustee, Trustee
shall not be required to make any payments authorized in this Agreement unless
a claim in form satisfactory to Trustee is filed with Trustee within days after the
death of Trustor's Wife. After the expiration of the -day period, Trustee shall be
fully protected in distributing the Trust Property in the manner otherwise provided
in this Agreement. The payments, if any, authorized in this Agreement shall be
paid from the Residuary Trust, unless Trustor's Wife provides otherwise in her
last Will.
2. Wife general power of appointment over Marital Trust. Trustee shall
distribute all the Property in the Marital Trust to the persons and objects
appointed by Trustor's Wife in her last Will, admitted to probate, and specifically
referring to this Trust. The power of appointment is exercisable solely and
absolutely by Trustor's Wife, and may be exercised in favor of her Estate or any
persons or objects. Such appointment may be made absolutely or in Trust, to
create future interests, joint tenancies, or undivided interests, or on condition or
conditions, on such Estates, subject to such limitations, and in such shares or
proportions as Trustor's Wife designates in her last will, admitted to probate and
specifically referring to the power granted to her in this Agreement. Any Property
of the Marital Trust that is not effectively appointed by the Will of Trustor's Wife
shall be added to the Residuary Trust and distributed as provided in this
Agreement.
3. Residuary Trust distribution. The Property of the Residuary
Trust, including any portion of the Marital Trust added to the same,
together with undisbursed income shall be divided into two equal shares.
One share shall be distributed to my Heirs, and the other share shall
be distributed to my Spouse's Heirs.
V. Revocation and Amendment
Trustor by an instrument in writing delivered to Trustee may modify, alter, revoke, or
terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part, and may withdraw any Property subject to this
Agreement. However, the duties, powers, and liabilities of Trustee shall not be substantially
changed without Trustee's written consent, except as to revocation or withdrawal.
VI. Additions to Trust
In Trustee's discretion, Trustee may accept additions to the Trust from any source.
Additions received after the death of Trustor shall be irrevocable. Unless otherwise specified in
the instrument of transfer, additions shall be applied in equal portions to the Trusts under this
Agreement, if there is then more than one Trust.
VII. Powers of Trustee
In administering each of the Trusts, Trustee shall have the following powers, to
be exercised in a fiduciary capacity:
A. The Trustee shall have full power and authority to invest and reinvest the
principal of the Trust in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as the Trustee
may see fit; to sell, ex change, pledge, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any property,
real or personal, originally or subsequently acquired; to retain and hold in unchanged
form any property, real or personal, coming into its hands; to rent or lease any of the
properties embraced within the Trust, upon such terms and conditions as the Trustee
deems advisable; to make all determinations respecting division, allot ments and
distributions of income and principal to the Beneficiaries; to pay taxes of every kind
existing against the Trust property; and to do all other acts which, in the judgment of the
Trustee, may be neces sary or appropriate for the proper and advantageous manage -
ment, investment and distribution of the Trust estate to the same extent as though it
were the sole owner of the Trust property. In addition, the Trustee shall have all of the
powers granted by the "Uniform Trustees' Powers Law," being Sections _____________
________________________ (Cite State Statute if applicable) as now enacted or
hereafter amended, reference to which statute is hereby made for all pur poses.
B. Neither the principal nor the income of the Trust fund, nor any part of same, shall
be liable for the debts of any Beneficiary hereunder, nor shall the same be subject to
seizure by any creditor of any Beneficiary hereunder, and no Beneficiary hereunder shall
have any power to sell, assign, transfer, or in any manner to anticipate or dispose of his
or her interest in the Trust fund, or any part of same, or the income produced from said
fund or any part of same.
C. The Trust hereinbefore created is a private Trust, and the Trustee shall not be
required to obtain the order or approval of any court for the exercise of any power or
discretion herein given. The Trustee is hereby authorized to receive and retain for its
services in administering the Trust reasonable fees and compen sation in accordance
with that which is customarily and generally charged for performing Trust services of the
nature involved in said Trust. The income of the Trust herein created shall accrue from
the date of my death, and during the period of the administer ing of my estate, and until
the Trust is established, I hereby authorize my Executrix, in her sole discretion, to pay at
least annually out of my general estate to my wife, as Beneficiary of said Trust as
advanced payment of income, such sums as in their judgment equal the income which
my said wife would receive from said Trust had the same been established. The Trustee
shall not be required to enter into any bond as Trustee, nor shall it be required to return
to any court any periodic formal accounting of its administration of the Trust, but the
Trustee shall render annual accounts to my said wife. No person paying money or
delivering property to the Trustee shall be required to see to its application..
VIII. Powers Reserved By Trustor
So long as Trustor is living and is not under such a disability as renders Trustor
incapable to properly manage his own Property, Trustee shall consult with Trustor at any
reasonable time to obtain Trustor's written approval before Trustee exercises any of the powers
set forth in Section VII . If Trustor withholds his approval of any proposal made by Trustee,
notwithstanding the actual or anticipated effect on the Trust Estate, Trustee shall not be liable or
accountable in any manner for failing to act in the absence of that approval. In determining
whether Trustor is under such a disability as renders Trustor incapable to properly manage
Property, Trustee may rely on any information believed by Trustee to be accurate. Trustee shall
be fully protected for acts done by Trustee, or Trustee's failure to take any action, in good faith
reliance on such information. Trustor shall also have the power, while living and competent, by
an instrument in writing delivered to Trustee, to direct Trustee in the exercise of any of the
powers set forth in Section VII. Trustee shall not be liable or accountable for complying with
Trustor's directions.
IX. Minority or Incompetency
When any Beneficiary entitled to receive payments under this Agreement is a
minor, or in the absolute judgment of Trustee is mentally or physically incompetent
(irrespective of whether legally so adjudicated), Trustee may, in Trustee's discretion,
expend or apply such payments for the benefit of the Beneficiary, or, in the case of a
minor, may make such payments to the parent or parents or the legal guardian of the
Beneficiary or to the person or persons with whom the Beneficiary then resides.
X. Disposition of Proceeds
The proceeds from the sale or transfer, other than a leasing, of any part of the Trust
Property shall be allocated to the Trust principal. Bonds or other obligations bearing no stated
interest shall constitute income, when sold or redeemed, to the extent of the profit realized by
Trustee.
XI. Commingling and Dividing Assets
Except as to the Marital Trust, Trustee shall have the power, in Trustee's
absolute discretion, to retain or invest in undivided interests and commingle Property of
separate Trusts under this Agreement and shall not be required to physically segregate
or apportion undivided interests to the Trust. Except as to the Marital Trust, in making a
division or distribution of the Trust Estate, Trustee is authorized and empowered, in
Trustee's absolute discretion, to make such division or distribution among the respective
Trusts or Beneficiaries at such valuation as Trustee shall deem fit and proper, and in
Trustee's absolute discretion may distribute the Trust Property in cash or in kind to the
Beneficiary or Beneficiaries then entitled to receive any part, or all, of the Trust Estate.
Trustee is further empowered to sell any portion or all of the Trust Estate, and to take
such other steps as may be necessary or proper in Trustee's absolute discretion to
effect any such division or distribution.
XII. Termination in Trustee’s Discretion
If the value of the Property held in any Trust at any time is less than $_______,
the Trust shall terminate. If, in the absolute discretion of Trustee, the value of a Trust is
such that the administration of it is no longer economically desirable or the continuation
of the Trust is no longer in the best interests of the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, Trustee
may terminate the Trust. On termination of the Trust as provided in this Agreement,
Trustee shall distribute the Trust Property to the person or persons then entitled to
receive the income from it in the proportion provided in the Trust.
XIII. Compensation of Trustee
Any Trustee shall be entitled to reasonable fees commensurate with its duties
and responsibilities taking into account the value and nature of the Trust estate and the
time and work involved. The Trustee shall be reimbursed for the reasonable costs and
expenses incurred in connection with its fiduciary duties under this Will. No Trustee,
whether original or successor, shall be required to furnish bond or other security, except
as provided in this Will.
XIV. Resignation of Trustee
Trustee may at any time resign from any Trust created by this Agreement by depositing
in the United States mail, postage prepaid, a notice of resignation addressed to the persons or
person then entitled to receive income payments under this Agreement at the addresses of the
persons or person last known to Trustee. The resignation shall take effect days after the date of
mailing of the notice. On such resignation, Trustor, if living, shall appoint a successor Trustee. If
Trustor is deceased, a majority of the legally competent Beneficiaries then entitled to receive
income from the Trust Estate or shares of it shall have the power, by vote, to appoint a
successor Trustee. Notice of such appointment shall be made in duplicate in writing, one copy
to be delivered to the then Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee.
XV. Spendthrift Provision
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all income or principal
to be paid to any of the Beneficiaries shall be paid by Trustee directly, and only to the
Beneficiaries, to the personal representative of any Beneficiary, or, where authorized, applied
for the benefit of any Beneficiary. Trustee shall not recognize any transfer, mortgage, pledge,
hypothecation, order, or assignment of any Beneficiary by way of anticipation of income or
principal. The income and principal of any Trust under this Agreement shall not be subject to
transfer by operation of law, and shall be exempt from the claims of creditors or other claimants,
and from orders, decrees, levies, attachments, garnishments, executions, and other legal or
equitable processes or proceedings to the fullest extent permissible by law. With the exception
of the Marital Trust, if any creditor or other claimant attempts by any means to satisfy any claim
of the creditor or claimant by a levy on the interest of any Beneficiary entitled to receive
payments from income or principal, or both, then notwithstanding any other provisions such
Beneficiary, during such subsequent time as Trustee in its absolute discretion deems advisable,
shall not be entitled to receive payments from the Trust. However, during the time payments are
so suspended, Trustee, in its absolute discretion, may pay to or expend for the benefit of the
Beneficiary so much of the Trust net income as Trustee deems necessary for the support and
education of the Beneficiary. Such payment or expenditure is to be made in accordance with the
Beneficiary's station in life, but in no event is to exceed the amount the Beneficiary would
otherwise receive pursuant to this Trust. All income determined by Trustee to be in excess of
the amount necessary for such purposes shall be accumulated and added to Trust principal.
XVI. Transactions with Executor or with other Trustees
Trustee shall have the power to sell to or purchase Property from, and to borrow from or
lend money to, the executor of Trustor's Estate or the Trustee of any other Trust created by
Trustor, including any Trust under Trustor's will. Any such sales or purchases shall be made at
the fair value of the Property as determined by Trustee and the executor, or by such other
Trustees. Any such borrowings or loans may be made with or without security, and at such
interest as executor and Trustee, or the other Trustees, determine proper. The powers
authorized in this Agreement may be exercised although the executor and Trustee, or the other
Trustees of two or more Trusts, may be the same.
XVII. Powers Inconsistent with Marital Deduction
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the powers or
discretions granted in this Agreement to Trustee shall be exercised in a manner inconsistent
with the allowance of the full Federal Estate tax Marital deduction to which the Estate of Trustor
would otherwise be entitled.
XVIII. Governing Law
This Agreement, its validity, and construction shall be administered in, and controlled by
the laws of _______________ (Name of State) .
Witness our signatures this the ______ day of ____________, 20____.
Witness our signatures ________________ (date) .
____________________________
(Name of Trustee)
By: ______________________________ ______________________________
________________________________ ______________________________
(P rinted Name & Office in Corporation) (Name & Signature of Trustor)
____________________________
(Signature of Officer)
(Acknowledgment form may vary by state)
State ______________
County of _______________
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the said county and
state, on this ____ day of _____________, 20_____, within my jurisdiction, the within named,
______________________ (Name of Trustor) , as Trustor under the ___________________
(Name of Trust) , who acknowledged that he executed the above and fore going instrument for
and on behalf of said Trust and as his act and deed.
_____________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commission expires:
______________________
State of _____________________
County of ___________________
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the said County
and State, on this ________________ (date) , within my jurisdic tion, the within-named
________________________ (Name of Trustor) , who acknowledged that he executed the
above and foregoing instrument.
________________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commission Expires:
____________________