A Modern, More Flexible Approach to Estate Planning
Estate planning is not only for the wealthy. A properly structured estate plan can help protect your family, preserve your privacy, provide guidance during incapacity, and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Without the right plan in place, loved ones may face probate proceedings, court involvement, legal expenses, delays, and unnecessary stress.
American Trustee LLC provides access to a modern estate planning solution through Integrated Trust Systems. This approach combines established trust strategies with secure digital technology, making it easier to create, organize, access, and maintain important estate planning documents throughout your lifetime.
Unlike a traditional plan that may consist of static documents stored away and rarely reviewed, the Integrated Trust Systems platform is designed to remain accessible and adaptable. Clients can receive ongoing support, request updates, securely access important information, and help ensure their trust remains properly funded as their assets and circumstances change.
More Than a Collection of Documents
The Integrated Trust Systems eEstatePlan™ combines essential documents, secure digital tools, and ongoing guidance to help you create, organize, and maintain an effective estate plan.
Revocable Living Trust: A revocable living trust forms the foundation of the plan. When properly designed and funded, it can help avoid probate, protect family privacy, and provide clear instructions for managing your assets during incapacity and after your passing.
Essential Legal Documents: Your plan may also include financial powers of attorney, advance medical directives, pour-over wills, certificates of trust, personal instructions, and other supporting documents designed to keep your wishes clear and your affairs organized.
Secure Digital Access: Important documents are stored in one secure digital location, making it easier for authorized trustees and family members to find critical information. Medical ID cards may also provide fast access to your healthcare directives when needed.
Ongoing Support & Funding: Integrated Trust Systems provides ongoing tools and support to help keep your plan effective. This may include assistance with trust funding, document updates, legal-team questions, and adjustments as your life, assets, or wishes change.
Is Digital Estate Planning Right for You?
Every family and financial situation is different. American Trustee LLC can help you better understand the available planning options and determine whether the Integrated Trust Systems approach may be appropriate for your goals.
This guidance can be especially helpful if you are:
- Concerned about your family having to go through probate
- Interested in protecting your family’s privacy and reducing court involvement
- Preparing for the possibility of incapacity or medical emergencies
- Unsure whether your current trust has been properly funded
- Looking for a more organized and accessible way to manage estate documents
- Updating an older estate plan that may no longer reflect your wishes
- Planning for minor children or a loved one with special needs
- Interested in Medicaid planning, asset preservation, or other advanced trust strategies
- Looking for ongoing support rather than a one-time set of documents
FAQ’s
Do I need an estate plan if I am not wealthy?
Estate planning is not limited to high-net-worth families. Anyone who owns a home, retirement account, life insurance policy, savings, investments, or other personal property may benefit from having a clear plan. An estate plan can also provide instructions for financial and medical decisions if you become incapacitated.
What is included in an Integrated Trust Systems estate plan?
The foundation of the plan is typically a revocable living trust. Depending on your situation, it may also include financial powers of attorney, advance medical directives, pour-over wills, certificates of trust, personal instructions, digital document storage, trust-funding resources, and secure access for authorized trustees or family members.
How can a revocable living trust help avoid probate?
Assets that are properly transferred into a revocable living trust can generally be managed and distributed by the successor trustee without going through the traditional probate process. Simply creating a trust is not enough, however. The trust must also be properly funded and maintained.
Can my estate plan be updated after it is completed?
Yes. A revocable living trust is designed to provide flexibility during your lifetime. Changes may be necessary after a marriage, divorce, birth, death, property purchase, financial change, or other major life event. The Integrated Trust Systems platform provides ongoing access and support for eligible updates and questions.
How does the digital estate planning process work?
The process combines direct virtual assistance with secure digital technology. Clients work with the appropriate support team to create their plan, electronically complete documents where permitted, organize important information, and store materials in a secure digital location. Authorized individuals can then access essential documents and instructions when needed.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice.