Santa Clara California Qualified Domestic Trust Agreement, also known as DOT Agreement, is a legal arrangement designed to facilitate the transfer of assets from a deceased spouse who is not a U.S. citizen to a surviving spouse who is a U.S. citizen. This agreement allows for the deferral of estate taxes on the transferred assets, ensuring that the surviving spouse can receive income from the trust without incurring immediate tax liabilities. In Santa Clara, California, there are a few different types of Qualified Domestic Trust Agreements that individuals may choose based on their specific circumstances. These include: 1. Standard Santa Clara California DOT Agreement: This is the most common type of DOT Agreement, which allows for the transfer of assets above the estate tax exemption limit (currently set at $11.7 million in 2021) from a non-U.S. citizen spouse to a U.S. citizen spouse. The surviving spouse becomes the beneficiary of the trust and receives regular income distributions. 2. Testamentary Santa Clara California DOT Agreement: This type of DOT Agreement is established within a will and only becomes effective upon the death of the first spouse. It allows for the assets of the non-U.S. citizen spouse to be transferred into a trust for the benefit of the U.S. citizen spouse, ensuring estate tax deferral. 3. Terminable Interest Santa Clara California DOT Agreement: This variation allows the U.S. citizen spouse to receive the income generated by the trust during their lifetime. However, the principal or assets of the trust is not accessible to the surviving spouse. Instead, it passes to other beneficiaries upon the spouse's death. 4. Income-Only Santa Clara California DOT Agreement: This type of DOT Agreement ensures that only income generated by the trust can be distributed to the surviving spouse. The principal of the trust remains untouched and ultimately goes to other beneficiaries (such as children) upon the surviving spouse's death. It is essential to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney in Santa Clara, California, to determine the most suitable type of Qualified Domestic Trust Agreement for your specific circumstances. This will help you maximize tax benefits, protect assets, and ensure the smooth transfer of wealth between spouses.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.