A North Dakota Qualifying Subchapter-S Revocable Trust Agreement (also known as a Sub Trust Agreement) is a legal document that allows individuals in North Dakota to create a specialized trust for S-corporation stock ownership purposes. The agreement is designed to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and North Dakota state law. This trust agreement is specifically tailored for individuals who own Subchapter-S corporation stock and wish to transfer it to a trust while maintaining the corporation's status as an S-corporation. By placing the stock into a qualifying revocable trust, the trust becomes the legal owner of the stock, while the granter (the person who creates the trust) retains control over the trust's terms and operations. Benefits of using a North Dakota Qualifying Subchapter-S Revocable Trust Agreement include: 1. Preservation of S-corporation status: S-corporations have certain tax advantages, such as pass-through taxation, which can be lost if the ownership is transferred to a non-qualifying trust. This agreement ensures that the S-corporation status is maintained, allowing the income and losses to flow through to the beneficiaries' personal tax returns. 2. Asset protection: By transferring the stock ownership to a revocable trust, individuals can provide an additional layer of asset protection for their beneficiaries. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who want to protect the stock from potential creditors or future legal disputes. 3. Avoidance of probate: In North Dakota, assets held in a revocable trust can bypass the probate process, allowing for a smoother transfer of ownership to the beneficiaries upon the granter's death. This can save time and money by avoiding the often lengthy and costly probate proceedings. 4. Flexibility and control: As a revocable trust, the granter maintains the ability to make changes or revoke the trust agreement at any time during their lifetime. This provides flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances, such as changing beneficiaries, trustees, or modifying the terms of the trust. Different types of North Dakota Qualifying Subchapter-S Revocable Trust Agreements may include variations in the specific terms and provisions based on the granter's preferences and objectives. However, the core purpose of all these agreements remains consistent — to ensure the compliance and preservation of S-corporation status while providing the granter with the desired control and flexibility over the trust. In conclusion, a North Dakota Qualifying Subchapter-S Revocable Trust Agreement is a specialized legal document that allows individuals to transfer their S-corporation stock ownership to a trust while maintaining the corporation's status and enjoying benefits such as asset protection, avoidance of probate, and flexible control over the trust's terms.