A Texas Complex Will — Max. Credit Shelter Marital Trust to Children is a legal document that provides a detailed plan for the distribution of assets and estate taxes for married couples in the state of Texas. This type of will is designed to take full advantage of the federal estate tax exemption and ensure that both spouses' wishes are respected while minimizing the tax burden on the estate. One of the primary objectives of a Texas Complex Will — Max. Credit Shelter Marital Trust to Children is to utilize the maximum available estate tax exemption. By doing so, couples can pass a significant amount of their wealth to their children or other beneficiaries without incurring estate taxes. There are a few variations of this type of will, depending on the specific needs and goals of the couple. Some common types include: 1. Texas Complex Will with a Credit Shelter Trust: In this type of will, a trust is created upon the death of the first spouse, and the maximum available estate tax exemption amount is transferred to the trust. The surviving spouse can access the income generated by the trust during their lifetime, but the principal remains protected and eventually passes to the children or designated beneficiaries. 2. Texas Complex Will with a Marital Trust: This type of will establishes a trust for the benefit of the surviving spouse. The trust provides income and potentially principal distributions to the surviving spouse during their lifetime. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the remaining trust assets pass to the children or beneficiaries. 3. Texas Complex Will with a Credit Shelter Marital Trust Combination: Some couples choose to combine the features of both a Credit Shelter Trust and a Marital Trust in their complex will. This allows for a more flexible distribution of assets, ensuring that both spouses' wishes are respected, and maximizing the estate tax benefits. Overall, a Texas Complex Will — Max. Credit Shelter Marital Trust to Children is a sophisticated estate planning tool that requires professional guidance to ensure proper execution. It offers a strategic way to protect wealth, minimize tax liabilities, and provide for the financial well-being of the surviving spouse and children.