A Franklin Ohio Qualified Domestic Trust (DOT) Agreement is a legal document that allows a non-U.S. citizen surviving spouse to take advantage of the marital deduction, thereby deferring estate taxes until the surviving spouse's death. This agreement ensures that the surviving spouse will continue to receive income from assets held in the trust, while still meeting the requirements set by the U.S. tax authorities. Franklin Ohio offers several types of Qualified Domestic Trust Agreements. These include: 1. Franklin Ohio Marital Deduction Qualified Domestic Trust Agreement: This type of trust agreement is designed to provide the surviving spouse with income from trust assets, while ensuring that the estate taxes are deferred until the spouse's death. It helps in minimizing tax implications and managing wealth efficiently. 2. Franklin Ohio Exemption Qualified Domestic Trust Agreement: This trust agreement is specifically designed for non-U.S. citizen surviving spouses who have a relatively smaller estate. It allows for an exemption amount granted by the U.S. tax authorities, which helps in reducing the overall taxes owed. 3. Franklin Ohio Access Provision Qualified Domestic Trust Agreement: This type of trust agreement allows the surviving spouse to have certain rights to principal distributions, in addition to receiving income from trust assets. It offers more flexibility for the surviving spouse to access the assets when needed. 4. Franklin Ohio Contingent Beneficiaries Qualified Domestic Trust Agreement: This trust agreement is created with contingent beneficiaries in mind. It ensures that if the surviving spouse passes away without utilizing the assets fully, the remaining trust assets will be distributed to the designated contingent beneficiaries, usually children or other family members. It is essential to work with an experienced estate planning attorney when establishing a Franklin Ohio Qualified Domestic Trust Agreement to ensure its compliance with federal and state laws. These agreements require thorough documentation, specific language, and meeting various eligibility criteria to qualify as a DOT, providing financial security to non-U.S. citizen surviving spouses.