PatriotGuard 







Standing Watch Over Military Legacies  





 “Guided by Wisdom / Driven by Duty / Valued by Results”   (sm)

We’re honored by your visit and proud to share with you who we are, what we stand for and how our mission-driven approach to fiduciary relationships sets us apart—rooted in integrity, discretion and professional expertise.

You are invited to explore the full scope of trust solutions that we offer, meet the seasoned professionals behind our operations and become acquainted with our core values that guide our every decision.

PatriotGuard is dedicated to serving military personnel and their families; committed to earning your trust through exceptional service, long-term success and a relationship built on transparency, responsiveness and gratitude.                                                                        

Mark Clemons, JD
Private Trustee
Co-Owner, PatriotGuard, Division of MonteClare, LLC

Bob Fletcher, CTFA, CISP, CFMP                                                                                                      Private Trustee                                                                                                 
Co-Owner, PatriotGuard, Division of MonteClare, LLC

Company

PatriotGuard serves as a division of MonteClare, LLC, a boutique, South Dakota licensed LLC business entity (Limited Liability Company) providing a host of non-fiduciary administrative, accounting and support activities for trusts, agencies, executors, guardianships and escrows primrily for military members and their families.

Additional trust solutions include select speciality asset administration of non-marketable assets such as family residence, operating business, minerals and intellectual properties, plus fiduciary accounting support and dispute resolution.

Mark Clemons, Birch Bay, Washington and Raymond R. (Bob) Fletcher, San Antonio, Texas, owners of PatriotGuard, division of MonteClare, serve as "Private Trustees" in their individual fiduciary capacities (not as "Trust Officers" of a bank or trust company) to serve the needs of individuals and families to help them protect, preserve, grow and transition their legacy wealth to future generations.

Mark and Bob are nationally recognized and widely respected as trust professionals capable, proficient, accomplished and knowledgeable in handling complex fiduciary, tax and legal issues.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Qualified, Experienced Trust Professionals
 • Personalized Attention 
• Quicker Response
• Greater Flexibility
• Reasoned Judgment
• Streamlined Processes
 • Client Safeguards  
• Lower Costs   

Our Mission

PatriotGuard's mission is to protect and preserve the financial legacies of U.S. military families by providing trusted, disciplined and personalized trust services. We proudly serve those who serve—working in close partnership with military-focused financial advisors and professional JAG officers (and military-focused civilian attorneys) to deliver estate and trust solutions that reflect the unique needs, values, and sacrifices of military life.

Grounded in principles of honor, integrity, discretion and continuity, we are committed to earning the trust of service members, veterans and their families through every phase of their financial journey—ensuring their futures are safeguarded with the same care and commitment they’ve given to our nation. 

What We Offer

PatriotGuard makes available a host of trust solutions designed to fulfill beneficiaries' needs, preferences and expectations.

 • Living • Testamentary • Asset Protection • Dynasty 
 • Settlement • Special Needs  • Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts • Charitable • Agencies  • Guardianships
• Estate Settlement  

Who We Serve

PatriotGuard is dedicated exclusively to serving U.S. military families—past, present, and future.

We proudly support:
• Active-Duty Service Members Across all branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force—whether stationed stateside or deployed overseas.
• Veterans and Retirees Including those who have completed their service but continue to prioritize the long-term protection and transition of their assets and legacy.
• Reservists and National Guard Members Whose financial planning must balance both civilian and military responsibilities.
• Surviving Spouses and Dependents We help ensure that the benefits, protections, and intentions of their loved ones are honored with the respect and continuity they deserve.
• Military-Focused Financial Advisors and Estate Professionals.

PatriotGuard collaborates closely with those who specialize in guiding military families, including JAG officers, financial advisors and estate attorneys coupled with individual, professional independent trustees, to deliver integrated, mission-ready trust solutions.

Whether planning during active service, navigating transition to civilian life or securing a legacy for future generations, PatriotGuard stands ready to serve those who have served—with honor, confidentiality, and an unwavering commitment to their values and goals. 

Qualifications and Experience

Mark Clemons and Bob Fletcher, co-owners of MonteClare's PatriotGuard serve as Private Trustees in their individual fiduciary capacities as seasoned trust professionals--qualified, experienced, trained and credentialied--nationally recognized and highly regarded specialists.

Mark and Bob have served in many varied fiduciary capacities throughout their respective careers and have been recognized for their achievements and accomplishments, 

How It Works

• PatriotGuard's approach centers on qualified, experienced individual professional trustees that offer clients a high-touch, relationship-based fiduciary experience delivered by a network of independent, individual professional trustees, led by PatriotGuard's owners Mark Clemons and Bob Fletcher, serving as "Private Trustees" (not as "Trust Officers" of a bank or trust company), acting in their individual fiduciary or agent capacities.

• As fiduciaries, their duty is to:
---Accept and close accounts
---Manage trusts (and similar type accounts) and make fiduciary decisions
---Authorize disbursements (pay bills) and distributions (payments to beneficiaies)

• Mark and Bob, as will other independent, individual trustees serving clients under this program, will contract with PatriotGuard to serve as their agent to perform ministerial, non-fiduciary administrative duties on their behalf, including accounting and reporting.

Fiduciary Standard of Conduct

Mark Clemons and Bob Fletcher are solely responsible and accountable for properly discharging their fiduciary duties and responsibilities and are held to the highest standard of fiduciary conduct--the ethical and legal obligation to act in the best interests of those they serve-- whether it is as trustee for beneificiaries or agent for principals.

white boat on dock during daytime

Evolution of Trust Law Ties to Military Service

Origins of trust law, though appearing civilian in nature, are intricately interwoven with military contexts, demonstrating the long-standing need for protective mechanisms for assets during periods of military service.

Earliest form of trusts emerged in ancient Rome around 800 AD when property owners (including soldiers facing deployment) would create a trust-like arrangement entrusting their assets to a friend to manage for the benefit of others, such as their families.

Since development of 12th century trust law under jurisdiction of the King of England, trusts have evolved into a fundamental tool used to protect assets.

Evolution of trust law, with its Roman and English roots tied to military service, showcases its enduring relevance for military families today.
Trusts continue to be a vital tool for safeguarding assets, providing for loved ones and managing financial affairs during deployments and across different duty stations.

Modern-day trusts represent contractual arrangements setting forth terms and provisions as to the purpose of the trust and, furthermore, provide for a “trustee” to carry-out the terms and provisions of the trust.

A trustee may be a person, such as a family member or professional advisor, or it may be an institution, like a bank or trust company.

Trust arrangements are becoming ever more popular and experiencing growing demand from individuals and families that recognize the important benefits of properly protecting, preserving, growing and transitioning generational wealth in an efficient and safe manner.

PatriotGuad invites you to explore our website to gain an understanding of  innovative trust solutions that can accomplish your goals and create peace of mind.