Military-Style Trust Solutions:Protecting Legacies with Precision and Purpose
Military families face unique legal, financial and geographic challenges that demand more than a standard trust plan. Frequent relocations, cross-state property ownership, deployment risks and security clearance considerations require specialized structures to ensure protection, continuity and compliance—no matter where duty calls.
PatriotGuard’s military-style trust solutions are designed with these realities in mind, offering flexible, mission-ready options that safeguard assets, streamline cross-jurisdictional management and honor your wishes for generations to come.
From deployment contingency trusts to privacy-enhanced structures for security-cleared personnel, each solution is built to match the precision, discipline and adaptability of the families we serve.
1. Deployment-Ready Revocable Living Trusts
• Ensure continuous management of financial affairs during deployments or overseas assignments
• Avoid probate in multiple states due to frequent relocations
• Allow seamless transitions between duty stations without disrupting financial plans
2. Military Survivor Support Trusts
• Coordinate with SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan) and VA death benefits
• Provide structured income and asset protection for surviving spouses and dependent children
• Preserve benefits eligibility (e.g., for minor or disabled children) without overexposure to direct inheritance
3. Guardianship and Contingency Trusts for Minor Children
• Appoint successor guardians and trustees in alignment with military mobility
• Maintain control over education, healthcare and living standards across jurisdictions
4. Special Needs Trusts for Disabled Veterans or Dependents
• Preserve access to VA, Tricare, SSDI, or Medicaid benefits
• Provide supplemental care and services without disqualifying the beneficiary from essential support programs
Needs of military families with children with disabilities are addressed through Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), which allow for financial support while maintaining eligibility for other government benefits. The Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 allowed military members to direct payment of their Survivor Benefit Plan annuity for a dependent child to an SNT,
5. Retirement Benefit Coordinatin Trusts
• Integrate TSP (Thrift Savings Plan), military pensions and rollover IRAs into a tax-efficient trust structure
• Ensure orderly transition of retirement assets upon death or incapacity
6. PCS-Aware Estate Planning
• Address multi-state or international legal considerations tied to frequent Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves
• Structure trusts to remain valid and enforceable regardless of where the family resides
7. Privacy-Enhanced Trusts for High-Profile Officers or Security-Cleared Personnel
• Maintain confidentiality through private trust structures.
• Minimize public court involvement in estate administration.
8. Legacy Trusts for Generational Wealth Transfer
• Enable long-term, multigenerational control over family assets
• Protect against creditor claims, divorce, or poor financial decisions by future heir
9. Testamentary and Standby Trusts Coordinated with Military Wills
• Developed in collaboration with JAG officers to ensure alignment with base legal office wills and documents
• Automatically activate upon death or incapacitation
10. Dual-Spouse Service Trust Planning
• Coordinate trust structures for households where both spouses are serving or have served
• Provide continuity in the event of simultaneous or staggered deployments or unexpected loss
11. Additional Planning Services for Military Families
• Medical directives compliant across state lines and overseas bases
• Durable powers of attorney designed for rapid activation during mobilization
• Asset protection trusts for military contractors or veterans in high-risk civilian careers
• Charitable trusts for donations to military foundations, academies, or unit memorials