• Mutual NDA (MNDA)

  • Execute a bilateral NDA between the grantor/settlor and the prospective trustee.

  • Ensure coverage for financials, medical information, estate documents, and any third‑party advisors.

• Identity & Capacity Verification

  • Trustee provides ID, proof of address, and any required background disclosures.

  • Settlor provides ID and confirms legal capacity to appoint a trustee.

• Conflict‑of‑Interest Review

  • Trustee confirms no conflicts with beneficiaries, creditors, or related entities.

• Define Trust Purpose & Scope

  • Revocable, irrevocable, special‑purpose, IRA‑owned trust, MAPT, etc.

• Draft Trust Instrument

  • Include trustee powers, successor trustee provisions, distribution standards, investment authority, indemnification, and compensation.

• Ancillary Trust Documents

  • Trustee acceptance form

  • Trustee resignation/removal provisions

  • Trust certification/abstract for banks and custodians

  • Schedule of assets (initial and anticipated)

This is where you wanted explicit inclusion of POAs, medical POAs, and related authorities.

A. Financial Authority

• Durable Power of Attorney (Financial)

  • Grants the trustee or another agent authority over financial matters not held in trust.

  • Ensure durability language and state‑specific execution requirements.

• Limited POAs

  • For specific transactions (e.g., real estate, IRA custodian interactions, insurance claims).

B. Medical & Personal Authority

• Medical Power of Attorney / Healthcare Proxy

  • Appoints an agent for medical decisions (may or may not be the trustee).

• Advance Healthcare Directive / Living Will

  • Specifies end‑of‑life preferences and treatment limitations.

• HIPAA Authorization

  • Grants the trustee or agent access to medical records and providers.

C. Fiduciary & Administrative Authority

• Power of Attorney for Trust Administration (if applicable)

  • Allows the trustee to delegate certain administrative tasks.

• Digital Asset Authorization

  • Covers online accounts, cloud storage, crypto keys, and digital property.

• Document Execution Ceremony

  • All trust documents, POAs, and directives signed with proper witnesses and notarization.

• Recordation (if required)

  • Real estate deeds

  • Trustee affidavits

  • County‑level filings for homestead or life‑estate structures

• Certification Delivery

  • Provide certified copies to banks, custodians, medical providers, and advisors.

• Retitling of Assets

  • Bank accounts, brokerage accounts, real estate, business interests, insurance policies.

• Beneficiary Designation Review

  • Ensure alignment with trust structure (especially for IRAs, annuities, and life insurance).

• Trust EIN (if required)

  • Obtain from IRS for irrevocable or grantor‑trust structures needing separate reporting.

• Custodian & Financial Institution Onboarding

  • Submit trust certification, trustee ID, and any required POAs.

• Insurance Review

  • Property, liability, umbrella, trustee E&O, and any special‑purpose coverage.

Distribute Medical POA & HIPAA Forms

• Primary care physician

• Specialists

• Hospitals

• Emergency contacts

• Create Emergency Binder / Digital Vault

  • Medical directives

  • Insurance cards

  • Medication list

  • Contact list for trustee, agents, and advisors

• Trustee Policies & Procedures

  • Investment policy statement

  • Distribution policy

  • Recordkeeping standards

  • Communication protocols with beneficiaries

• Annual Compliance Calendar

  • Tax filings

  • Required distributions

  • Annual trust review

  • Insurance renewals

• Successor Trustee Activation Plan

  • Clear triggers

  • Notification procedures

  • Document handoff protocol

• Annual Legal Review

  • Ensure trust remains compliant with state law and settlor’s intent.

• Financial Review

  • Investment performance

  • Liquidity needs

  • Beneficiary changes

• Medical & POA Review

  • Update healthcare directives and agents as needed.