How to Enroll in the Master Pooled Trust

Enrolling in The Arc of Texas Master Pooled Trust is simple! Just follow these three easy steps:

1. Decide how you want to fund your family member’s trust. The money you place in trust could come from a variety of sources—some that you have access to now, and others that may not become available until the time of your retirement or death. These sources could include: a will, a life insurance policy, your estate, a court settlement, a gift, a retirement account, or even cash from your savings.
   
   You also should consider how and when you want your family member to begin using his or her trust. If you have a young child, for example, you may want to use money from your savings to open an account in his name now, and add to it as he is growing, so that when he moves out of your home, he will have supplemental funds to help meet his needs. If your adult family member lives with you, you may only need to plan for him to use his trust disbursements when you are no longer able to care for him.
   
   The source of money for your family member’s trust will determine whether the account you open will be "funded" or "non-funded." Assets placed in funded accounts will be invested so they will have an opportunity to grow. Even if your family member begins using his disbursements immediately, the balance will still earn interest and/or dividends. If your assets will not become available until sometime in the future, you can open a non-funded account. Many families choose this option so they can make sure the trust is set up properly while they are still living and so they can put in writing—through the legally binding "joinder agreement" (see step 3)—their wishes for how the trust disbursements will be used. Plus, there are no annual fees for non-funded accounts. After you've paid the enrollment fee, you will not be charged any maintenance fees until the account is actually funded. Family Stories
   
   
2. Consult with an attorney or certified financial planner. We recommend that you seek the independent advice of an experienced estate planning attorney or certified financial planner who can help you prepare the necessary documents and advise you about any relevant tax issues. The Arc may be able to provide you with the name of an attorney in your area who will provide services at a reduced rate for families who want to establish a Master Pooled Trust account.
   
   
3. Complete the "Joinder Agreement." The "joinder agreement" is the legal document you fill out to establish a Master Pooled Trust account. You will need to provide some basic information about the beneficiary, the source of funding for the trust, and your wishes for how the disbursements will be used. The agreement should take only a few minutes to complete. Be sure to include your check for the enrollment fee along with the completed "joinder agreement".