Upon Death or Incapacity Letter

A document that provides pertinent information on the location and status of a decedent's financial information. The letter should contain the location of personal papers such as the will, birth certificate, and insurance policies, as well as banking, brokerage, and credit card numbers.

Qualified Domestic Relations Order

(QDRO)

A court order as part of a divorce proceeding that requires the plan administrator to pay benefits to an alternate payee, who can be the participant's former spouse, child, or other dependent.

Nonspringing Durable Power of Attorney

Becomes effective upon execution.

Springing Durable Power of Attorney

Becomes operative only at the principal's incapacity.

Standby Trust

A trust that is not funded immediately after execution.

Conservatorship

A court-appointed and supervised party that is used when neither a will nor a revocable trust document is present.