Professional fiduciaries provide critical services to adults (typically seniors), persons with disabilities, and children. They manage matters for clients including daily care, housing and medical needs, and can serve as healthcare advocates, and offer financial management services ranging from basic bill paying to estate and investment management.
The Professional Fiduciaries Bureau, with the California Department of Consumer Affairs regulates CA Licensed Professional Fiduciaries (CLPF). They must show proof of a four-year degree or work under another Professional Fiduciary; obtain a Certification through an approved University; pass rigorous California state and national exams; and undergo a criminal background check.
We can serve as a Successor Trustee, an Executor, a Conservator of the Person and/or Estate, a Guardian, a Probate Administrator and Power of Attorney for finance.
Working with your attorney, you can add the name of a Professional Fiduciary just as you would a family member or friend.
When a couple does not have children or they live too far away from family/friends or their family/friends are not capable of serving in this role, it can be helpful to name a Professional Fiduciary. Fiduciaries are unbiased, third parties that are required to put their client’s interests before their own (their “fiduciary duty”). They are also licensed by the State of California, bonded and must carry Errors & Omissions insurance.
Most fiduciaries charge by the hour. Our rates are included on our websites and can be provided upon request. In some cases, a percentage of the entire estate will be billed. It can also depend on the instructions in the Trust document.