Fiduciary Services

Initial appointment:  Frankly, it is rare that someone comes to us for fiduciary services without meeting first for either Estate Planning or for a Guardianship / Conservatorship.  Most of the time, people meet with one of our attorneys, find that they cannot answer the basic question of who should manage the finances, and then this discussion takes place as part of the Estate Planning or Guardianship / Conservatorship appointment.  So, we don't have a standard answer for "What should you expect at your Fiduciary Services Appointment?".  If you come in for this kind of an appointment, without it being linked to Estate Planning or Guardianship / Conservatorship, we will wing it!   

Annual Review: When you have selected us to serve as a fiduciary, we have initiated a process where we will meet with you once a year to review your personal and financial status, gather family information and discuss your concerns.  That will allow us to be ready to serve whenever the need arises.  We will discuss such issues as:

• Family Members: how have your family members and beneficiaries changed in terms of their maturity, their financial concerns?  Any concerns about in-laws?  What are your hopes for your grandchildren?  Have you gifted money to anyone?  Are there loans that should be repaid? 
• Pets: what pets do you have and who can be relied on to watch the pets?  Who is the veterinarian? 
• Financial Resources: what are your financial resources and how have they changed?  What income do you receive?  Who does your taxes?  Who is your financial advisor?  What insurance do you have?
• Practical questions such as:  where are your keys, and who has copies?  Where do you store your pin numbers and passwords (we will never ask for the pin numbers or passwords themselves).  Are there assets of unusual value in the home, or other assets that require special care? 

We will keep this information with your file.  You can relax, knowing that we will be ready to act when needed.