U.S. trust services

Q: What are trust services?

Trust services encompass the administration and management of trusts, which are legal arrangements where one party, known as the trustee, holds and manages assets for the benefit of another party, the beneficiary. These services include investment management, tax planning, accounting, and distribution of assets according to the terms of the trust.

Q: What does a trustee do?

A trustee is responsible for various aspects of trust administration, including safeguarding trust assets, managing investments, interpreting trust terms, making distributions, and ensuring compliance with legal and tax obligations. Trustees may also provide guidance to beneficiaries on managing their inheritance and understanding the benefits of the trust.

Q: How much do trust services cost?

The cost of trust services varies based on the complexity and scope of the trust, the types of assets involved, and the specific services required. Fees may include asset management charges, administrative fees, and costs associated with tax preparation and legal compliance. It is advisable to discuss the fee structure with your trustee to understand the costs involved.

Q: Why are trust services important?

Trust services are crucial for ensuring the proper management and transition of wealth according to your wishes. They help preserve assets, enhance tax efficiency, safeguard privacy, and protect assets from potential creditors. Trust services also provide professional oversight and continuity, which can be particularly beneficial for complex and multi-generational estate plans.

Q: What are the different capacities trustees can serve in?

Trustees can serve in various capacities, including sole trustee, co-trustee, directed trustee, and agent for trustee. As a sole trustee, they have full responsibility for managing and distributing trust assets. Co-trustees share these responsibilities with other individuals. Directed trustees follow instructions from an appointed advisor regarding investments and distributions. Agents for trustees assume select responsibilities while the primary trustee retains ultimate control.

Q: Why choose a corporate trustee?

Choosing a corporate trustee offers several advantages, including professional expertise, continuity, and impartial decision-making. Corporate trustees bring significant experience in managing complex trusts and estates, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and providing objective advice. They can serve multiple generations, offer cost-effective services, and manage conflicts of interest effectively, providing peace of mind and stability for your estate plan.

You’ve been thinking carefully about how to safeguard your assets and ensure they are managed according to your wishes, whether that means supporting your family, charitable causes, or future generations. For families like yours, that often means setting up a trust. A trust is a legal arrangement where the owner, known as the grantor, transfers assets to be managed by a trustee for the benefit of another one or more beneficiaries.

But once you’ve decided on your structure and terms, you have another critical choice: Who will oversee your trust? That’s where an experienced and knowledgeable trustee can make all the difference.

Your trustee has a profound responsibility to you as well as to your trust’s beneficiaries—for years, decades or even across multiple generations. If you want the job done right, you need a trustee with the skills of an investor, accountant, administrator and communicator. Choosing a trustee who brings all of these qualities is a wise investment in your legacy.

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Trust services to support your legacy

Ability to navigate administrative complexities

From managing complex tax return processes to trust accounting and maintaining all trust records, we can perform the responsibilities that extend throughout the life of your trust.

Investment management experience

We offer investment guidance along with portfolio and asset allocation strategy implementation with the goal of growing the assets held in your trust.

Relieving the stress of trust management

Whether you wish to direct distributions or leave that to our discretion, we will review requests as a neutral 3rd party to confirm that the trust agreement is being honored.