If you’re like many Americans, you may not have worked out all the details of your estate and how you want it to be handled, including whether or not to use an Irrevocable Trust.A 2021 Gallup poll found that only 33 percent of Americans have a will, but there are many other ways to plan […]
We are proud to present this month’s webinar “Introduction to Trusts”. Independent Trust’s Fran DeMaris will walk attendees through the ins and outs of trust terminology and help provide a better understanding of the purpose of having a trust account, and how it can benefit the family of the person who created it. What Are […]
Identifying clients already in your book of business that have or need a trust advisor is a great way for financial advisors to expand and cement hard earned relationships. Understanding how trusts influence decisions your client’s families make and how they can transform a good financial advisor into a family friend and confidant. Many advisors […]
Being the executor of an estate is a big responsibility that is often a more complicated endeavor than many anticipate. Here at Independent Trust, we receive many inquiries from people currently acting as well as those considering acting as executor or personal representative (PR) of an estate. To help we created “So You Want To […]
Clients don’t buy products or services, they buy solutions and results. A solution we provide that sets our firm apart is our coverage of Unique Assets. Independent Trust clients typically own stocks, bonds and other liquid investments, but also illiquid investments (a vacation property, a share of the family business, oil wells, a collection of antique cars, etc). Many firms decline […]
We know that establishing a trust is the best way to ensure your wealth is preserved for the generations to come but what happens after the trust is created and you’re still living? Do you appoint a corporate trustee right now? How do you stay in charge of your money while still setting the trust up […]
They say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but when it comes to your trust, how do you know it’s working? What does success look like when evaluating trustee performance and ultimately the need to change trustees? Your trust was created to provide for you today and ensure success for tomorrow. Having the right […]
We aren’t shy about our belief that it is a conflict of interest to be both the trustee and the investment manager for a trust. This is why we stick to administering personal trusts and deliver promptly on cash commitments, annual reviews, taxes, and statements. It’s also why we work with many financial advisors throughout […]
When working with clients, we often hear that they are uncomfortable talking about their trusts because “it’s just not something we talked about in our family”. We believe that communication is imperative to the successful management of your trust. This is a big part of our work with clients: getting clear on the intent of […]
As fifth generation trustees, we have seen it all. From family conflicts to the mismanagement of funds and the promises of others to be our financial savior, having a trust can easily become complicated. The one thing we know to be true? The company managing your trust can only have one priority: the management of […]