This will take you 6 minutes to read—and could make or break your legacy.
Estate planning isn’t just about who gets what. It’s about who gets to decide.
Fiduciaries are the people (or institutions) you empower to carry out your wishes. They’re legally bound to act in your best interests and serve as the foundation of every effective estate plan.
If you name the wrong fiduciary—or fail to name one at all—your entire plan could unravel.
Let’s break down who these decision-makers are, what they’re responsible for, and how to choose wisely.
When you create a will, you name an executor—the person in charge after you pass.
Their fiduciary duties include:
- Locating and valuing your assets
- Paying off any debts or taxes
- Distributing what’s left to your beneficiaries
They must do this with total honesty, transparency, and loyalty to your wishes. If they make a mistake—or worse, act in bad faith—your family could suffer.
Want to learn how to name the right executor?
Join our July 8th seminar and get expert guidance from the Collins Law Group team.
If you have a living trust, your successor trustee steps in after you pass (or if you become incapacitated).
Trustees are fiduciaries too. Their job?
- Protect the trust’s assets
- Follow your instructions to the letter
- Manage distributions to beneficiaries fairly and responsibly
You can even structure the trust to make distributions gradually, protect against spendthrift behavior, or support special needs care.
For irrevocable trusts (used for tax reduction or asset protection), the trustee’s role becomes even more crucial—they must follow strict legal guidelines and interpret your wishes with care.
Want to keep control—without putting your loved ones in legal jeopardy?
Reserve your seat for our in-person seminar on Tuesday, July 8th.
We’ll show you how to structure your plan around rock-solid fiduciaries.
If you don’t name someone to manage your affairs when you can’t… the court will.
That’s where conservatorships come in. The state appoints someone to manage your finances or healthcare—and you might not even know them.
Avoid this nightmare with:
- A Durable Financial Power of Attorney
- A Healthcare Proxy (Power of Attorney for Health Care)
- A HIPAA Release
These fiduciaries act with your best interests in mind—and because you chose them, not the state.
Don’t wait for a crisis. Our July 8th event will show you how to build an incapacity plan that protects your dignity and your dollars.
If you have minor children, naming a guardian is one of the most powerful things you can do.
A guardian’s fiduciary duty includes:
- Providing day-to-day care
- Making decisions about health, education, and safety
- Managing inherited funds (unless a trustee is named)
Don’t leave this up to chance. If the court must choose, your kids’ future could look very different from what you intended.
Every estate plan is only as strong as the people who carry it out.
Take the time to choose:
- Executors who are organized and trustworthy
- Trustees who understand your vision
- Medical agents who will advocate for you
- Guardians who reflect your values
And then put it all in writing—so the law protects your voice.
Join us in Inglewood on Tuesday, July 8th.
The Collins Law Group team will walk you through everything you need to name and empower the right fiduciaries.
️ Reserve your seat here
Collins Law Group. Protecting families and their futures for over 40 years. (310) 677-9787
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