Legacy of Love: The Most Meaningful Gift from Your Estate
empower-your-legacy
Trust Administration Horror Stories: How to Avoid a Scary Situation
Estate planning can be a complex and sensitive matter, and we often look to celebrities for lessons in what not to do. The unfortunate tales of celebrities like Aretha Franklin and Prince—and the subsequent family dramas—serve as cautionary tales for everyone. At Santa Barbara Fiduciary, we understand that it’s crucial to navigate trust administration with…
Unlocking Clarity and Control: The Importance of Understanding Your Estate Plan
Creating an estate plan is a vital step in securing your financial future and protecting your loved ones. However, it’s not enough to simply have a plan. To ensure its efficacy and gain true peace of mind, you must understand what each document aims to achieve. Below, we’ll explore the must-have documents that every estate…
Safeguarding the Financial Security of a Loved One with Alzheimer’s
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and the impact it can have on individuals and their families. As Alzheimer’s progresses, managing finances can become increasingly challenging—in fact, some of the earliest warning signs of dementia include money mismanagement. Recognizing these signs—and taking proactive steps to protect…
Prevent a Succession-Inspired Drama: 5 Tips to Prevent Fighting Over Your Final Wishes
If you haven’t watched HBO’s series “Succession” yet, it revolves around a family that owns a media conglomerate. The show delves into the power struggles among family members as they vie for control of the family business while also grappling with their patriarch’s failing health. These themes resonate with the everyday challenges we’ve seen at…
How a Professional Fiduciary Can Support Your Investment Advisor or Financial Planner
The world of money management is a jungle, so it only makes sense that you would build an ecosystem of advisors to ensure your financial and investment planning stays on track. A professional fiduciary is a key player in this arrangement and can support you in everything from day-to-day money management to acting as your…
Should You Be Both the Health Care Agent & Attorney-in-Fact for Your Aging Loved Ones?
As our loved ones age, it’s important that they have a thoughtful plan in place for both care and finances, before they develop dementia or otherwise become incapacitated. In California, complete estate plans include an Advanced Health Care Directive (AHCD) and durable power of attorney (POA). While immediate health care decisions are typically delegated to…
Barbara Liss, Artist
Meet Barbara Liss, The Artist Some of you know as her as our esteemed colleague, many of you know her as a beloved part of the Santa Barbara estate planning community, and now we would like to introduce her to you as an artist. As Barbara advances toward complete retirement from the fiduciary services field…
Protecting Seniors from Financial Scams and Fraud
Elderly Americans are too often the targets of financial scams. Although people of any age may become victims of fraud, scammers often specifically target seniors because they are frequently more trusting and may not be as cognitively aware as younger people. Whether the fraudsters enact their schemes via phone, email, or in person, it’s important…
3 Realistic New Year’s Resolutions to Safeguard Your Future
As we head deeper into 2023, now is the time to reflect on the past year, and to set aspirations for the year ahead. This time around, however, instead of making the same old weight loss, exercise, or eating healthy resolutions, focus on a resolution committed to safeguarding your personal and financial affairs. This year,…
