We serve in both financial and health care related legal appointments, both as the primary agent and/or supporting the agent. Please see our Services Page for more detail.

Yes, we maintain errors and omissions coverage with one of the three providers that provides coverage specific to the private professional fiduciary industry. We are happy to provide greater detail and/or proof of coverage upon request.

• University of California Santa Barbara, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and immunology, 2005
• Licensed California Professional Fiduciary, 2010
• Certification in Professional Fiduciary Management for Trustees, 2010
• Certification in Professional Fiduciary Management for Conservators, 2010
• National Certified Guardian, 2010
• Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), 2017
• Santa Barbara Estate Planning Council member since 2015
• Over twelve years of experience as a trustee in California

Lindsay provides her cell phone number to all clients appointing her in their Advanced Health Care Directive and as needed. We are regularly available after hours when needed by our clients.

We maintain best-in-class policies and procedures which we regularly review and assess. These controls include locked physical files, password vaults, an ADT security system, professional IT services, on-site and off-site back-ups, and, of course, we have Lexa. We are happy to provide more detail upon request.

Lindsay has a best-in-class estate plan of her own, which include legal documents and supplementary instructions for her agents, specifically regarding her business. In Lindsay’s incapacity or absence, another fiduciary is named in Lindsay’s documents to ensure continuity of services through any transition. Of course, our clients’ estate plans may also have language regarding what happens in Lindsay’s inability to act.

Yes. We maintain multiple on-site and off-site back-ups, which are regularly monitored. In addition, we employ IT professionals that keep up-to-date with best-in-class practices and procedures for our systems and data.

We have a team to serve your needs.

Our team is structured as follows:

• Private Professional Fiduciary
• Controller | Accounting Associate
• Client Services
  • Director
  • Associate
  • Administrative

Yes. In addition to our Testimonials page, we maintain an update-to-date references report, with professional and client contact info, available upon request.

Successor Fiduciary Appointment Planning: Our Process

1. Initial Consultation. During our Initial Consultation, we will get to know each other and review your current circumstances, unique needs and goals. If we’re a good fit and you want to work with us, we will enter in to a formal engagement and often jump into gathering data.
2. Client Homework. You’ll complete a comprehensive questionnaire that ensures we capture complete and pertinent information to your individual circumstances, planning, intent, and wishes. You’ll also provide us with a copy of the draft estate planning documents you intend to appoint us in.  We may also discuss/recommend Client use/preparation of a Letter of Intent, Personal Property Memorandum, Professional/Personal Contact Information & Password Index. These are not legal documents, but can help us efficiently serve you when the need arises.
3. We do the rest! (Well, almost.) We’ll review your existing and/or proposed estate planning documents, asset ownership and other estate planning-related matters, facilitate follow-up communications as needed, and establish your internal file.
4. Plan Maintenance. Once the initial scope of work is completed, you’ll keep SBF and your planning up-to-date via periodic follow-ups, at least every three to five years. (Ask us about our discounted Client Maintenance Program!)

Consultation Services. Our services can be engaged prior to the terms of the appointing legal document by means of a consultative agreement. Please feel free to reach out to us at anytime if you are interested in help with a legal, financial, insurance, tax, property or healthcare matter that you may be seeking help with.

Yes, we serve in legal appointments and provide supportive services to those serving in legal appointments.

Our follow-up policy is tailored to the needs/wants of our clients. As a standard practice, we send out birthday and holiday cards.

Contact Us! Let us know you are interested by contacting us by phone, email, or the web. We will follow-up to make sure that our office is the best fit for your fiduciary needs and to schedule your Initial Consultation.  You may request a copy of our 1-page Fiduciary Services Planning Session Agreement by submitting a contact form with the request.

TEP stands for Trust and Estate Practitioner, and is the designation given to full members of STEP – the worldwide professional association for those advising families across generations.

STEP members are from a range of professions, including accountancy, banking, financial advice, law, tax advice and trust administration.

To become a TEP, practitioners must have a combination of specialist qualifications and experience, including significant involvement with planning, creation, management of and accounting for trusts and estates, executorship administration and related taxes.

What do TEPs do?

As specialists in inheritance and succession planning, TEPs implement wills and trusts, administer estates, act as trustees and advise families on how best to structure their finances to ensure compliance and preserve their assets for future generations.

In their professional practice, TEPs often help people at difficult or emotional times, such as after the death of a close family member. Some examples of what TEPs may advise on are:

• providing for an individual following their partner’s death, while protecting the interests of their children
• ensuring elderly or vulnerable relatives are cared for and supported
• helping families with interests spread across the world to be compliant with the laws and tax rules of different countries
• ensuring that a family business will pass safely from one generation to another
• helping clients to support charitable causes in an effective way.

Why use a TEP?

Choosing a professional to help you to deal with such important and often sensitive issues can be difficult. Many aspects of planning are non-regulated, meaning anyone can write a will, for example, regardless of training or expertise. With a TEP, you’re in safe hands.

Expertise: TEPs are recognised experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience. By joining STEP and maintaining their membership they have also shown significant commitment to their continued professional development in this specialist area.

Integrity: TEPs are subject to an extensive Code of Professional Conduct requiring them at all times to act with integrity and in a manner that inspires the confidence, respect and trust of their clients and of the wider community. These professional standards provide you with a clear understanding of what to expect from a TEP, and importantly if you feel one of our members is not acting in accordance with these standards, you have recourse to STEPs Complaints and Disciplinary Process.

Knowledge: TEPs are required to maintain and develop the knowledge and skills relevant to their role as a condition of their continued membership. This means TEPs will always be up to date with the latest legal, technical and regulatory developments that may affect you and your situation.

Connections: TEPs have access to a global network of 20,000 professionals, enabling them to share knowledge and expertise across professional and geographic boundaries and to offer a joined-up service that can really add value to you as a client.