Contact us to learn about additional fiduciary appointments we accept and serve in.
Our Services
Fiduciary Appointments
Our Process
When you’re a Santa Barbara Fiduciary client, you’ll experience a level of service and personal attention that’s hard to find elsewhere. Our team will take the time to get to know you, your life, and your family — the financial intricacies as well as the personal dynamics — and work in partnership with you to achieve your goals. With more than ten years experience, we’re able to offer you the best solutions and implementation for your situation.
Review
We’ll review your planning, objectives and wishes to make sure that we understand where you are and what you want to achieve.
Design
We’ll design a comprehensive plan to ensure your expressed goals are met.
Implement
With your approval, we implement the agreed upon plan.
Maintain
We’ll maintain your plan and monitor for any changes, which may warrant an update in strategy or documentation.
Why should you choose us?
Because the work we’re doing now is better than the work we were doing six months ago. And the work we’ll be doing six months from now will be better than the work we’re doing today. Because we wake up every day with a sense of WHY we come to work. We come to work to honor the planning, life and intent of our Clients and empower them to feel and live confidently throughout life transitions.
Are we better than our competition?
If you believe what we believe and you believe that the things we do can help you, then we’re better. If you don’t believe what we believe and you don’t believe the things we can do will help you, then we’re not better. Our goal is to find Clients who believe what we believe and work together so that we can all succeed. We’re looking for people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in pursuit of the same goal. We’re not interested in sitting across a table from each other in pursuit of a deal. Our website highlights only some of the things that we’re doing to advance our cause … If you would like us to elaborate more, just reach out.
Benefits of Working With Us
Santa Barbara Fiduciary brings our client best-in class services with unique and quality benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
fi· du· cia· ry | fə-ˈdü-shē-ˌer-ē
: of, relating to, or involving a confidence or trust: such as
a: held or founded in trust or confidence
// a fiduciary relationship
// a bank’s fiduciary obligations
The role of a Professional Fiduciary
A professional fiduciary is one in whom has been placed the utmost confidence to manage and protect the personal affairs, property, and/or assets of those they represent client as well as to support their mental and emotional well-being; reduce the stress of changing circumstances or unexpected events; and, most importantly, help each client, and their families, enjoy a fulfilling life.
A professional fiduciary’s role is not merely that of business manager, decision-maker, or guardian. It is also a nurturing bond of trust, concern, and attentive care-giving.
What is Fiduciary Duty?
Under the U.S. legal system, a fiduciary duty is a legal term describing the relationship between two parties that obligates one to act solely in the interest of the other.
Fiduciaries are bound ethically and legally bound to act in the best interests of those they represent and are held to the highest standard of the law.
Common circumstances leading to the selection of a professional fiduciary
- You do not have friends or family to help in handling your affairs.
- You want to avoid possibly burdening family or friends.
- Your trusted friends and family members may not have the right skills, not be willing to assist, or live too far away to help.
- Your relatives have conflicts between them that make choosing a neutral party a better choice.
- You are seeking an experienced, qualified professional to act as an advocate for you, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
What is a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary?
Professional fiduciaries practicing in the state of California are required to be licensed by the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau under the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
Who is eligible to become a licensed professional fiduciary in California?
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or sufficient related work experience, pass a background check, pass an examination administered by the Center for Guardianship Certification, and complete 30 hours of approved education courses pre-licensing.
What’s involved in maintaining a California Professional Fiduciary License?
- Licensees are required to file an Annual Statement in advance of the expiration of their license as a condition of license renewal each year.
- Licensees submit an annual renewal payment
- Licensee are required to completed at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing education (including two (2) hours of ethics for fiduciaries).
Professional Fiduciaries vs. Corporate Trustees
Unlike large financial institutions, working with a Private Professional Fiduciary means working with that person directly, along with any staff he or she supervises and you approve. You don’t get passed from one corporate employee who doesn’t know you or your situation, to another – as can happen regularly with large financial entities. You also will receive personal, individualized services — not cookie-cutter, one size doesn’t fit all, standardized and systematized programs.
Because Private Professional Fiduciaries charge for the actual time they work and not based on commission, they are entirely independent and objective as well as free from conflicts of interest. You will negotiate and enter into a fee agreement for services in advance of any work to be performed.
What Clients Say About Us
After my mother passed away in April of 2021, I became the trustee of a complicated family trust, and I literally did not know the first thing to do… Lindsay’s intelligence and expertise in her field, along with her keen attention to detail saved me many hours of anxiety and frustration…I feel so fortunate to have found Lindsay Leonard. She truly made my life easier and more worry-free during this difficult time. Thank you, Lindsay! read more
— John Michael Koelsch, Client
My name is John Michael Koelsch, a retired Los Angeles Policeman and I’m writing this on behalf of Lindsay Leonard. Over a year ago, I came to Lindsay to help me with my financial and legal affairs and I’m so glad I did so. Lindsay is a dedicated, loyal, and experienced fiduciary who is truly concerned… read more
— Robert M. Sawyer, Sacramento, California
…In 2012, as our parents entered their late 80s, my two brothers and I and our wives became very concerned about Mom and Dad’s ability to manage their financial and personal affairs. We had witnessed potential problems, including missed bill payments, lost checks, missed appointments, susceptibility to scams, and a general decline in our parents’ financial… read more
–Virginia Anders, Client
…My lawyer recommended Lindsay and is probably one of the best recommendations I’ve ever had in my life. She helped me navigate through all of the probate court proceedings, through all of the changing of names and title… She helped me through the process of retiring in this situation and I’m so incredibly grateful to her and I just don’t know where I’d be without her help… read more
—A.C. Moore, Dunvegan Associates
Lindsay Leonard was an important part of the research team at Dunvegan Associates, Inc. She assisted in various aspects of the research process that we employ on a daily basis. Some of the more important functions she performed… read more
—Atticus Lowe, Chief Investment Officer, West Coast Asset Management
Lindsay Leonard joined the West Coast Asset Management team as a Junior Research Analyst intern in November 2007 and worked with us through the end of May, 2008. WCAM was founded in 2000 by Lance Helfert and Kinko’s founder… read more
