Articles & Announcements
As a Trustee, You Need Trusted Resources
As an organization dedicated to the service and support of private trusts and their Trustees, the Private Trust Consortium is pleased to provide the following resources, some of which are available exclusively to members.
Announcements
New Member Benefit eNotaryLog Offers Remote Online Notarization
Our newest member benefit, eNotaryLog, provides nationwide remote online notarization (RON) and electronic signature solutions through its cloud-based digital services platform. RON uses audio-video technology to securely review documents and electronically verify a...
Articles
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Important Considerations for Trustees of Special Needs Trusts (Also Referred to as Supplemental Needs Trusts)
Special Needs Trusts are a specific type of trust generally designed to provide special protection for a vulnerable beneficiary and ensure that the beneficiary does not lose public benefits due to receipt of income or other distributions from the trust. Thus, Special...
PTC Caselaw Update: Kunasek v. Johnson
On September 22, 2022, the Court of Appeals of Arizona affirmed jury awards against Trustees (and also the trust Settlor and attorneys) for breach of fiduciary duty, which included compensatory damages in the amount of $10.5 million and punitive damages in the amount...
When Risk Becomes Reality for Trustees
Part I -- When someone agrees to become the trustee of a trust, he or she will need to be aware of and plan for several risks, not only for themselves, but also for the beneficiaries and the trust itself. Even experienced trustees can be faced with stormy seas that...
Estate Planning – Beyond the Basics
What is estate planning? Many people would say it is a plan to transfer assets from an owner to a beneficiary, usually family members or descendants. In the family context, parents usually want their assets to take care of each other, and then upon their death, to...
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – Helpful Hints for Trustees and Beneficiaries
As a Trustee, you have a duty to the beneficiaries of the trust to be informed regarding tax planning, or at the very least hire qualified professionals to assist with appropriate tax planning on behalf of the trust. This article will provide a brief overview of the...
Hey Trustee, Is Your Financial Advisor a Fiduciary?
A fiduciary is a person, such as an attorney or trustee, who has a legal or ethical duty to act in the best interests of another person or group of persons. For example, an attorney has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the client, and the trustee has...
10 Home Improvement Projects That Don’t Break the Bank
If you’re looking for home improvement projects that really pay off, you don’t have to go for a full renovation with a hefty price tag. Instead, there are plenty of home improvements that are affordable and can be wrapped up in just a few hours. From the kitchen,...
Prepare for Back-To-School Season
This past school year was unusual. But with students heading back to school, there's a lot we can do to bolster our children’s feelings of confidence and security as they head into a new year. Here are ways to get in the back-to-school mindset and cope with any...
What Does it Mean to be a Trustee?
So, your favorite uncle has just asked you to be the trustee for the trust he’s setting up for his adult children. His kids have had their issues over the years – his son has a serious substance abuse problem and his daughter has had difficulty staying employed and...
Are Revocable Trusts Considered Marital Property in Colorado?
Marital property is an important concept primarily used in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage. Property in the context of a marriage can either be held as separate property or marital property. Colorado defines marital property as all property acquired by either...
