A professional fiduciary acts on behalf of clients who need assistance with managing their financial and legal affairs. This includes roles such as executor, trustee, and power of attorney. As a fiduciary, my primary responsibility is to act in the best interest of my clients, following their wishes and adhering to legal guidelines. My services ensure that my clients’ assets, healthcare decisions, and financial matters are managed responsibly, especially when they don’t have family members or friends available for these roles.
Serving as an executor can be complex and time-consuming. Many people don’t have someone they can entrust with this responsibility or prefer not to place this burden on their loved ones. A professional executor provides peace of mind, ensuring that your estate is administered according to your wishes with attention to legal and financial details. My role as an executor includes managing your estate, distributing assets, handling debts, and finalizing any outstanding legal and tax obligations.
As a professional fiduciary, I am legally bound to act in your best interest. I follow strict standards and ethical guidelines to protect your assets and carry out your wishes. I also hold myself accountable to my clients and adhere to transparency in all transactions and decisions. I’m happy to answer any questions you have, share references, and provide a clear outline of my processes to give you complete confidence in my services.
I have a 30-year background with the state government, with more than 20 years focused on financial work like budgeting, processing invoices, and managing accounts—experience that gave me a solid foundation in financial management, which I bring to my work today. Since March 2023, I’ve specialized in estate planning as a senior-focused traveling notary and Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent. I am fully insured and complete a background check every year to ensure trust and dependability for my clients. As a member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM), I stay updated on the best practices for responsible and ethical financial management. Click here to read my full professional bio.
The fees for fiduciary services vary depending on the complexity of your needs. Typically, fees are based on the scope of services provided, such as estate administration, asset management, or healthcare decision-making. I provide a transparent fee structure and will discuss anticipated costs upfront. You’ll receive a clear outline of my services, estimated costs, and any additional expenses that may arise.
These roles are all fiduciary in nature but serve different functions:
•Power of Attorney (POA): A POA is authorized to make decisions and/or handle transactions on your behalf. This may include managing finances, making medical decisions, or addressing specific legal matters. In some cases, a POA might not be actively deciding but rather following your clearly stated wishes when you’re unavailable, such as during an extended absence or if you’re deployed.
•Trustee: A trustee is responsible for managing assets placed in a trust according to the terms you’ve set. They ensure that these assets are used according to your intentions, often for the benefit of designated beneficiaries.
•Executor: An executor is responsible for administering your estate after you pass away. Their duties include tasks like paying final expenses, settling debts, and distributing assets as directed in your will.
Absolutely. My services are adaptable to meet your unique needs. If you only need someone to handle healthcare or specific financial matters, we can tailor my role accordingly. Whether it’s a limited power of attorney for healthcare or a trustee for a specific trust, we’ll structure the service based on your preferences and needs.
If I am your power of attorney, I will make decisions based on your documented wishes, which can include financial, medical, and personal care decisions. I take time to understand your values, preferences, and goals, and I am legally bound to follow them. If your wishes are not specifically documented, I will make decisions that align with your best interests and the guidance you have provided.
As a professional fiduciary, my role is to act impartially and in the best interest of the estate or trust. If a conflict arises, I am committed to open communication and mediation to resolve issues professionally and respectfully. I will work to maintain transparency and, if necessary, involve legal counsel to ensure all actions are compliant with your wishes and legal obligations.
Yes. A will or trust is your plan, and appointing a professional fiduciary ensures that plan is executed effectively. You can amend your estate documents to name a professional fiduciary as the executor, trustee, or agent under power of attorney. This change provides reassurance that your affairs will be managed professionally and according to your specifications.
You retain the right to amend or revoke most fiduciary appointments, provided you have legal capacity. If you decide to change your fiduciary, you can do so through a formal amendment to your estate documents. I work with clients to ensure transitions are smooth and maintain open communication if any changes are requested.
Yes, my services are flexible and can be tailored to meet your specific needs. I can serve as a primary fiduciary, where I directly manage responsibilities like administering your estate, managing a trust, or acting as your power of attorney. In this role, I’m immediately responsible for making decisions and handling affairs based on your outlined wishes.
Alternatively, I can serve as a successor fiduciary. This means I will step into the role only if the primary individual you’ve appointed is unable or unwilling to fulfill their duties. Acting as a successor provides you with a reliable contingency, ensuring that your affairs will be managed professionally and according to your wishes, even if the primary fiduciary can’t perform the role.
In both cases, my focus is on fulfilling your specific needs and preferences, providing peace of mind that your interests are protected and managed as you intend.
Yes, I am available to serve as your healthcare advocate through a healthcare power of attorney (POA). In this role, I would be responsible for making healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. This includes understanding your medical preferences, respecting your values, and advocating for the care you wish to receive.
As your healthcare POA, I am committed to communicating closely with medical professionals to ensure your treatment aligns with your documented preferences. My goal is to provide compassionate support while honoring your wishes and ensuring you receive the appropriate care in any situation.
I work with families in the way that best suits their needs and preferences. I enjoy meeting my clients in person and building a connection, which helps me understand them better for when I step into an active fiduciary role on their behalf. Whether through Zoom or in-person visits, I make myself available to connect and even join meetings with clients and their attorneys to ensure a seamless experience. My goal is to be as involved as each client wants, always emphasizing a personal, caring approach in everything I do.
I primarily work with clients in central and southcentral Pennsylvania, though I’m open to serving surrounding areas within the state on a case-by-case basis.
No, I am an independently owned & operated business , though I maintain a close working relationship with the Bellomo firm. They refer clients to me who need my services, but I work directly with each client. The best outcomes come when we collaborate together—the client, their attorney, and myself—ensuring everyone is aligned and working toward the client’s goals.
No, I don’t provide guardianship services. However, I highly recommend contacting Good News Consulting in York, PA. They’re a trusted resource and can discuss their availability to serve as a guardian based on your specific needs. Good News Consulting’s phone number is (717) 843-1504.
Unlike financial companies, which often require a substantial investment and charge a percentage of those assets to act on your behalf, my fees are more affordable. I run a small, independent practice, working closely with local families referred by a trusted law firm that knows me, likes me, and trusts me. This “small town feel” allows me to provide a more personal, dedicated service—taking the time to meet you in person and understand your family’s unique needs. My goal is to offer a premium concierge experience to my clients, providing expert fiduciary services with a personal touch.
I understand the desire to streamline estate planning, but I only work with clients who are willing to consult with a qualified attorney. Here’s why:
Estate planning is complex and requires documents that meet specific legal standards. Online templates often lack the custom language and legal safeguards needed to comply with state laws and to address unique family and financial situations. Without proper legal guidance, these documents could be ineffective or even invalid, potentially creating complications or unintended outcomes for your estate and beneficiaries.
Additionally, it’s important to note that I am not a licensed attorney. Although I have a strong understanding of estate planning processes, I cannot provide legal advice or answer questions of a legal nature. Consulting with an attorney ensures that your estate plan is built on a sound legal foundation, protecting both your wishes and the people who matter most to you.
If you don’t yet have an attorney, I’m happy to refer you to trusted professionals who specialize in estate planning.
Yes, I am the owner of Lancaster PA Notary, a mobile notary service in central Pennsylvania. I focus on serving seniors and clients with specific needs, including those who are mobility-challenged or medically fragile. I provide convenient, on-site services, meeting clients at their homes, offices, medical facilities, and senior living communities. As a trained and certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent, I specialize in estate planning and living trusts. Additionally, as a certified Notary Signing Agent, I work closely with realtors, title companies, and lenders to support buyers and sellers in completing real estate transactions. Click here to visit Lancaster PA Notary’s website. Click here to see testimonials about Lancaster PA Notary.