Navigating complexity with confidence.
CU Trust is here to help clients and their families expertly navigate unique wealth management and estate planning situations. These recent real-life stories demonstrate our ability to handle a wide range of complex family situations and may help you consider your own need for a solid plan and a professional trustee like CU Trust.
Note: Details have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
Trusted guidance. Tailored to each situation.
A Substantial Estate. No Family Harmony.
When beneficiaries disagree, a professional trustee is key. This client created her estate plan with eyes wide open. She knew that, despite receiving generous inheritances when she passed away, her two adult and estranged children would likely approach her estate settlement with controversy, unnecessary accusations, and excessive court disputes.
By naming CU Trust as her successor trustee, she ensured that an objective, professional trust expert would be involved from day one. When the client passed away, the CU Trust team expertly managed the collection and appropriate distribution of assets, as directed, including the reconciliation of assets improperly accessed by the beneficiaries.
Two Generations. Twenty-two Perspectives.
The best way to bridge the gap between family members? It may be an objective outsider. Conflicts often arise when a family member is appointed a trustee. Even if they have the best intentions, they may lack the experience required to manage a trust’s complex responsibilities (think tax expert, property manager, investment advisor). They may also face pushback from family members with differing perspectives on the terms of the trust.
In this case, one member of the extended family recognized that there were better options for maximizing value and minimizing conflict, and began exploring alternatives to a family member as trustee.
At CU Trust, they found a team of in-house experts with decades of trustee experience. They recognized that CU Trust was better equipped to handle all aspects of the trust—from the financial administration to the emotional dynamics, and agreed to transfer the trustee responsibilities to CU Trust.
Special Care for Special Needs.
How a true, thoughtful partner makes the difference. This client has a son with special needs. While there was already a Special Needs Trust in place, she felt that the assigned trustee, a large regional bank, was not responding in a way that felt like a true partnership. In 2023, she reached out to CU Trust to replace the existing trustee.
Years later, she continues to express her appreciation for the way CU Trust works as a true partner, responsive and helpful in their support.
The Advisor You Know. The Trustee You Need.
“We need a professional trustee, but don’t want to lose our financial advisor. Can you help?”
Typically, a trust bank wants to manage a client’s investments if they are the trustee. While that is a common scenario, even for CU Trust, we believe in more flexible partnerships. Thanks to our team approach, this client has continued working with their existing investment advisor while gaining valuable fiduciary protections with an objective professional trustee that puts them first.
No two client situations are ever the same.
That’s why the CU Trust team draws on its deep experience while taking the time to truly understand yours. We would love to start a conversation—reach out and tell us what’s on your mind.