Donna J. Verna

What is a Fiduciary?

• A person who assumes responsibility for a position of trust

Why have a Fiduciary?

• Aren't able or don't want to handle the details any longer

• No family members that can take on the challenge

• Need a neutral person (referee) to handle the details

• You have the opportunity to be proactive and choose someone you trust and know will be working for you

What does a Fiduciary do?

• Serve as any, or combinations of the following:

1. Trustee, Successor Trustee, Conservator or Guardian
2. General Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Health Care Advocate
3. Agent for Bill-Pay, Case Manager, and other functions needed by the client(s)

How does a Fiduciary work?

• Follow the terms of the trust or instructions by client

• Work with client, family members, courts, attorneys and other professionals to ensure client's needs and wishes are fulfilled

• Work within the guidelines of the Probate Code and Code of Ethics

Professional Fiduciary Association of California

National Guardianship Association Affiliate

Code of Ethics

Recognizing that the care of the Client is a prime responsibility, the Professional Fiduciary shall provide services with respect for the dignity and uniqueness of each Client.  The Fiduciary shall not engage in any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or any other condition or status.

Acting as an advocate in safeguarding the Client’s civil and legal rights, the Professional Fiduciary shall make decisions that maximize and protect the rights of the Client, and allow for maximum independence and self reliance.

Members of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California shall:

• Judiciously protect the right to privacy by keeping confidential the affairs of the Client.

• Comply with all statutory requirements, be knowledgeable of applicable policies and procedures and keep informed of existing Local, State and Federal Laws as a minimum guide for the fulfillment of responsibilities to the Clients.

• Never exceed the bounds of legally granted authority.

• Maintain an attitude of fairness, honesty, respect, courtesy and good faith in all professional relationships.

• Cooperate with colleagues to promote common interests and concerns and facilitate ethical and competent professional performance.

• Accept their professional fees as the total compensation for services.  Fiduciaries, their associates or their family shall not benefit personally from any estate transaction.

• Manifest personal integrity and assume responsibility and accountability for individual judgments.

• Avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest.

• Seek and maintain competence in professional skills and contribute to the ongoing development of the profession’s body of knowledge.

• Manage estates prudently; with care and judgment, maintaining detailed fiduciary records.

• Seek competent professional advice where this knowledge would benefit the Client.

Violators of the above provisions shall be subject to professional discipline and/or removal from membership in the Professional Fiduciary Association of California.

Recommendations

Donna’s financial management expertise, and her enormous capacity to embrace difficult situations and effect positive change, made it possible for my father to live out his remaining years feeling safe and independent, and for my siblings and me, (all of us living out-of-state), to be able to interact with him as his supportive family and not as primary caregivers.  We spoke with Donna multiple times a week, discussing all the financial and legal decisions, care management and living situation concerns, and long-term health care issues she was handling for us.  She was as sensitive to our emotional needs as she was to preserving my father’s dignity.  Her judgment was sound and measured, her advice and guidance invaluable, and her work highly professional.  In eight years she has never made a mistake or let us down in any way.  Donna is deserving of absolute trust.

• Penelope Percy

Donna is an exceptional professional who is so much more than a highly effective fiduciary. She is anticipatory, consistently uses exceptional judgment, has the highest business standards, and establishes a genuine personal relationship with each of her clients. Donna can manage complex financial affairs and interact most credibly with senior attorneys and financial managers. I trusted her with the lives of my parents and she never failed in their support. She would respond seven days a week and also extend the kindest courtesies to those with whom she worked. This is a truly extraordinary individual with whom anyone would be privileged to associate.