Personal Trust & Estate Planning

Trust Administration

What is a Trust?

Trust is a legal arrangement in which a person (often referred to as the grantor) places property with another person (the trustee) to be managed for the benefit of one or more individuals (the beneficiaries). A trust is created via a trust document, which may describe how the assets are to be managed and how or when distributions are to be made. At Ciera, we can serve as a trustee, co-trustee, or agent for the trustee.

Why choose a Corporate Trustee?

The selection of a trustee is an important decision that will affect how your assets are managed for many years to come. When making your choice, consider the advantages that a corporate trustee such as Ciera Bank can offer:

• Trust administration is our full-time job

• We have access to specialized accounting systems

• Access to investment expertise

• We maintain impartiality with respect to beneficiaries, preserving family harmony

• We are subject to annual audits and regulatory oversight

Estate Administration

What is an Executor of an estate?

When a person dies, an executor is designated to wrap up the decedent’s final affairs. The executor may be nominated in the decedent’s will or appointed by the courts.

What are the duties of an Executor?

Locating the decedent’s will and having it admitted to probate; marshaling all the decedent’s assets; filing an inventory and appraisement with the probate court; ensuring all final expenses, debts and claims against the estate are paid; distributing any remaining assets in accordance with the decedent’s will and filing final income and estate tax returns.

Why appoint a Corporate Executor?

Being the executor of an estate can be a lengthy and tedious process. It requires specialized accounting knowledge and record keeping. You may think you are bestowing an honor, or showing love or trust by designating a spouse, child, or close friend to be your executor but you may be burdening them with a responsibility that they are not really prepared for. You may consider nominating a corporate executor, such as Ciera Bank, to handle your estate settlement. For us, this is a full-time job. We have experienced trust officers with investment and accounting knowledge ready to efficiently guide your estate through the probate process and preserve family harmony.

Financial Planning & Cash Management

Financial Planning Consultation

Whether you want to plan for a child’s college education, the purchase of a new home, develop a retirement savings program, or create a comprehensive estate plan, Ciera Bank’s experienced Trust team can work with you to achieve your financial goals. Our Trust Administrators become a valued part of your team- working with your attorney, CPA, and other advisors to create a customized plan for you and your family.

Cash Management

Ask us about additional services offered with regard to high balance cash accounts.