Trust Experience is compensated for professional trustee and fiduciary services based on the size, complexity, and administration of each trust. The information below provides a general overview of how trustee compensation is typically structured.
Trust Administration Fees
Standard trustee fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the fair market value of trust assets using a tiered fee schedule. While the highest annual rate is 1%, that rate does not apply to the entire trust. As trust assets increase, lower percentage rates apply to higher asset tiers. Minimum fees may apply.
What’s Included
Standard trustee services typically include:
- Administration of trust assets
- Coordination with attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors
- Recordkeeping and trust accounting
- Payment of trust expenses and beneficiary distributions
- Tax coordination
- Beneficiary communication
Extraordinary services, such as litigation support, contested matters, or complex asset administration, may be billed separately.
Third-party expenses—including legal, accounting, investment management, appraisal, insurance, property management, and custodial fees—are separate from trustee compensation and are paid from the trust as appropriate.
Important Information
Fees may vary depending on the complexity of the trust and any court involvement. All trustee compensation is governed by the trust instrument and applicable California law.