Open Architecture Model
Generational Success
Client Involvement
Intentionally Different | Focus & Approach
Helping Families Protect & Enrich Their Family Heritage
Trustee Services Group (TSG) is a boutique, privately owned Corporate Trustee.
We are intentionally different than a traditional Trust Company.
The client success we strive for is:
1) Family wealth does not adversely affect family relationships; and
2) Generational wealth is wisely stewarded.
Because of our unique focus, client centered approach and collaborative “Open Architecture™” model, our services present the best option to help clients successfully navigate through the unique complexities of wealth in their family.
We intimately understand family wealth is about much more than just money.
If done well, a family’s transfer of wealth becomes a generational heritage, enhancing the lives of others. If done improperly, the wealth can prove to be more destructive than good.
It would be our honor to work within the context of your team to serve your family.
Steve Marken, J.D.
Founding Principal
A Meaningful Difference
Open Architecture Approach
We begin and end with the family – the goals, needs and desires in the context of the family trust or estate. Our desire and passion is to help families, and their advisory team, successfully navigate the complexities of wealth and family. We’ve developed a model we call Open Architecture™ to best meet these needs.
What Makes Us Unique
Our Five Distinctives
Responsive
The family deals directly with decision makers instead of committees with whom the family may never have the opportunity to interact.
Family Focus
We exist to help families successfully navigate the complexities of family wealth, not just perform Trust administration.
Independent
To avoid any conflicts of interest, we do not offer investment management services and have no financial products to sell.
Customized
Together we develop a customized approach that will best suit the family’s needs.
Collaborative
We work collaboratively with the family’s team of trusted professionals.
Our Collaborative Process
A Family-Centered Team
Trustee & Estate Fiduciary Services
What We Offer
We specialize exclusively in the delivery of trustee and estate fiduciary services.
Families
We understand the complex issues associated with meaningful wealth in families, and encourage families to structure their own, best in class solution to address the uniqueness of their family in the context of their wealth.
Professional Advisors
We believe families generationally benefit from the continued involvement of their professional advisory team and collaboratively work with financial advisors, attorneys and tax professionals across the country in this regard.
Foundations
We intimately understand the role and importance of philanthropy, and how such plays an integral role in legacy development and successful wealth transfer.
Our expertise and experience is in family wealth. In this regard, we serve in the following ways:
- Trustee (Trusts)
- Executor and Personal Representative (Will)
- Agent for Financial Affairs (Power of Attorney)
- Trust Protector
- Special Independent Trustee
- Consultant
- Expert Witness
Although attorneys may have their own special names for various trusts, we have experience with most all. Below is a listing of the general types of trusts on which we serve as trustee:
Family Trusts: Both revocable and irrevocable, where assets are held and dispersed in accordance with specific distribution provisions usually for the benefit of family.
Charitable Trusts: All types of charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts.
Family Foundations: Trusts designed to secure the philanthropic legacy of the founder and the founder’s family.
Life Insurance Trusts: Irrevocable trusts which own life insurance for the benefit of others.
Retirement Trusts: Specially designed trusts which facilitate the “stretch” of inherited IRA accounts while also coordinating distributions with the provisions of a family trust.
Special Needs Trusts: A specialized trust allowing a disabled beneficiary to receive income without reducing their eligibility for public assistance disability benefits.
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
INTENTIONALLY DIFFERENT
FOCUS & APPROACH
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Say About Us
We believe our client association should be based upon a trusted partnership as opposed to an imposed relationship. We put relationships first and the rest follows. Advisory teams and families have been counting on us for more than 10 years to support their unique needs.
“I’ve been privileged to work with Steve Marken and see him serve as a Trustee of complex trusts with potentially difficult family dynamics. He is an expert communicator and mediator that looks out for the best interests of everyone involved.”
“As a local estate planning attorney, I frequently refer clients to Trustee Services Group. I constantly receive positive feedback from my clients, who love TSG’s relationship-based approach and effort to use inheritances to enrich rather than ruin beneficiaries’ lives. As a professional, I appreciate their understanding of fiduciary responsibilities and knowledge of the important legal and tax issues involved with each plan.”
“I’ve been helping people with complex trust planning for nearly 30 years and searched long and hard for a truly independent trust service provider that understands the technical aspects of the planning, and the relational and emotional issues as well, and found a perfect match with TSG. They have given me a tool that has come in handy for many ‘right fit’ situations. I am thankful I met Steve and his group when I did. Their services help set us apart in our planning.”
"Steve made it a priority to get to know me and my goals, so that he fully understood how he and his team could help. Today, tomorrow, and 10 years down the road. We're extremely fortunate to have Trustee Services Group in our corner. The level of service is unparalleled. It's the genuine care -- the sincere interest in my life, though that has solidified our relationship. Steve has personally helped me define short- and long-term goals -- not only for my finances, but also for my life."
"Having no one to leave any of my worldly goods to, when I was making out a new will, my attorney told me about Trustee Services. You hire them to be your "family member" who takes care of your wishes. It's better than actual family, since you don't have to feel like you are imposing on them. Steve and his team do a wonderful job and make you feel like you are part of their family. A great weight was lifted off my shoulders when I signed up with them. I no longer feel alone."
There are absolutely NO firms like you . . . anywhere in Florida; honestly, very few around the United States!
I so appreciate the resources Trustee Services has provided! I had started legacy letters already, and when one of my brothers became very ill, I was able in short order to send him a letter of appreciation and admiration, just a couple weeks before he passed away, and I am so glad I was able to tell him those things.
I really appreciate everything you [TSG] did for me. I certainly would not have been as kind and patient. Your professionalism and grace was above and beyond. I know I am lucky you are on my side. If not for you I am sure this would have turned into a conflict.
RESOURCES
Trusted Advice & Tools
Created to provide you with resources to help you find answers to your questions about planning for your future transfer of wealth.
