Schedule of Fees

Trusted for Wisdom / Chosen for Compassion / Valued for Results    (sm)


Trust—a sacred word around these parts—and transparency are the foundation of every successful relationship. Therefore, in the spirit of clear communication and complete transparancy, we wish to share our Schedule of Fees which outline the structure and application of fees associated with our fiduciary services.

Trust fee structures are often complex. Diffeent types of trusts require varying levels of administration and fiduciary responsibility—each with different cost implications—range of services offered, account complexity, distribution frequency, jursdictional complexity and beneficiary interaction.

Our goal is to ensure that you fully understand how our services are priced so you can make informed decisions and feel confident in the value we provide.

More often than not, most of the variables will not affect you; we will take time to explain the pricing and its application, guiding you through the process. Once you have decided on the type of trust and its features, things start to fall in place quickly.

We appreciate your interest in our trust solutions and remain committed to serving your needs with clarity, professionalism and care. 

Your inquiries are welcomed!

Mark Clemons, JD
Private Trustee
Co-Owner, MonteClare, LLC

Bob Fletcher, CTFA, CISP, CFMP
Private Trustee
Co-Owner, MonteClare, LLC

Fundamental Types of Administration—Delegated and Directed

Fundamentally, trust administration falls into one or two categories—delegated or directed. They differ primarily in how responsibilities are assigned and controlled among fiduciaries.

Delegated Trust: In a delegated trust (also know as a "discretionary trust"), the trustee retains ultimate fiduciary responsibility but delegates specific tasks—such as investment management—to qualified third parties (e.g., financial advisors).

The trustee must:
• Select the delegate prudently
• Monitor their performance
• Retain liability for ensuring the delegation is appropriate

Key point: The trustee is still responsible, and, thus potentially liable, for the delegate’s actions if they fail to oversee them properly.

Directed Trust: In a directed trust, the trust document designates specific roles to different fiduciaries (such as a Trust Protector or Investment Advisor) who have authority to direct the trustee in certain areas.

For example:
• An Investment Advisor may direct investment decisions
• A Distribution Advisor may control beneficiary distributions.

The trustee must follow these directions and typically bears no liability for the outcomes, provided they act in accordance with directions and in good faith.

Key point: Responsibility and liability for directed functions shift away from the trustee.

Summary:
• Delegated Trust: Trustee delegates tasks but retains oversight and exposure to liability.
• Directed Trust: Trustee follows instructions from another fiduciary and is generally not liable for those directed actions.


Fee Implications: Trustee fees for administering delegated trusts are typically higher than for directed trusts because the trustee:
• Must select and monitor the delegate
• Remains responsible and liable for the outcomes of the delegated functions
• Maintains full oversight of trust administration and compliance

Conversely, trustee fees for adminstering directed trusts are typically lower than for delegated trusts because:
• Trustee has no investment responsibiity
• Trustee follows directions and has limited liability for outcomes of directed actions
• Role is more administrative in nature


Common Types of Delegated Trusts:
1. Revocable Living Trusts 
2. Standard Irrevocable Trusts
3. Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs)
4. Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs)
5. Family or Dynasty Trusts (in non-directed jurisdictions)

Key Feature: Delegation is allowed under the Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA) but still requires monitoring and prudent selection of the delegate.


Common Types of Directed Trusts:
1. Asset Protection Trusts
2. Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
3. Multi-Role Family Trusts
4. Special Needs Trusts
5. Directed Dynasty Trusts (especially in states like South Dakota, Delaware, Nevada)
6. Business-Holding Trusts
 
Key Feature: Permitted and supported under state directed trust statutes, often with trustee liability protection for following proper directions in good faith.

 

Summary Table

Trust Type                                      Typically Delegated                    Typically Directed
Revocable Living Trust                     ✅ Yes                                             ❌ Rarely
Irrevocable Family Trust                   ✅ Yes                                             ✅ Yes
Charitable Remainder Trust            ✅ Yes                                              ❌ Rarely Grantor
Retained Annuity Trust                    ✅ Yes                                              ❌ Rarely
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust      ❌ Occasionally                              ✅ Frequently
Asset Protection Trust                      ❌ Rarely                                        ✅ Yes
Dynasty Trust                                    ✅ Yes                                              ✅ Commonly
Special Needs Trust                         ❌ Occasionally                               ✅ Frequently
Closely Held Assets                        ❌ Occasionally                               ✅ Often 
 


Living  Trusts (Revocable & Irrevocable) and Testamentary

Delegated Trusts

First $2 million       @      0.50%     (50 bps)
Next $3 million      @      0.40%     (40 bps)
Next $5 million      @      0.30%     (30 bps)
Next $10 million    @      0.20%     ( 20 bps)
Over $20 million    @      0.10%     (10 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $5,000

Directed Trusts

First $2 million     @      0.40%      (40 bps)
Next $3 million     @     0.30%      (30 bps)
Next $5 million     @     0.20%      (20 bps)
Next $10 million   @     0.10%      (10 bps)
Over $20 million   @     0.05%      (05 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $4,500 

Asset Protection Trust

Trustee fees for the administration of Asset Protection Trusts are based on the nature and complexity of the trust structure, level of fiduciary risk and the administrative services required.

Fee structure typically includes:

Base Annual Fee:

.075% (75 bps) fee calculated on the market value* of trust assets to cover core administrative responsibilities such as recordkeeping, distribution processing, compliance monitoring and beneficiary communications.


Dynasty Trusts

Trustee fees for managing Dynasty Trusts reflect the long-term, complex nature of these multi-generational vehicles.

Dynasty Trusts are designed to preserve and protect wealth across multiple generations, often with a perpetual or very long duration. As such, trustee fees are typically structured to reflect the ongoing complexity, fiduciary oversight and administrative demands required over decades.

Delegated Trusts

First $2 million     @    0.50%    (50 bps)
Next $3 million    @    0.40%    (40 bps)
Next $5 million    @    0.30%    (30 bps)
Next $10 million  @    0.20%    (20 bps)
Over $20 million  @    0.10%    (10 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $5,000

Directed Trusts

First $2 million    @   0.40% (40 bps)
Next $3 million   @   0.30% (30 bps)
Next $5 million   @   0.20% (20 bps)
Next $10 million @   0.10% (10 bps)
Over $20 million @   0.05% (05 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $4,500  

Special Needs Trust

Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) are designed to preserve a beneficiary’s eligibility for public benefits (like Medicaid or SSI) while supplementing their quality of life. Administering these trusts requires specialized knowledge, attention to detail and ongoing compliance—and trustee fees are structured accordingly.

Why SNT Fees Are Unique:

High Administrative Burden: Trustees must ensure distributions do not jeopardize public benefits.

Ongoing Reporting: Frequent documentation is required for compliance with Medicaid, SSI, and court supervision (if applicable).

Personalized Engagement: Trustees often coordinate with family, caregivers, and service providers to improve the beneficiary’s well-being.

Legal and Regulatory Complexity: SNTs must comply with federal and state laws, which vary by jurisdiction.  

Delegated Trusts

First $2 million @ 0.50% (50 bps)
Next $3 million @ 0.40% (40 bps)
Next $5 million @ 0.30% (30 bps)
Next $10 million @ 0.20% ( 20 bps)
Over $20 million @ 0.10% (10 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $5,000

Directed Trusts

First $2 million    @    0.40%   (40 bps)
Next $3 million   @    0.30%   (30 bps)
Next $5 million   @    0.20%   (20 bps)
Next $10 million @    0.10%   (10 bps)
Over $20 million @    0.05% (  05 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $4,500    

Settlement Trusts

Trustee Fees for Administering Settlement Trusts:

 Settlement trusts are often created to manage and protect the proceeds of legal settlements—especially in personal injury, medical malpractice or workers’ compensation cases.

These trusts may be court-supervised, involve structured payments or include special needs provisions. Trustee fees reflect the complexity, regulatory compliance, and personal attention these trusts require. 

Delegated Trusts

 First $2 million    @    0.50%   (50 bps)
Next $3 million   @    0.40%    (40 bps)
Next $5 million   @    0.30%    (30 bps)
Next $10 million @    0.20%    (20 bps)
Over $20 million @    0.10%     (10 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $5,000


Directed Trusts

First $2 million      @    0.40%    (40 bps)
Next $3 million     @    0.30%     (30 bps)
Next $5 million     @    0.20%     (20 bps)
Next $10 million   @    0.10%     (10 bps)
Over $20 million   @    0.05%     (05 bps)

Minimum Annual Fee = $4,500    

Rabbi Trusts

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Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILIT)

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Charitable Trusts

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Agency Accounts—Custody / Escrow Agent / Agent for Trustee / Agent for Executor

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Investment Management

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Investment Management

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Trust Accounting

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Fraud Detection & Resolution

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Guardian of Estates

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Estate Settlement: Executor & Administrator

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Speciality Assets

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*Fee Schedule Explanations

Exceptions in Applying Market Values for Trustee Fee Calculations

While trustee fees are generally based on the market value of trust assets, certain exceptions apply to ensure that fee assessments reflect the administrative effort, liquidity, and valuation reliability of specific asset types.

These exceptions include:

1. Illiquid or Hard-to-Value Assets Assets such as closely held businesses, real estate, oil and gas interests, and collectibles may not have readily determinable market values. In these cases:
• Trustee fees may be based on appraised values, if available, or
• A reasonable estimated value agreed upon with the grantor or beneficiaries may be used, subject to periodic review.

2. Non-Income-Producing Assets: If a significant portion of the trust consists of non-income-generating or dormant assets, the trustee reserves the right to:
• Apply a minimum annual fee regardless of asset value, or • Adjust the fee to reflect the administrative burden disproportionate to asset yield.

3. Assets Outside Trustee Control Assets held in the trust but managed by an external party or under a power of appointment may be excluded from the market value used for fee calculations, unless the trustee maintains significant administrative responsibility for them.

4. Directed or Delegated Investment Structures: Where investment management is directed or delegated, and the trustee has no discretion over investments, the applicable fee may:
• Reflect only the administrative responsibilities, and
• Exclude investment management components from the value basis.

5. Extraordinary Circumstances: In situations involving litigation, regulatory restrictions or uncertain market conditions, the trustee may temporarily adjust asset values for fee calculation purposes, subject to:
• Full disclosure to beneficiaries and
• Documentation in the trustee’s annual reporting. 

6. Extraordinary Services Fee (as applicable): Additional hourly or fixed fees may apply for rendering of extraordinary services that are deemed unanticipated or out-of-the-ordinary, such as court related matters. Hourly rates will be charged based on applicable rates relative to duties, responsibilities, time and risks assumed. Hourly rates range from $75 to $300.   

7. Special Asset Fees: Additional fees may apply for managing nontraditional or “specialty” assets such as closely held businesses, real estate, or mineral rights, due to increased oversight and valuation demands.

8. Fee Calculations: Fee computations for marketable assets and securities are generally calculated on or near the last day of the fee period, typically month-end or quarter-end.