When your trust requires an independent, professional fiduciary, someone without competing interests, without conflicts, and without an agenda. Bastion is built for exactly that role.
We work across a range of trust structures, bringing the same independence and care to each one.
A revocable living trust is created during the grantor's lifetime and can be modified or revoked at any time. Upon the grantor's death or incapacitation, it becomes irrevocable and the successor trustee steps in to manage and distribute assets according to the trust's terms. Professional trustee oversight ensures continuity and proper administration during what is often a difficult transition.
Once established, an irrevocable trust generally cannot be modified without court approval or beneficiary consent. Assets transferred into the trust are removed from the grantor's taxable estate, offering potential tax and asset protection benefits. Independent trustee oversight is critical here. The trustee must administer the trust strictly according to its terms, with no room for personal discretion or conflict.
A special needs trust is designed to provide for a beneficiary with a disability without disqualifying them from means-tested government benefits such as SSI or Medicaid. Administration requires careful coordination with disability law attorneys and benefit planners to ensure every distribution decision preserves the beneficiary's eligibility. This is one of the most detail-sensitive trust structures and one where professional, independent oversight is not optional.
When the original trustee, whether an individual or institution, is no longer able or willing to serve, a successor trustee steps in to continue administration. Bastion can serve as a named successor trustee from the outset or step into an existing trust mid-administration, providing continuity without disruption to beneficiaries or ongoing trust operations.
Every engagement follows a deliberate process, starting with understanding your situation and ending with ongoing, accountable administration.
We start with a no-pressure conversation to understand your trust structure, family dynamics, and goals. If we're a fit, we formalize the engagement with a clear scope of work and transparent fee agreement before anything else begins.
Every engagement includes a comprehensive inventory of trust assets. Clients receive secure access to our wealth mapping portal, providing a real-time, visual snapshot of the estate's complete financial picture, related parties, consultants, and other estate specifics.
We work directly with your estate planning attorney, CPA, financial advisor, and any other professionals involved in the trust. Our role is to coordinate, not compete, ensuring every party is aligned and nothing falls through the cracks.
Beneficiaries and co-trustees receive regular, clear accounting of trust activity: income, distributions, expenses, and asset balances. We coordinate directly with the trust's existing bookkeeper or, where one is not in place, can help identify and engage the right professional for the engagement. Transparency is not optional in our practice; it's built into every engagement.
Depending on trust complexity, we also provide oversight of trust-owned real property, coordination with property managers, vendor management, and bill pay. For trusts with mortgage needs, we offer access to fractional cost mortgage services, leveraging our licensed residential and commercial credti expertise to ensure trust-held properties are properly managed and financed without unnecessary cost to the estate. If it's inside the trust, it's our responsibility.
For trusts requiring court oversight, we prepare and file accountings in compliance with applicable state requirements. For all other trusts, we maintain meticulous records and remain available to beneficiaries throughout the life of the engagement.
Answers to what families and companies typically ask before we talk.
