ADVISOR FRIENDLY, DIRECTED & DELEGATED TRUSTS
Designed to Support Advisor Relationships
DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ADVISOR RELATIONSHIPS
Financial advisors dedicate years to building deep, trusted relationships with their clients. At Capital First Trust Company, we respect the value of those relationships and structure our trusts to support—not disrupt—the advisor/client partnership.
Our Advisor-Friendly approach accommodates an open architecture investment framework, allowing advisors to continue managing assets in a way that aligns with their clients’ objectives, risk tolerance, and long term goals.
Whether investment authority is delegated or directed, our role is to ensure the trust is administered properly while maintaining appropriate oversight consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities.
Our Role as Trustee
As trustee or co-trustee, Capital First Trust Company remains actively responsible for the administration and governance of the trust, including:
Trust administration and recordkeeping
Asset custody and transaction processing
Income and principal accounting
Tax reporting and compliance
Oversight to ensure trust terms and fiduciary standards are met
Where investment management is delegated, we work collaboratively with the advisor, maintaining clear communication and defined responsibilities while respecting the advisor’s role in managing client assets.
Our experienced trust officers and administrators serve as part of a coordinated professional team alongside the client’s financial advisor, attorney, and CPA.
Flexibility for Legacy Planning
Advisor Friendly Trusts are particularly well suited for long-term and multigenerational planning, where continuity, consistency, and collaboration matter.
Whether working with a newly established trust or transitioning an existing trust, Capital First Trust Company provides stability, discretion, and experienced fiduciary oversight—while allowing advisors to continue serving their clients through every stage of life, from accumulation to distribution.
Capital First Trust Company has served families and their trusted legal and financial advisors for over 25 years, bringing depth of experience and continuity to complex trust relationships.
TYPES OF TRUSTS WE ADMINISTER
Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
- Marital, family, and credit shelter trusts
Advanced Planning Trusts
- Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs)
- Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs)
- Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs)
Specialized Trusts of Special Needs Trusts
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
- Asset protection trusts, including delegated and directed structures
Court Supervised Matters
- Guardianships and conservatorships
Frequently asked questions about Advisor Friendly Trusts
If you’re interested in having a proactive and supportive member like Capital First as part of your team, don’t hesitate to contact us. In the meantime, here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful.
No. One of the primary goals is to avoid disruption. In most cases, assets remain with the existing advisor, and they continue managing the portfolio.
- Delegated: We appoint the advisor and oversee performance as part of our fiduciary duty.
- Directed: The advisor (or another party) directs investments, and our role and responsibility is focused on administration.
The right approach depends on how the trust is drafted and the level of responsibility each party wants.
No. The structure is intentionally designed to be non-competitive. The trustee focuses on administration and fiduciary oversight, not asset management, so the advisor relationship stays intact.
We’re still fully responsible for administering the trust; things like distributions, accounting, tax reporting, and making sure the trust terms are followed. Investment management is just one piece of the overall fiduciary picture.
No, but it’s especially valuable where:
- There’s a long-standing advisor relationship
- Multi-generational planning is involved
- Continuity of investment philosophy matters
It’s collaborative. Roles are clearly defined upfront, and we maintain regular communication so administration, investments, and distributions stay aligned.
An individual trustee may not have the infrastructure for administration, compliance, or longevity. This structure combines professional trust administration with the advisor already managing the assets, getting the strengths of both.
Yes. The model is built around a team approach; advisor, attorney, CPA, and trustee working together rather than replacing anyone.