Answers from our Chief Fiduciary Officer

For our Chief Fiduciary Officer, Gentry Byrnes, serving clients is personal. Initially drawn to the value of counselling and interpersonal relationships in business, Gentry focused her undergraduate studies on industrial psychology. This has always influenced her legal career and how she provides advice for her clients’ long term best interests. As an attorney, Gentry felt privileged to walk alongside her clients through some of the most traumatic events in their lives, guiding and advocating for them and their families. Gentry’s desire to remain a trusted advisor and advocate for her clients throughout their lives, and for their successors, led her to the important work as a fiduciary. Here, Gentry answers some of the most important questions we receive at Adelphi Trust about how we serve our clients as fiduciaries, advisors, and committed partners through every milestone in their lives.

Q A

Why do I need a corporate trustee?

The term “corporate trustee” can sound a bit clinical, and it’s understandable why many clients first instinct is to assign someone they know personally. Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have seen firsthand that the vast majority of trust litigation occurs with family member trustees. Acting as a trustee is a complex and demanding position, and not every individual has the experience or time to successfully fulfill the role. As a trustee, the individual is assuming personal liability, which is a significant burden to place on someone who likely does not have the experience necessary to ensure all laws are followed, the grantors’ wishes are fulfilled, and the beneficiaries are taken care of as required.

Q A Why Adelphi Trust?

At Adelphi Trust, we have deep experience and expertise in working with families. While you may be the client who needs to assign a trustee, we understand you have wishes beyond your own future, for your loved ones and future generations of beneficiaries. We look beyond a single individual or generation work to ensure your family goals are met, to help younger family members accrue and protect wealth and understand the significance of their generational wealth.

At Adelphi Trust, we are devoted experts with over 100 years of combined experience. We are deeply familiar with the statutory requirements and legal and fiduciary responsibilities as well as the best practices for complex types of trustee roles, such as of a trust for a child with special needs. Unlike an individual, corporate trustees are able to continue their work in perpetuity, without a need for a complex succession plan.

As your trustee, we will serve as an objective, conflictfree advisor, ensuring your plan is secure yet agile enough to meet your changing needs, or those of your beneficiaries, throughout your lives and beyond.

Over my 30-year career, I have seen families struggle to find a trust company that can provide the customized solutions they are looking for. At Adelphi Trust, we’re able to work with estate attorneys to craft the best plan to meet a client’s goals, ensuring their unique family circumstances and goals for the future are reflected in their trusts.

Q A