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What Is a Fiduciary—and What Does CFS Actually Do?

A fiduciary is a trusted agent legally obligated to act in your best interests. Here’s what that means in plain English—and how Certified Fiduciary Services supports families day-to-day.

When you hear the word fiduciary, think “trusted decision-maker with a legal duty to put you first.” In finance and estate contexts, fiduciaries owe duties of loyalty and care—they must act in a client’s best interests, avoid conflicts, and make prudent, well-informed decisions. SEC

At CFS, we bring that standard to everyday life events and complex transitions. Depending on your needs and the court’s orders, a professional fiduciary can serve in roles such as:

  • Agent under Power of Attorney (financial or medical)
  • Trustee for a living or testamentary trust
  • Guardian/Conservator for an adult who needs support with personal or financial decisions
  • Personal Representative for an estate (sometimes called “executor”)

In Arizona, for example, licensed fiduciaries are regulated through the Arizona Supreme Court’s Fiduciary Licensing Program and frequently serve as court-appointed guardians, conservators, trustees, or personal representatives. azcourts.gov

How CFS helps families

  • Financial administration: bill pay, budgeting, recordkeeping, and reporting
  • Care coordination: collaborating with physicians, care managers, and facilities
  • Trust & estate administration: implementing the documents as written; timely distributions; clear records
  • Court and compliance: meeting reporting deadlines and maintaining required standards

Important: CFS follows your documents and court orders. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice—see Post #5 for how we coordinate with your attorney.

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Emma Berk – Fiduciary Assistant

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