Registration

Darby Jones, Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida

Session 1: Finding Your First Client and Tracking Future Clients

Session 2: First Steps of a Business

Understand the appropriate way to establish your business and legal entity options. Develop critical business protocols and operations to protect yourself, your clients, and your employees. Continue to assess your insurance and liability exposures.

LUNCH, Networking, and Visit Exhibitors

Session 3: How to GROW Your Business

Establish reliable bookkeeping, accounting, and budget reports designed to monitor your cash flow and your client’s financial records. Consider various methods for the important role of client follow up and fostering of long-term relationships. Review possible client tracking, management, and ongoing administration options.

Session 4: Setting Up Basics of Your Systems and Professional Relationships

How and when to invest in technology or software that may offer support, growth, and security. How and when to hire (and fire) 3rd party professionals such as attorneys, CPAs, or investment advisors to advance your expertise and grow your business.

BREAK

Session 5: Panel discussion and Q & A

Panelists: Ali Goff, Darby Jones, Betsy Leslie, Andrew Sasso Esq.; Darren Vermost.

This interactive panel brings experienced fiduciaries and industry experts sharing real-world advice on launching and growing your practice. Bring your questions for a lively and practical discussion.

Session 6: Top 10 “Red Flags” and Ethical Dilemmas for Fiduciaries

Speaker: John P. Cole, Esq., Gunster P.A.

Serving as a fiduciary can be deeply rewarding – but also fraught with ethical challenges and risks. Learn how to recognize and navigate the top 10 fiduciary red flags that may expose you to liability. Learn practical tips and tools to make ethical decisions to protect yourself and your clients from litigation.

Competency Focus: Ethics, Risk Management, Fiduciary Duty

Closing Remarks and BREAK

Cocktail Reception, Networking, Exhibitors

Registration, Continental Breakfast, Exhibitors

Late registration if space available, light breakfast items, visit Exhibitors.

Welcome and Opening Announcements including a unique and interactive prize worthy challenge for all attendees!

Darby Jones, Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida

Session 1: Annual Legislative Update and Fiduciary Caselaw Highlights

Speaker: Liz Hughes, Esq.

This important annual review of recent legislation and case law decisions or trends that shape fiduciary practice and will improve your knowledge base and client service as a Professional Fiduciary or for someone representing fiduciaries. Ms. Hughes will also discuss the valuable contribution that the Guardianship and Power of Attorney Committee of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section makes and share current priorities and committee work that is important to Practitioners and Professional Fiduciaries alike.

Competency Focus: Legal and Legislative update, Professional Standards

Session 2: Adventures in Real Estate! A Road Map for Fiduciaries

Speaker: Rebecca Bell, Esq.

Real Property issues can be some of the most challenging aspects of fiduciary service. Ms. Bell will explore the many traps and concerns to be aware of and prepared for when dealing with real property within an estate, a trust, a Guardianship, or as Agent under a Power of Attorney.

Competency Focus: Legal, real property and asset protection

Break/Visit Exhibitors

Session 3: How, When, or Why to Fix a Trust…. Decanting, Termination, Reformations, Amendments, Modifications, Interpretation, and More

Speakers: Angela Adams, Esq., and Andrew Sasso, Esq.

Join two experienced attorneys for a practical presentation on "fixing" trusts. Through real-world stories, cautionary tales, and specific procedural tips, they will explore the tools available to fiduciaries and practitioners- from decanting and reformation to judicial modification and termination - highlighting when each option may be available, the opportunities each provides, and the hidden pitfalls.

Competency Focus: Trust Administration, Legal Compliance

Session 4: Sticky Situations for Fiduciaries!

Speaker: Darby Jones, JD., Professional Fiduciary

A candid and entertaining look at the unpredictable side of fiduciary service and many useful tips and suggestions to better serve your clients and protect your sanity. DCF calling? Hospice nurse a no-show? Managing emergencies with the EMT or 911. Butting heads at the hospital? Caregiver drama? Managing from a distance?

Competency Focus: Case Management, Professionalism

Lunch/Networking/Visit Exhibitors

Session 5: How Not to Step In It, When Serving as a Personal Representative or Curator

Speaker: Jeff Eisel, Esq.

These roles can be very rewarding but may also be complicated and challenging. As a litigator, Jeff will share best practices, tips, and useful guidance for successful experience as a Personal Representative or Curator. No estate is the same, so recognizing how to “not step in it” can be valuable to avoid common mistakes and maintain compliance at every step.

Competency Focus: Estate Administration, Fiduciary Dut

Session 6: Leveraging AI in Fiduciary Practice

Speaker: Jason Waddell, Esq.

This session explores how AI can enhance decision-making, automate routine tasks, and enhance client communication, while also raising important questions about ethics, oversight, and human judgment.

Competency Focus: Technology, Ethics

Break/Visit Exhibitors

Session 7: Investment Relationships, What Every Fiduciary Must Know

Speaker: Rachel Barlow, Esq.

An important discussion on the selection, change, monitoring, and utilization of appropriate investment relationships to satisfy your fiduciary and prudent investment duties. Guidance on developing budgets and exercising challenging discretionary distributions.

Competency Focus: Fiduciary Duty and Compliance

Closing Remarks and GRAND PRIZE for winner of challenge!