{"id":1198,"date":"2026-10-16T01:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T01:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-139-105-30.nip.io\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services-law-firm-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T07:54:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T07:54:00","slug":"professional-trustee-and-executor-services-law-firm-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/trustcounsel.com\/resources\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services-law-firm-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Trustee and Personal Representative Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"<article lang=\"en\">\n<h1>Professional Trustee and Personal Representative Advice<\/h1>\n<p>This page explains professional trustee and executor services in Florida and how a Florida trusts and estates law firm can help. A professional trustee or personal representative is a fiduciary who manages a trust or estate for others and may be paid for it. Trust Counsel, PL does not serve in that role. The firm advises and represents trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries, and Trust Counsel&#8217;s attorneys can serve individually as trustee or personal representative. What the role requires depends on the governing instrument and Florida law.<\/p>\n<h2>What Professional Trustee and Personal Representative Services Are<\/h2>\n<p>A professional trustee or personal representative is a fiduciary who may be asked to manage a trust or estate for a fee, subject to the governing instrument and Florida law. Florida&#8217;s probate code uses the term personal representative, and many readers know the role as an executor.<\/p>\n<p>Trust Counsel, PL does not serve as trustee or personal representative. Trust Counsel&#8217;s attorneys can serve individually as trustee or personal representative, and the firm advises and represents trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries.<\/p>\n<p>Advice and fiduciary service are different roles. An advisor explains the documents and the law. A fiduciary carries out duties that depend on the trust or will and on Florida law. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.actec.org\/podcast\/lawyers-as-trustees\/\">ACTEC on lawyers as trustees<\/a> notes that lawyers who serve as fiduciaries may be compensated, and that fiduciary and legal services can involve separate fees. The firm&#8217;s only office is in Coral Gables, Florida.<\/p>\n<h2>Who This Service Is For<\/h2>\n<p>This service fits Florida families, fiduciaries and beneficiaries who face a trust or estate decision and want legal guidance on it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Families who need a trustee or personal representative and have no relative who is able or willing to serve. Whether an independent fiduciary fits depends on the trust or will.<\/li>\n<li>Trustees and personal representatives who have questions about notices, inventories and accountings under their documents.<\/li>\n<li>Beneficiaries and heirs who want to understand how a trust or estate is being administered.<\/li>\n<li>Business owners and high-net-worth families planning successor trustee arrangements and business succession.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you&#8217;re still weighing a professional fiduciary against an individual one or legal advice alone, a review of your documents can help you compare the options.<\/p>\n<h2>What the Service Covers<\/h2>\n<p>The service covers legal advice and representation on trust and estate administration, with the scope set by the documents and Florida law.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Trust administration.<\/strong> Review of the trust instrument, trustee powers and distributions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inventory.<\/strong> Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0733\/Sections\/0733.604.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 733.604<\/a>, a personal representative files a verified inventory unless one was filed earlier. How this applies depends on the facts of each case.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Creditor notices.<\/strong> Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0733\/Sections\/0733.2121.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 733.2121<\/a>, a personal representative makes a diligent search for reasonably ascertainable creditors. Impracticable and extended searches are not required.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Successor transitions.<\/strong> Advice on accepting a trusteeship. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0736\/Sections\/0736.0701.html\">\u00a7 736.0701<\/a>, a designated trustee who doesn&#8217;t accept within a reasonable time is deemed to have declined.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Litigation advice.<\/strong> Counsel for fiduciaries and beneficiaries when disputes arise. Trust Counsel&#8217;s attorney may advise or represent clients, depending on the governing instrument, applicable law and the facts of each case.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Compensation questions.<\/strong> Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0736\/Sections\/0736.0708.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 736.0708<\/a>, a trustee is entitled to reasonable compensation when the trust terms are silent. A personal representative&#8217;s commission is governed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0733\/Sections\/0733.617.html\">\u00a7 733.617<\/a>. Both depend on the instrument, any court order and the facts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How the Engagement Works<\/h2>\n<p>An engagement can begin with a consultation. The steps that follow depend on the documents and the facts.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Initial consultation.<\/strong> Review of the trust, will or estate papers and the people involved.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Identify the governing instrument.<\/strong> Determine which Florida law applies to your question.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Agree on scope.<\/strong> The client and the attorney agree on the work to be done.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Advise or represent.<\/strong> The attorney may guide the client through notices, accountings and reporting, depending on the governing instrument, applicable law and the facts of each case.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Close out.<\/strong> Timing depends on the assets, the court process and any disputes. No result is promised.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For an irrevocable trust, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0736\/Sections\/0736.0813.html\">\u00a7 736.0813<\/a> calls for a trust accounting at least annually. A qualified beneficiary may waive that duty in writing. How the statute applies depends on the trust terms and the facts.<\/p>\n<h2>How Fees Are Set and What to Expect on Cost<\/h2>\n<p>Fees are agreed between the client and the attorney according to the scope of work.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Court costs, filing fees and other third-party costs may apply. The engagement agreement describes which costs may apply to a matter.<\/li>\n<li>A fiduciary&#8217;s compensation is set by the governing instrument, a court order or Florida statute, and depends on the facts of each case.<\/li>\n<li>An attorney who serves as trustee can face limits. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0736\/Sections\/0736.0708.html\">\u00a7 736.0708(4)(a), and depending on the governing<\/a> instrument, applicable Florida law and the facts of each case, an attorney who prepared or supervised the trust naming them may not be entitled to compensation for serving unless statutory disclosures were made before signing, subject to the exceptions stated in the statute.<\/li>\n<li>The firm offers a free first consultation. It is confidential and carries no obligation to continue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Why Work With Trust Counsel, PL<\/h2>\n<p>Trust Counsel, PL concentrates in trusts and estates matters from its single office in Coral Gables, Florida.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Leslie V. Marenco is the lawyer named on this page. Support staff assist with the administrative work of each matter.<\/li>\n<li>We serve clients in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Doral, Kendall, Pinecrest, Key Biscayne and Aventura.<\/li>\n<li>Professional fiduciaries may bring organization, recordkeeping and reporting discipline to a role. How that helps depends on the governing instrument and applicable law.<\/li>\n<li>Trust Counsel&#8217;s attorneys can serve individually as trustee or personal representative, subject to the limits described above.<\/li>\n<li>Leslie V. Marenco is responsible for the content of this page. Florida&#8217;s lawyer advertising rules require a bona fide office location, as set out in <a href=\"https:\/\/www-media.floridabar.org\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB.pdf#page=200\">Florida Bar Rule 4-7.12<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Questions Readers Ask Before Hiring a Fiduciary Advisor<\/h2>\n<p>Short answers appear below. Each one depends on the governing instrument and Florida law.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can Trust Counsel, PL serve as my trustee or personal representative?<\/strong><br \/>\nNo. The firm does not serve as a fiduciary, but its attorneys can serve individually, depending on the documents and Florida law.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do I always need a professional fiduciary?<\/strong><br \/>\nThat depends on the trust or will, the assets and your family&#8217;s situation. Whether professional trustee and executor services fit depends on those facts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will a professional fiduciary end family disagreement?<\/strong><br \/>\nResults depend on the governing instrument, applicable law and the facts of each case. No outcome is promised.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How is the fee set?<\/strong><br \/>\nFees are agreed between the client and the attorney according to the scope of work. Fiduciary compensation follows the instrument, any court order or statute.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is the first conversation free?<\/strong><br \/>\nThe firm offers a free first consultation, which is confidential and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n<h2>Talk With Leslie V. Marenco About Your Fiduciary Question<\/h2>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve been named trustee or personal representative, or you&#8217;re a beneficiary facing an administration decision, a conversation about your documents is a useful next step. Call (305) 707-7126, <a href=\"https:\/\/trustcounsel.com\/contact\/\">schedule online<\/a>, or book a free strategy call to review the governing instrument and the Florida law that applies. Results depend on the facts of each case.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>Trust Counsel, PL, 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 802, Coral Gables, FL 33134. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Viewing this website does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor is it intended to do so.<\/em><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><!-- chg:section-siblings --><\/p>\n<nav aria-label=\"More in this section\">\n<h2>More in this section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/resources\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/what-are-the-disadvantages-of-being-an-executor\/\">What are the disadvantages of being an executor?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/resources\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/what-are-the-four-main-types-of-trusts\/\">What are the four main types of trusts?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/resources\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/what-happens-if-an-executor-refuses-to-provide-an-accounting\/\">What happens if an executor refuses to provide an accounting?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/resources\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/what-is-the-5-year-rule-for-trusts\/\">What is the 5 year rule for trusts?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services\/professional-trustee-and-executor-services-law-firm-kendall\/\">Professional Trustee And Executor Services Law Firm Kendall<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<p><!-- \/chg:section-siblings --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trust Counsel, PL in Coral Gables offers legal advice for Florida trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries. Fiduciary duties depend on the governing instrument.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Leslie V. 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