PATRICIA L. BARR

               I have been a Licensed (No. 87) as a Professional Fiduciary since the very first day the California Bureau was created in June 2008. Before the possibility of licensing, my debut Fiduciary case was in 2002. Since 1984,  I was, and remain, a Licensed California Realtor.

               Over the past twenty-plus years, I have been involved in a combination of Private and Court appointed and supervised cases.  I am privileged to assist and guide clients through the minefields of Trusts and Estates. I’ve rescued people, cats and dogs – even a pony and a donkey. I’ve emptied structures whose roofs collapsed when garbage, piled floor to literal ceiling, was removed. Siting vigil, often alone, more times than I can count. I’ve arranged innumerable funerals, wakes and burials.

                Each case is unique. In the administration of a decedents Trust, often the first time the interested parties, learn that I have been appointed is at the time of death. The decision to select me and not a family member is fraught with anger and anguish because of the perceived betrayal. Explaining to the beneficiaries that the house will be sold, the contents inventoried, the ring promised was not mentioned in the documents. Conservatorship cases begin because the elder may have been the victim of abuse, financial, psychological and/or neglect. Their medical condition may require a move to a facility that will safeguard their care and comfort. The people who perpetrated or allowed the elder to languish are angry, at me.

                While the majority of my cases all have an aspect of anxiety and anger. I acknowledge that the cases that come to me are neither neat nor tidy.  Over these two decades, many of my cases were volatile, and vicious. I have endured threats of violence, received decomposing animals, 9MM rounds, letters from prisoners, my vehicle license plates were stolen and used in a crime. I’ve had to file countless restraining orders. Then add, being called every vulgar name in the book, in several languages.

                As I enter my third decade in this practice, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time for me to stop accepting new cases, referrals and future Trustee/Court appointments. My intention is to wrap-up my current cases and appointments. My objective is  to maintain traditional office hours and finally enjoy  longer weekends and vacations. My email will have away days posted in the footer. Thankfully, I have a protégé who is in the process of being Licensed as a Professional Fiduciary. I am confident that she can step into cases that I decline.

in confelicity,

Patricia L. Barr