CTFA case studies

CTFA · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) is a professional credential that appears within the American Bankers Association's certifications portfolio, listed alongside other ABA designations such as the CRCM, CFMP, CAFP, CERP, and CISP. It is intended for practitioners who administer trusts and support fiduciary decisions - trust officers, personal trust administrators, wealth management and private banking professionals, and advisors serving estates and fiduciary accounts. The CTFA case studies are 5 cases and about 5,108 words.

The Co-Trustee Who Wants $250,000 for a Dental Practice

Elena, a widow, created an irrevocable trust in 2016 for her son Marcus, age 41. The instrument directs the trustee to distribute 'so much of income and principal as the trustee, in its sole discretion, deems advisable for Marcus's health, education, maintenance, and support in his accustomed standard of living.' Marcus serves as co-trustee with Harlow Trust Company, and the instrument permits him to participate in decisions affecting distributions to himself only with the corporate trustee's written consent.

973 words, about 5 min 2

Blended Family, a Sunset, and an Illiquid Business

Harold, age 72, and his second wife Dana, age 68, have combined assets of about 14.2 million: Harold 9.6 million, Dana 4.6 million. Harold's three children from his first marriage are in their 40s.

1,003 words, about 5 min 3

Concentrated Stock in a Trust with an Income Beneficiary

The Whitcomb Trust holds 5.4 million: 3.35 million (62%) in shares of a single publicly traded company where the founder's family is concentrated, with a 280,000 basis; the balance in a diversified portfolio. The trust pays all net income to Alice, age 78, and on her death the remainder passes to her three children.

1,063 words, about 5 min 4

DNI, the 65-Day Election, and a Beneficiary in the 12% Bracket

The Kessler Trust is an irrevocable, non-grantor complex trust with a calendar year. For 2024 it reports interest of 40,000, qualified dividends of 20,000, net rental income of 50,000, and long-term capital gain of 120,000 allocated to corpus under the governing instrument.

1,032 words, about 5 min 5

A $95,000 Trust That Costs $4,600 a Year to Administer

The Langdale Trust is a testamentary trust created in 2009 for Ellen, now 34. It holds 95,000 in a balanced portfolio.

1,037 words, about 5 min