This interactive presentation (including a few short video clips) explores beneficiary expectations and inter-family dynamics which often become problematic and emotionally distressing for the professional fiduciary. With audience participation, we will review ways to moderate and mediate unreasonable beneficiary expectations, when or when not to engage in family disputes, how to deal with bullies, and ways to minimize or eliminate the fiduciary’s emotional distress and liability exposure. The presentation will discuss these topics in the context of probate, trust, and conservatorship cases, which tend to have overlapping, but different emotional impacts for the conservatee’s family and future beneficiaries. The intended presentation will expand upon a presentation given for the East Bay chapter several years ago which was very well received and prompted great audience participation.
B2 – Managing Beneficiary Expectations and Family Dynamics – Practical Advice to Save Yourself From Agony and Liability Exposure
Speakers
Cecilia Tsang
Cecilia Tsang is an attorney in Sacramento practicing with the firm of Bold, Polisner, Maddow, Nelson & Judson. She has spent virtually her entire legal career helping families in the area of Trusts and Estates. Cecilia earned both her undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate (law) degree at the University of California, Davis. Unlike most Trust and Estate attorneys, Cecilia knew she wanted to practice in the area of Trusts and Estates before she finished law school. She realized that the relationship an attorney practicing in that field has with their clients and their families is closer and more enjoyable than in any other legal field. The biggest compliment any client can pay her is by saying that she has provided them with peace of mind for their family and their experience with her was pleasant.
Cecilia is an accomplished public speaker and is invited frequently to educate clients as well as professionals in related fields about Trusts and Estates. Her goal is to serve as a valuable resource to her clients and professional partners through the education she provides. Cecilia’s practice focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Conservatorship, Litigation, and Mediation.
During her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and competing in Pickleball Tournaments.
Craig Judson
Bold Polisner Maddow Nelson & Judson
Craig Judson is the Managing Shareholder of Bold, Polisner, Maddow, Nelson & Judson, APC. This multi-generational law firm has offices in Walnut Creek and Sacramento. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Davis in 1981 in political science / public service, graduating with cum laude and with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He also earned his Juris Doctor from the UC Davis School of Law in 1984.
His practice focuses primarily in the area of estate and trust planning, trust and probate administration, conservatorships, guardianships, elder abuse, and related litigation. Over the past 41 years, he has served as general counsel and litigation counsel for multiple water/public agencies. He currently serves as General Counsel to the North Marin Water District, and litigation counsel for the Contra Costa Water District and Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District, and previously was general counsel to the Valley of the Moon Water District and numerous smaller agencies. For private clients, his broad legal experience involves personal injury, real estate, construction defect, and contract disputes, in addition to probate and trust litigation.
Craig loves to teach and mentor young attorneys. Since 2016, he has been a member of the UC Davis School of Law faculty, teaching practical skills classes in the area of Trusts and Estates and Civil Litigation. He is a three-time past president of their local synagogue, serving on the board of directors for 27 years. He recently completed six-years of service on the board of directors for The Reutlinger Community, a non-profit 180-bed senior facility in Danville which provides assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care, and currently serves on the board of directors for Eskaton, a non-profit owning or operating 24 senior facilities in Northern California, including The Reutlinger Community. He is also a director for A Brighter Day, a non-profit charity which provides resources and support for Bay Area teenagers struggling with feelings of depression, sadness, isolation, stress, and suicide.
Craig resides in Walnut Creek with his wife of 43+ years, Jill, a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary and paralegal. The entire Judson family are alums of UC Davis. Their son, Scott, is the supervising attorney in the firm’s Sacramento office, focusing in trusts and estates. Their daughter, Stacy, is an elementary school principal. Craig and Jill have four grandchildren who are absolutely the “greatest gift in life” their children could ever give.
In his free time, Craig is a contributing editor in multiple publications for CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar) in the trusts and estates practice area, serves as a private arbitrator and mediator through the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Craig is a frequent lecturer on current legal topics for various organizations and conferences, including PFAC.