SOUTH BAY ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

RSVPs for this event are closed.  Please call Angela at 310-529-4973 to see if there are any cancellations.

This presentation will provide professional fiduciaries with a candid look at how the legal landscape has shifted since the establishment of the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau in 2007.

• Early Days vs. Now – Monica will contrast the initial era of trust and optimism toward professional fiduciaries with today’s stricter court environments, new judges, and increased regulatory oversight.
• Challenges for Fiduciaries – The discussion highlights increased media scrutiny, the impact of “bad apples” on public perception, and the growing complexity of caseloads, often involving contested family situations.
• Legal Framework & Deadlines – Monica will review critical California Probate Code timelines, including requirements for inventory and appraisals, trust accountings, and responses to beneficiary demands, emphasizing the risks of noncompliance.
• Court Expectations – Attendees will learn about the current “follow the law or else” culture in probate courts, the reduced flexibility for continuances, and the importance of meeting deadlines.
• Practical Guidance – Monica will offer tools and strategies for fiduciaries, such as using attorneys, CPAs, and financial planners to stay compliant, manage caseloads, and avoid pitfalls.

The session will close with a Q&A, reinforcing the importance of proactive communication and disciplined administration practices to ensure fiduciaries meet legal and court obligations.

About our Speaker

Monica Goel is the Managing Partner at TLD Law and a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization. With over twenty-five years of experience, she focuses her practice on estate planning, trust administration, probate administration, conservatorships, elder law, and related litigation. Known for her ability to navigate complex and sensitive legal situations, Monica has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyers (2019–2025) and is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell.

She is a frequent lecturer on trust and probate administration, fiduciary liability, and legal ethics, and has published in the Daily Journal and OC Lawyer Magazine. Monica also brings a strong academic background as a former adjunct professor at UCI and Cerritos College. She primarily works out of the firm’s Irvine and Long Beach offices.

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