About Michael
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Experienced Trustee
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Licensed Fiduciary
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National Certified Guardian
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Certified Dementia Practitioner
Testimonials
Michael's firm and trustworthy hand on the tiller during a stormy period in my patient's life made everything markedly easier for the entire family!
Dr. Brandon Koretz, MD, MBA
Chair in Geriatric Medicine, UCLA
Michael and I worked together to ensure the highest possible level of end of life care for my client.
Catherine Jonas, CMC, LMFT
CJ & Associates Care Consulting
Founder & President
Michael Polier is a knowledgeable, effective communicator with a grounded sense of ethics and integrity. He is effortless to connect with, highly collaborative, and a genuinely thoughtful fiduciary.
Former Client & Beneficiary
Michael’s conversations with our family ranged from sensitive personal issues to a broad range of challenging estate and financial matters. At all times, Michael exhibits an unwavering commitment to resolving complex situations with highest good for all in mind.
Former Client & Beneficiary
There are certain people who have an uncanny ability to listen well, see around corners, and create a positive and lasting impact on generations. –– Michael is one of them.
Former Client
Michael is extremely thorough and detail oriented. He is prompt and timely with communications and proactive with tasks large and small. Michael is a "get it done" kind of person and it was a pleasure to work with him.
Former Client
About Michael
My experience began with a grantor who developed vascular dementia and who was no longer able to manage his businesses and finances. I stepped in to manage his end of life care, businesses, finances and investments including the Bernie Madoff claw-back. I managed and scheduled his caregivers and numerous doctor appointments. This Grantor developed severe dementia over time and, every step of the way, I endeavored to help him to enjoy a high quality of life.
To further illustrate my experience, another client also developed dementia and was deemed to no longer have capacity to manage his businesses, finances and medical care.
Additionally, there was great acrimony among his beneficiaries, cases of elder abuse (both physical and financial), and a mountain of business and tax related work that needed to be done at a high level. I stepped in and immediately got to work ensuring the Grantor's safety while protecting assets, businesses and property. I did this while being collaborative and communicative with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
The Grantor's children and loved ones were able to hold his hand, in the end, when he passed in a safe and nurturing environment with their estate protected and thriving.
Certifications
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California Licensed Fiduciary
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National Certified Guardian (NCG)
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Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
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Member, Professional Fiduciary Association of California
Qualifications
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Over 10 Years of Experience
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Manage / Oversee Financial Planners & Wealth Managers
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Business Management, Advisory, & Operations
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Manage / Oversee Trust Accounting & Taxes
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Assets / Heirlooms Inventory & Distribution
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Manage / Oversee End of Life Care, Medical & Caregivers
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Real Estate Oversight, Management, & Sales
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Fee Schedule
Polier Trust & Fiduciary provides professional, transparent, and court-compliant fiduciary services. Fees are aligned with California Probate Code and industry standards, and may be subject to court approval when required. Fees are negotiable and determined on a sliding scale, depending on the value of the estate and the complexity of administration.
Client Set-Up Fee
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$3,500 — One-time flat fee for client intake and set-up
Percentage-Based Fees
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0.25% – 1.5% per annum, based on the value of the trust
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This annual fee applies only to ongoing trustee services (e.g., investment oversight, distributions, recordkeeping, and reporting). It is intended as an alternative to hourly billing for standard trustee duties. Extraordinary services (see below) are billed separately on an hourly basis.
Hourly Rates
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Professional Fiduciary / Conservator / Guardian / Agent under POA: $250 – $400 per hour
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Support staff: $120 – $190 per hour
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Time is billed in increments of one-tenth (0.1) of an hour, with a minimum of 0.1 hours per entry.
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Hourly billing applies in matters where a percentage fee is not appropriate, such as conservatorships, powers of attorney, or discrete fiduciary tasks. Hourly billing may also apply in addition to a percentage fee when handling extraordinary services beyond routine trustee duties (e.g., litigation, real estate sales, contested matters).
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Extraordinary Services (XO Fees)
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Extraordinary services are non-routine matters requiring significant expertise or time beyond standard administration. These are billed in addition to percentage-based or hourly trustee fees, and may include:
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Litigation or contested matters
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Complex tax issues or audits
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Real estate sales, management, or environmental compliance (1% – 2% of sales price, depending on complexity)
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Business operations or closely held entity management
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Family disputes, mediation, or settlement negotiations
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Post-Death Administration
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Every estate and trust is unique, and there is no “one size fits all” approach to post-death administration. Fees for these services are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the complexity of the trust, the needs of the beneficiaries, and the scope of administration required. I apply a fair sliding scale and may use percentage-based or hourly billing, as appropriate, to ensure that fees reflect the actual work involved.
All fees are subject to approval by the court when required under California law.