Whenever a fiduciary role is named in the drafting interview, the system uses the same levels-based selection structure.
This framework applies across estate planning packages, including:
Personal Representatives
Trustees
Agents under powers of attorney
The structure is consistent regardless of the document in which the fiduciary appears.
The Levels-Based Appointment Structure
Fiduciaries are appointed by level. Each fiduciary section begins by selecting how many levels of appointment to include. The system supports up to four total levels:
Initial
1st Successor
2nd Successor
3rd Successor
You may include only an Initial fiduciary or add up to three successor tiers.
Each level represents a priority of appointment. The document moves to the next level only if no fiduciary at the prior level is able or willing to serve.
Selecting Fiduciaries at Each Level
For each level included, one or more individuals may be selected.
For example, on the Personal Representative tab, you may name:
An Initial Personal Representative
A 1st Successor
A 2nd Successor
A 3rd Successor
The document first looks to the Initial level. If no fiduciary at that level can serve, authority passes to the next successor level.
This same structure applies whether selecting Trustees, Agents, or other fiduciary roles.
Co-Fiduciaries at the Same Level
More than one fiduciary may be appointed at a single level. To add a co-fiduciary at any level:
Locate the level (Initial, 1st Successor, etc.) in the selection grid
Click Add within that level’s grid
Select the additional person to serve
Each additional name entered within the same level becomes a co-fiduciary serving concurrently at that level.
You may add multiple co-fiduciaries within a single level if the client intends them to serve together.
When more than one fiduciary is listed at the same level:
They are appointed to serve together
They act as co-fiduciaries
If one co-fiduciary cannot serve, the remaining co-fiduciary(ies) at that level may continue to act
The appointment advances to the next successor level only if none of the fiduciaries at the current level are able or willing to serve.
If you experience issues adding names within a grid or if the grid does not behave as expected, refer to this article for guidance on adding, editing, and removing entries in grids.