Our Fiduciaries

Marilyn Kriebel

Licensed Professional Fiduciary · CLPF #129

Education & Early Training

In 1980, Marilyn graduated with honors from the University of San Diego Legal Assistant program with an emphasis on Estate Planning and Probate. During and following her time at USD, Marilyn worked as a Probate Legal Assistant in the probate departments of several prominent San Diego law firms. While working at these firms, Marilyn drafted legal documents associated with the administration of Guardianships, Conservatorships, Probate Estates and Trusts, and assisted the named legal representatives (Guardian, Conservator, Executor and Trustee) in carrying out their responsibilities.

Early Career Experience

In 1985, Marilyn established an independent probate legal assistant firm, which provided contract probate paralegal services to local attorneys. Through this practice, she worked with more than 200 attorneys in San Diego and continued to develop her expertise in the administration of guardianships, conservatorships, probates and trusts.

A Difficult Challenge

Shortly after establishing her firm, Marilyn accepted her first court appointment as Administrator of a decedent's estate. What initially appeared to be a straightforward probate estate administration became a complex matter involving significant financial misconduct.

The decedent had operated an accounting firm and, in addition to preparing income tax returns, had been investing the retirement funds of his trusting clients, primarily senior citizens. Marilyn quickly discovered that the decedent had been operating a Ponzi scheme and had squandered the funds of the clients who had placed their faith in him on his extravagant lifestyle.

As part of the estate administration, Marilyn operated and ultimately sold a business, sold real estate, reconstructed financial records associated with the funds that had been entrusted to the decedent for investment purposes, communicated with the more than 50 individuals who had lost their life savings, reviewed and acted on the claims presented by the investors, worked with local law enforcement, and worked with the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the fraudulent income tax returns filed by the decedent. Ultimately Marilyn was able to return approximately 50% of the amount the decedent had misappropriated to the investors.

Focused on Future Growth

Since resolving that first case, Marilyn's professional focus shifted primarily to her work as a private fiduciary. Through her firm, Marilyn has handled more than 600 matters.

Marilyn is licensed by the State of California as a Private Professional Fiduciary and is a member of the Probate Attorneys of San Diego and the Professional Fiduciary Association of California. She has served as President of PFAC's San Diego Chapter, is a member of PFAC's State Board of Directors, and is the Chair of PFAC's Legislative Committee. She has also served as an appointed member of the State of California Judicial Council's Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee for more than 10 years.

Email marilyn@kaafid.com

What Clients Say

"When my dear friend Marie passed away Marilyn became the Successor Trustee of her Trust. I was one of the beneficiaries of Marie's Trust. From day one, until the final distribution, Marilyn kept us informed and let us know what to expect, was available for clarifications, and when dealing with obstacles and personalities, she was impartial, diplomatic and most of all always professional. I am very impressed with her performance and if I or anyone close to me should ever need the services she provides, I will certainly call on her."

H. Arteaga

"My family presented some unique challenges for Marilyn to handle as Successor Trustee of my parents' trusts. These challenges were the reason that previous Trustees declined to continue to administer these family Trusts. Over the years Marilyn has not only met the challenges, she has set standards and expectations which have served to eliminate the disputes that had previously arisen. As a beneficiary I have been delighted with the information that Marilyn supplies and the responses she provides to my inquiries."

Brooke T.

"Prior to their deaths, my parents established several different Trusts of which Marilyn is now serving as Successor Trustee. Each of these Trusts has different terms and provides income to me based on different standards. Over the years, as my personal financial circumstances changed, I have appreciated Marilyn's willingness to consider my changing circumstances and find ways that Trust assets can help address my financial needs. In the event the terms of the Trust prohibit an expenditure that I have requested, Marilyn provides me with an explanation that includes a reference to the Trust. Likewise, when the Trust terms support my request, Marilyn promptly provides me with an explanation and makes Trust assets available to fulfill my request. Marilyn has proved to be a great choice as the Successor Trustee of my parents' Trusts."

L. B.

More from clients & colleagues

"Years ago, a disabled man's son used his position as his Father's Trustee to loot his Father's trust and steal his Father's money. The Probate Judge appointed me to represent the Father. I recommended Marilyn as the new Trustee, and the Probate Court appointed her. Over the next several years, Marilyn chased the son through San Diego's probate courts, the federal bankruptcy courts and – finally – New York's Surrogate Court at which she recovered real property that was sold for cash to benefit of the Father. Marilyn was detailed, tenacious and tough, and did a great job for a gentleman who had been wronged by his own son."

Ralph E. Hughes, Attorney, Hughes & Pizzuto

"As a CPA I have had the pleasure of working with Marilyn on numerous tax related projects. These projects can get complicated, and I have been impressed with Marilyn's ability to recognize, understand and address tax issues. I believe that her ability to understand and help resolve tax issues is part of what makes Marilyn a skilled Professional Fiduciary. When the opportunity arises, I do not hesitate to recommend Marilyn."

Stephen J. Brownell, CPA, Lindsay & Brownell

"When selecting a Professional Fiduciary, I highly recommend the services of Marilyn Kriebel. Her more than 25 years of experience as a Professional Fiduciary make her uniquely qualified to serve as a Fiduciary.

Though now retired, I practiced law in the probate field for over 35 years, and during that time Marilyn Kriebel was unquestionably one of the best Fiduciaries I worked with. She can handle difficult family circumstances and personalities. She is great with tax issues, great with understanding complex business and financial issues and excellent at explaining to others what she is doing and why. I highly recommend her."

Judith M. Copeland, Attorney

"I am a corporate and real estate attorney and have worked with Marilyn for more than five years on a wide variety of transactions. Some of the transactions on which I have worked with Marilyn have been straight-forward and others extremely complex and sophisticated. In each case, I have been extremely impressed with Marilyn's intelligence, compassion for her clients and common sense approach to the many issues that arise as a Professional Fiduciary. When dealing with complex legal issues, Marilyn has an uncanny ability to understand what is truly important, separate the “wheat from the chaff” and to fashion practical and favorable solutions for her clients. I highly recommend Marilyn as a Professional Fiduciary."

David S. Minton, Attorney, Solomon Minton Cardinal LLP