Welcome to San Diego Trustee & Consulting
At San Diego Trustee & Consulting, we provide independent fiduciary services and trustee consulting for complex, high-value estates — particularly those involving investment real estate, lending relationships, or closely held businesses.
With nearly 40 years of experience in San Diego commercial banking, asset oversight, and risk management, we help ensure estates are protected, beneficiaries are respected, and trustees receive the steady guidance they need.
Effective trust administration requires hands-on financial experience — asking the right questions, selecting the right professionals, and aligning all parties for the good of the estate.
Services
Trustee Consulting
Customized support for trustees needing help while maintaining control.
Acting as a trustee can be overwhelming — but handing off the role entirely may not feel like the right move. Trustee Consulting offers customized support and advisory input, while allowing the original trustee to maintain control.
Independent Trustee Services
Full administration with independence and credibility.
A trustee must be more than technically competent — they must be someone you can trust to administer the estate as intended, uphold fiduciary duties, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
Trusts with Lender or Creditor Issues
Specialized support for navigating trust-related lending scenarios.
Trusts with outstanding loans or personal guarantees require careful handling. With nearly 40 years of local commercial banking experience, we have the credibility and knowledge to ease creditor concerns and achieve win/win outcomes.
Expert Witness & Litigation Support
Bank conduct and lending practices.
SDTC is available for litigation support and expert witness services in matters involving bank conduct, lending practices, trustee duties, and trust-related credit disputes.
About San Diego Trustee & Consulting
San Diego Trustee & Consulting is led by Scott Ripperton, a San Diego-based financial professional with over 40 years of experience in banking, investments, and risk management.
Scott began his career with the iconic San Diego Trust & Savings Bank in 1985 and went on to work locally with California Bank & Trust, Torrey Pines Bank, and Wells Fargo, where he spent 17 years — first as a Series 7-licensed Private Banker, then as Business Banking Manager for the San Diego region. In addition to being securities licensed (not active), he was also licensed in Life Insurance (inactive), Credit Risk Certified by the Risk Management Association, and a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.
Recognizing a need for practical, financially skilled fiduciary services, Scott completed the Professional Fiduciary Management Certification Program at Cal State Fullerton and is now a licensed California Professional Fiduciary (CLPF #1576).
He brings firsthand insight into lender expectations, institutional conduct, and the risks families face when trusts are tied to business loans, commercial property, or banking relationships. Over four decades, he has built a reputation for integrity, sound judgment, and practical insight - qualities that make him a capable and trustworthy fiduciary to both families and professionals.
Hourly rates currently range from $195 to $295 depending on the nature and complexity of services. A detailed written fee schedule is available upon request and can be provided during the initial consultation. SDTC does not provide legal advice, tax advice, or investment services. Any information or guidance provided by SDTC is intended to solely assist in the administration of trusts and estates in accordance with applicable law and the governing documents, and shall not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice in those areas.
Why I Started SDTC
During my banking career, I saw too many family fortunes lose significant value when their founder aged or passed — because there was no “backup quarterback” to provide leadership and coordination among the financial team.
Families were also let down by those they trusted — sold inappropriate investments, mistreated by lenders, overcharged for services, and left in the dark due to poor communication.
I founded SDTC to do things differently: independent, practical fiduciary guidance with no hidden institutional agenda — just a focus on preserving value and honoring intent.