A. Firm Information
Family Fiduciary Services, Inc. (“FFSI” or the “Firm”) was organized in October 2007 as a
corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal office and place of business
located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (“Massachusetts”). FFSI’s registration as an
investment adviser with Massachusetts became effective in April 2008; in July of 2020, the Firm
transition to registration as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission
1.
The Firm’s Principal Owner and President is Mr. David L. Grey, who also serves as FFSI’s Chief
Compliance Officer.
FFSI formulates its advice as part of its investment committee. Members of the investment committee
include Mr. Grey, Mr. Stephen N. Wilchins, ESQ, Dr. Lawrence G. Miller, Dan Rea III. The committee
members meet quarterly. Its agenda generally consists of the economic outlook, market performance,
target asset allocations, and review of client accounts. Client accounts are reviewed in relation to their
asset allocation targets and performance.
Mr. Grey is the only committee member that has direct client contact and is responsible for the
day-to-day management of client accounts.
B. Description of Services
FFSI provides Investment Management Services (“IMS”) to individuals, high net worth,
corporations, trusts, and foundations (collectively, “Client” or “Clients”). The Firm’s IMS is offered
on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. In connection with the Firm’s IMS offering,
FFSI also offers Trustee Services, Bill Paying and Related Services.
Investment Management Services
FFSI provides customized Investment Management Services solutions. This is achieved through
regular Client contact and interaction while providing non-discretionary investment management.
The Firm works closely with each Client to identify their investment objectives and risk tolerance to
construct the optimal asset allocation. Asset allocation consists of allocating Client assets amongst
various asset classes in attempt to seek the optimal return for a given level of risk. Once the optimal
asset allocation is agreed upon, the Firm will implement a portfolio through the purchase of mutual
funds, exchange-traded funds, and cash equivalents (e.g., money market funds, Treasury Bills).
The Firm’s investment strategies are primarily long-term focused, but the Firm may buy, sell or re-
allocate positions that have been held less than one year to meet the objectives of the Client or due
to market conditions. FFSI will construct, implement, and monitor the portfolio to ensure it meets
the goals, objectives, circumstances, and risk tolerance agreed to by the Client. Each Client will
have the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in their
respective portfolio, subject to agreement by FFSI
2.
FFSI selects investments for inclusion in Client portfolios after a thorough evaluation process. The
Firm recommend, on occasion, redistributing investment allocations to diversify the portfolio. FFSI
may recommend specific positions to increase sector or asset class weightings. The Firm may
recommend selling positions for reasons that include, but are not limited to, harvesting capital gains
1 Registration as an investment Adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission is not intended to imply any level of skill or training.
2 As a fiduciary, the Firm must ensure that asset allocation or securities purchased are in the best interest of each Client.
or losses, or change in risk tolerance. For the fees associated
with Investment Management
Services, please see “Item 5 – Fees and Compensation”.
The Use of Sub-Advisors, Direct Indexing, and Discretionary Investment Management
As part of the Firm’s discretionary investment management offering, FFSI may incorporate a direct indexing
strategy for all or a portion of your assets managed. FFSI utilizes the direct indexing services of Fidelity
Institutional Wealth Adviser LLC (“FIWA”). In this capacity, FFSI engages FIWA as a sub-adviser, tasked
with discretionary investment management over the assets allocated to FIWA.
FIWA’s direct indexing strategy provides customized separately managed account portfolios that consider tax
effects for taxable clients. Taxable accounts generally invest in equity securities and are managed using
investing techniques that seek to enhance after-tax returns, including, without limitation, harvesting tax losses
and analyzing tax lots. FIWA seeks to provide, consistent with the client mandated investment guidelines,
improved returns over the designated benchmark on an after-tax basis.
Trustee Services
In connection with IMS, the Firm also serves as trustee. A trustee is a person or entity that holds and
administers property or assets for the benefit of a third party. Trustees are trusted to make decisions in
the beneficiary’s best interest and have fiduciary responsibility to the trust beneficiaries.
A trustee is thus responsible for the proper management of all property and other assets owned by the
trust for the benefit of a beneficiary. A trustee’s specific duties are unique to the agreement of the trust
and dictated by the type of assets being held in trust. Trustees are also required to financially manage
and oversee accounts within a trust when it is made up of other investments, like equities in an
investment advisory account.
FFSI will serve as corporate trustee as needed. Mr. Grey will also serve as individual trustee as needed.
Bill Paying and Tax Organization Services
In connection with IMS, FFSI also offers bill paying and related services. Bill paying is a convenient and
secure way to ensure monthly bills and expense are paid correctly and on time with the goal of reducing
the burden and family stress. FFSI scrutinizes every bill for accuracy, identifies errors, and resolves any
issues on the client’s behalf. Advantages include:
● bills paid correctly and on time based on a Client’s monthly budget
● no longer a need to track bills
● no more concerns over receiving late fees or penalties
● personal service in the event a Client has questions
Tax Organization Services include organizing records for tax preparation and related tasks.
C. IMS Tailored to the Individual Needs of Each Client and Imposition of Reasonable Restrictions
Investment management service offerings allow tailored solutions and reasonable restrictions.
Based on a client’s risk tolerance and goals, FFSI will develop a custom-tailored solution to help
clients meet their individual needs. Reasonable restrictions may include reducing or restricted the
allocation to certain asset classes (e.g., equity, debt, real estate, etc.) or sectors (e.g., tobacco
industry, auto industry, technology). Clients may also have a preference for holding individual
securities for tax purposes, or an overweighting in in ESG-related securities (environmental, social,
governance).
D. Wrap Fee Programs
The Firm does not participate nor offer wrap fee programs.
E. Assets Under Management
The amount of Client assets managed by FFSI totaled $174,670,077 as of December 31, 2023.
$169,805,142 is managed on a discretionary basis and $4864,935 is managed on a non-discretionary
basis. Please see “Item 16 – Investment Discretion” for more information.