When fine art and valuable collections are held within a trust or estate, the responsibility to protect them extends well beyond safekeeping. Periods of transition—whether due to inheritance, administrative changes, or long-term planning—require thoughtful coordination, clear documentation, and an unwavering standard of care. Hear from Cara Zhuang-Thatcher, our Associate Director of Business Development, on how UOVO partners with trustees, executors, and advisors to steward collections with discretion and precision, ensuring continuity, transparency, and museum-quality care at every stage of the estate lifecycle.
How does UOVO work with clients to care for fine art collections and valuables managed by a trust or estate?
UOVO acts as stewards for any valuables held within trusts and estates. We work closely with trustees, executors, attorneys, and advisors to ensure these collections are properly stored, inventoried, and managed according to fiduciary needs and requirements. Our approach prioritizes discretion, museum-quality care, and continuity, allowing assets to remain protected and professionally managed across generations, ownership changes, or administrative transitions.
What considerations become especially important during estate transitions?
Estate transitions come with increased risk and complexity. In these situations, it is especially important to ensure secure, climate-controlled storage that preserves value while ownership, valuations, and/or liquidation plans are being clarified, controlled access protocols to prevent unauthorized handling, and carefully coordinated, high-quality transportation with full chain-of-custody documentation when works are being relocated. UOVO provides stability and assurance during these times of change, protecting both the assets and fiduciaries overseeing them.
How does UOVO’s team help estate planners and beneficiaries stay aligned?
Each UOVO client is supported by their own Account Manager that serves as a consistent point of contact throughout the lifecycle of an estate or trust. Our Account Managers help align multiple stakeholders by coordinating logistics and approvals across parties, ensuring instructions are executed accurately, and providing clear documentation for fiduciary recordkeeping.
What digital tools and special technology does UOVO use to assist estate planners?
UOVO’s digital barcoding system and proprietary Client Portal provide executors and advisors with real-time visibility into their fine art and assets. Being a digital-first company, we maintain clean, accurate, and timely records to create a footprint that is easily retrieved and reviewed. Each item record can include images, dimensions, conditions details, packing method, and storage location, all of which are accessible through the Client Portal. Permission-based access ensures that only the most relevant stakeholders have visibility into these sensitive details.
Contact our team today to learn more about safeguarding your collection.