Estate & Trust Administration
We advise estates, successor trustees, and fiduciaries on trust administration matters.
When a close family member or a loved one dies, the last thing you may want to think about is hiring an attorney, paying estate and inheritance taxes, disclaiming assets where appropriate, and taking care of any other obligations which may arise as a result of you being appointed as an executor, trustee or administrator of your loved one’s estate.
At Lifetime Legal Estate Planning, we understand the emotional impact you may feel when losing a loved one and the uncertainty it can arise in attempting to administer or probate the decedent’s estate. But you are not alone. We can help you in the handling of your loved one’s estate after they have passed. We will tailor our estate administration services to provide efficient and effective representation to make sure the estate administration process proceeds as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
What Is Estate Administration?
Estate administration, also known as probate, is the method by which an individual’s estate is typically resolved. If there is a will, the document is admitted to probate at the time of death. If there is no will, an individual, usually a relative, creditor of the decedent or a court-appointed individual, is assigned as the Administrator for the estate.
The existence or non-existence of a will determines how the assets will be distributed during the probate process. If there is a will, the probate assets will pass in accordance with the terms of the document. However, if there is no will, the probate assets will pass pursuant to California’s probate and intestate laws.
What Is Trust Administration?
When a trust is properly drafted prior to death, beneficiaries can avoid the complex and drawn-out process of transferring the decedent’s assets by probate at the time of death. The successor Trustee will immediately take over the management of the assets in order to pay the decedent’s debts and distribute his or her assets to the proper beneficiaries.
Although there is no court supervised probate, the Trustee must follow the set of rules set forth in the trust along with state and federal laws. In order to avoid any missteps, it is helpful to enlist the assistance of a qualified estate administration attorney.
Contact an Experienced Estate Administration Attorney
If you are facing estate administration of a loved one who has passed away, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced estate administration attorney to guide you through the complex process.
At Lifetime Legal Estate Planning, we offer free information and a free estate administration consultation to suit your personal needs. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced estate administration attorney, please call 805.419.5290.