PRACTICE OVERVIEW
We represent trustees, executors, and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration. Our ultimate goal is to help in the transition period after a loved one passes away, and to ensure that wealth is transferred effectively to the next generation. Through both probate and trust administration, we help clients minimize tax liability, avoid fiduciary liability, and ensure their interests are fairly represented.
PROBATE ADMINISTRATION
Probate is the court-based process of transferring assets of a deceased person after their death. We guide our clients through this process, determining if probate is necessary according to state laws and ensuring the estate is distributed according to the client’s estate plan or state laws. The probate process typically includes:
- Handling estates without a will (intestate estates)
- Creditor notification and debt resolution
- Asset collection and valuation, including multi-state assets
- Estate tax and income tax filings
- Final accountings
- Distributions to beneficiaries
- Final settlements of estates
TRUST-BASED PLAN ADMINISTRATION
A trust-based estate plan specifies how and when beneficiaries receive the trust assets. This detailed plan helps heirs avoid probate, ultimately speeding up distribution and closure of an estate. We help our clients navigate the trust administration process, communicating with beneficiaries and facilitating the provisions of the trust to ensure compliance. We advise trustees of their duties, including notice and legal compliance, and we ensure fiduciaries follow required deadline-drive actions. We help clients with:
- Trustee appointment and acceptance
- Required notices and disclosures
- Collection and evaluation of assets
- Ongoing and final accountings
- Estate tax and income tax filings
- Distributions to beneficiaries
- Creditor notification and debt resolution
- Final settlements of estates
GUARDIANSHIP
When a person is a minor or lacks capacity to make decisions for themselves, a judge may appoint a guardian to manage the individual’s health and finances. We help our clients decide the right time to establish a legal guardianship, and guide them through the guardianship administration process. We help clients with:
- Establishing guardianships for aging parents
- Instituting guardianships for adults with disabilities
- Ongoing guardianship administration
- Accountings
- Modifying or terminating a guardianship
Insights And Case Studies
Stay informed with practical articles, legal updates, and real-world case insights from our estate planning and probate trust and administration attorneys.