California Trust Administration Attorneys

Using trusts in your estate plan can be highly beneficial for several reasons. Notably, a trust can allow your assets to be distributed privately, rather than go through the lengthy and costly probate process. These instruments can also provide tax benefits to an estate, help ensure the privacy of your family and financial situation, as well as control the way in which your property is distributed. But trust administration can be complex — and it’s essential to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side who can guide you through the process.

At White and Bright, LLP, we understand that trust administration occurs during an emotional time for you and your family. Our trust administration attorney team provides personal attention and skillful counsel for matters concerning the management and distribution of trust assets. In addition to guiding families through the complexities of these matters, we also work with trustees, beneficiaries, and trust settlors in connection with a variety of trust issues.

Experienced Counsel for Trust Administration Matters

Trust administration is the legal process by which assets owned by a trust are transferred to the beneficiaries after the settlor’s passing. Importantly, there are a number of specific steps involved in the administration of a trust, depending on the type of trust involved. A wide variety of trusts are recognized under California law, including the following:

  • Testamentary trusts — These types of trusts are created as part of a last will and testament.
  • Living trusts — A living trust is an estate planning tool that allows the settlor to manage and distribute the assets both during their lifetime and after their passing.
  • Revocable trusts — A revocable trust allows a settlor to control the assets in the trust and make changes to the trust during their lifetime.
  • Irrevocable trusts — An irrevocable trust is a legal arrangement that cannot be modified during the settlor’s lifetime, but comes with many benefits including asset protection, probate avoidance, and reducing estate taxes.
  • Charitable trusts — A charitable trust allows the settlor to distribute their assets to a charity of their choice.
  • Special needs trusts — A special needs trust allows the settlor to provide for a child or grandchild with a disability, without impacting their government benefits.
  • Life insurance trusts — A life insurance trust is an arrangement that allows a third party to hold and manage the assets in a life insurance policy for the benefit of the beneficiaries.
  • Pet trusts — A pet trust is a legal arrangement by which the settlor can provide for a pet’s needs in the event they become incapacitated or pass away.

Each type of trust is unique and has different administration requirements. Significantly, the trust administrator has many critical responsibilities when it comes to acting in the best interests of the trust beneficiaries. They must also uphold the integrity of the trust — and the settlor’s wishes. The knowledgeable trust administration attorneys at White and Bright provide diligent counsel throughout the entire administration process in order to ensure that all legal requirements are met.

Knowledgeable Representation to Guide You Through the Trust Administration Process

Although a trust avoids the probate process, it doesn’t mean that it can be ignored after the settlor’s death. Certain procedures must be followed to administer the trust correctly and distribute the assets to the named beneficiaries. Failure to take the necessary actions can result in a trustee incurring liability. The trust administration attorney team at White and Bright is committed to helping trustees navigate the highly nuanced process of administering a trust. Working to take the burden off your shoulders, we provide a wide range of legal services to help ensure trust administration is carried out efficiently and effectively — and you have peace of mind.

The trust administration attorney team at White and Bright assists clients with all steps involved in the trust administration process, including the following:

  • Giving notice to heirs and beneficiaries
  • Notifying government agencies, when applicable
  • Identifying, safeguarding, and investing the trust assets
  • Securing appraisals and obtaining titles
  • Executing and filing tax returns
  • Preparing the trust accounting
  • Paying debts and expenses
  • Preparing a distribution plan and distributing the assets

Since there are many different types of trusts, the precise steps involved in administering each trust will depend on the specific circumstances. In some cases, the administration process can be fairly complex. Our trust administration attorney team has extensive experience in administering a broad scope of trusts. We understand the importance of ensuring that all necessary steps in trust administration are carried out with the requisite precision and attention to detail.

Contact a Skillful California Trust Administration Attorney

If you are the trustee or beneficiary of a trust, White and Bright, LLP can provide the trusted counsel you need as you go through the trust administration process. We welcome you to contact us or call (760) 747-3200 to schedule a consultation and learn more about our trust administration services.