After a death
Trust administration
Being named trustee is an honor and a job. You do not have to work it out alone, and there is very little that must happen in the first week.
In plain words
If someone you love has died and you are the trustee, we walk you through every step, at a pace that leaves room for grief.
When the person who made a trust dies, the successor trustee takes charge. The job has four parts: find and protect what the trust owns, pay final bills and taxes, keep the beneficiaries informed, and then hand out what is left as the trust says.
Trustees are allowed to get help, and the cost is usually paid from the trust, not from your own pocket. We give you a written checklist, do the paperwork that needs a lawyer, and tell you plainly what you can safely do yourself.
If there was a will and no trust, the estate may need probate instead. We help personal representatives through probate in the same calm, step-by-step way.
Is this for you?
It may be a good fit if any of these sound familiar.
- You have just been named successor trustee and don't know where to start
- You live out of state and need someone local to handle the details
- Brothers and sisters are co-trustees and want a neutral guide
- The trust holds a house that needs to be sold or shared
- There was a will but no trust, and probate may be needed
What's included
Everything we do for you, written down
- A free first meeting and a written step-by-step checklist
- Required notices to beneficiaries, prepared and sent on time
- A tax ID number and trust bank account, set up with you
- Deeds and transfers for real estate
- Coordination with the family's accountant on final tax returns
- A clear accounting for beneficiaries and signed receipts at the end
The first months
What trust administration usually looks like
Every family is different, but most trusts follow this shape. State law sets a few deadlines, and we track them for you.
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First two weeks
Stage 1: Keep things safe
Secure the home and car, keep insurance paid, and order several death certificates. Little else is urgent.
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Weeks 2 to 8
Stage 2: Notices and accounts
We send the required notices to beneficiaries, get a tax ID for the trust and open a trust account.
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Months 2 to 6
Stage 3: List, value and pay
Make the inventory, get values for the house and investments, pay final bills and plan the tax returns.
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Months 6 to 12
Stage 4: Account and distribute
Share a clear accounting, hand out what is left, collect receipts and close the trust.
Trusts with a business, many properties or family disagreement can take longer. We tell you that at the start, not at the end.
How it works
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Step 1: Take a breath
Book a free first meeting when you are ready. Bring the trust and any mail that has arrived.
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Step 2: A written plan
We list every task, who does it, and roughly when. You see the whole road, not just the next step.
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Step 3: Regular check-ins
A short update every two weeks by phone or email, so nobody wonders what is happening.
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Step 4: Closing well
Final accounting, distribution and receipts. Most simple trusts close within 9 to 12 months.
What it costs
A flat fee, set after a free review
Usually from $3,500 for a straightforward trust, paid from the trust. Probate, where it is needed, is quoted the same way.
A flat fee, agreed in writing at the end of your free first meeting. It only changes if you ask us to add something.
Am I personally responsible if something goes wrong?
Trustees who act in good faith, follow the trust and keep good records rarely have problems. Part of our job is helping you keep those records from day one.
Can I pay myself for the work?
Often, yes. Many trusts allow reasonable pay for a trustee. Some family trustees choose not to take it. We explain the options and the tax side.
What if family members disagree?
Clear, regular updates prevent most disagreements. If one does arise, we help you respond calmly and fairly. We represent you as trustee, and we say so to everyone at the start.
Ready when you are
The first meeting is free and there is no rush. Bring the trust or will and any mail that has arrived, and we will make a plan together.
Book a free consultation