PRACTICE AREA

TRUST ADMINISTRATION

What is Trust Administration?

Trust Administration is the process by which the person you put in charge of your trust assets (your “Trustee”) follows the terms of your trust. There is no court involvement, no supervising judge, and no one policing the Trustee. However, your Trustee is still bound by the fiduciary duties set forth in the California Probate Code. Trust Administration is generally preferred to probate because it is a much more efficient way of managing and distributing assets to your beneficiaries and the costs of Trust Administration are much lower than the costs involved with a probate.

What can I expect as the Successor Trustee?

This whole process could take anywhere from a few weeks to six months, depending on the size of the estate and number of beneficiaries. Below are just a few of the steps that we will complete for you.

Step 1

Lodge the will with the court located in the county decedent resided in.

Step 2

Send California Probate Code 16061.7 Notification to all heirs and beneficiaries named in the trust.

Step 3

Gather asset information and take possession of all trust assets.

Step 4

Update the title to trust assets.

Step 5

Obtain a tax identification number.

Step 6

Notify creditors.

What am I entitled to as the Beneficiary?

As the beneficiary of the living trust, you are entitled to the following:

Estate Planning

The flexibility of trusts make them an appealing estate planning tool. 

Probate

In the event a loved one dies without an estate plan in place, we can help you determine if probate is needed and walk you through this process.

Govt Benefits planning

For those who are facing deteriorating health and in need of additional help, we can help you decide if you qualify for Medi-Cal or Veterans benefits.

Book an appointment

Book a consultation  directly on Cagla Basar’s calendar by simply choosing a date and time that is most convenient for you.

Blog
Cagla Basar

Planning for California Blended Families

Couples often bring children into a marriage from a prior marriage or union and then have children together. This is often referred to as a blended family. Blended families highlight the need for careful estate

Read Blog »
Blog
Cagla Basar

Aging Americans are at Risk for Bankruptcy

The golden years are turning into bankruptcy red for many retired and aging Americans. While medical advances are keeping seniors alive longer, the associated healthcare costs in the quest for longevity are being off-loaded onto

Read Blog »