Someone You Love Just Died. Their Trust Needs to be Settled.
We ensure your trust is settled correctly, legally, and ethically.
CRITICAL: Your Fiduciary Duty
If you’re a trustee, California law requires you to:
- Act in good faith and in the best interest of ALL beneficiaries
- Act impartially—you cannot favor yourself or one beneficiary over another
- Preserve and protect trust assets
- Disclose all conflicts of interest
- Follow the trust document exactly
Breach these duties and you have personal liability. Beneficiaries can sue you personally. You owe money out of your own pocket.
This is why many trustees hire professional help. We ensure you stay compliant and protected.
What is Trust Administration?
Trust administration is the legal process of settling a trust after someone dies. It involves:
- Inventorying all assets
- Paying debts and taxes
- Making distributions to beneficiaries according to the trust document (not your preferences)
- Maintaining detailed records to defend all decisions
This typically takes 6 to 12 months.
Why Fiduciary Duty Matters
If you’re also a beneficiary, you face a conflict of interest. You might be tempted to:
- Take more than your fair share
- Pay yourself trustee fees that are too high
- Invest conservatively to protect your own inheritance
- Pay yourself first before other beneficiaries
All of these breach your fiduciary duty. And beneficiaries will notice.
That’s why hiring us is smart: We handle distributions. We manage accounting. We document everything. You’re protected.
Our Process (7 Steps)
Step 1: Initial consultation (free 30 min)—we explain your duties and what’s needed
Step 2: Gather documents (weeks 1-2)
Step 3: Inventory all assets (weeks 2-4)
Step 4: Publish creditor notice (weeks 2-6)
Step 5: Tax planning (months 1-3)
Step 6: Distributions and accounting (months 3-9)
Step 7: Final distributions and closure (months 9-12)
What We Do
- Ensure full fiduciary compliance
- Identify and manage conflicts of interest
- Handle all distributions according to the trust document
- Prepare detailed accounting
- Document every decision to protect you from liability
- Coordinate with CPAs, appraisers, and other professionals
FAQ
What is a fiduciary duty?
A legal obligation to act in the best interest of ALL beneficiaries, not yourself. You must be impartial. You must disclose conflicts. You have personal liability if you breach these duties.
Can I take trustee fees?
Yes, but only reasonable fees. And you must disclose them. Excessive fees breach your fiduciary duty.
Can I take a distribution as a beneficiary?
Yes, but only what the trust says you get. You can’t favor yourself. Every dollar must be documented.
How long does this take?
Usually 6 to 12 months.
How much does it cost?
Depends on complexity. We discuss fees in your free consultation.
What if I breach my duty?
Beneficiaries can sue you personally. You owe money. This is serious.
Why Choose Us?
- We ensure fiduciary compliance
- We protect you from personal liability
- We document everything
- We handle all distributions fairly
- We’ve done this hundreds of times
Next Steps
Call: (916) 659-8188
We’ll explain your fiduciary duties. We’ll answer your questions. We’ll discuss how we protect you from liability.