Expertise in Trust Administration

Elizabeth A. Tresp, JD, LL.M. provides trust administration services that include:

• Representing trustees in the administration of revocable trusts after the death of a settlor;
• Representing trustees in the administration of irrevocable intervivos trusts (trusts created during life);
• Advising both trustees and beneficiaries on their rights and obligations, including in the case of trustees, their fiduciary obligations;
• And representing trustees and beneficiaries of charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, generation-skipping trusts, and educational trusts.

Properly administering the Trust, both during the Trustor’s lifetime and after death, is critical to achieve the desires of the Trustor. Assets in a properly funded Trust can be quickly and simply transferred to the intended beneficiaries upon death, without the delay and expense of a probate.
 
Upon death, trust administration includes the following:

• Immediate review of the Trust, Will and assets by a knowledgable attorney to determine any tax implications or requirements that are time sensitive;
• Inventory of all property owned by the Trustor, including property that will pass outside of the Trust, property that will be transferred to the Trust by Will, and property titled in the Trust;
• Procure the date of death values of all property, which may include professional appraisals of certain real property;
• Prepare a list of all debts at the date of death, including funeral and last illness expenses, mortgages and liens on real property;
• Manage, protect, and invest the property, including maintenance of appropriate property and liability insurance;
• Pay various debts and Trust expenses;
• Prepare and file California and federal estate tax returns;
• Prepare and record affidavits for the real property to establish the Successor Trustee, notify the county assessor of the changes in real estate ownership resulting from the Trustor’s death, and file documents required to avoid property tax reassessment;
• In some cases, allocation of assets to Subtrusts;
• Make Trust distributions to beneficiaries, including distribution of income to a surviving spouse or an income beneficiary, as determined by the terms of the Trust;
• And prepare periodic written reports to the beneficiaries on the financial status of the Trusts when appropriately requested by them.

The importance of proper Trust Administration is critical. Elizabeth A. Tresp, Attorney at Law is uniquely qualified for even the most complex trust administration needs. Elizabeth has an advanced Master of Laws in Tax and has extensive experience with extremely complicated tax matters, so we are able to minimize tax exposure.

The failure to properly fund Subtrusts, prepare fiduciary tax returns, properly allocate assets, prepare Trust accountings, make prudent investments, or make Trust distributions can be disastrous. If you currently serve as a Trustee, or named as a Successor Trustee, you should obtain advice from the most qualified professionals who are familiar with current tax law, current developments in Trust law, and the administration of Trusts. Contact Elizabeth A. Tresp, Attorney at Law right away. 

Contact us today

Elizabeth A. Tresp is an excellent Trust Administration attorney in San Diego County, with offices in Solana Beach and Pacific Beach. Not all lawyers are equal. If you need a proactive, knowledgable, and effective Trust Administration lawyer, call Elizabeth A. Tresp, Attorney at Law today: 888-814-5552 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.