Trust & Estate Administration

 

Providing experienced trust and estate administration services

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Estates and Probate

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If your loved one’s will names you as an executor, it is most likely because they trusted that you would correctly administer their estate. However, most executors, while their intentions are good, do not know probate law. Experienced counsel is necessary to guide the executor through the process and to ensure that the intentions of the decedent are carried out.

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If your loved one did not have a will, his or her estate still must be administered. In this case, the estate is called an “intestate estate.” We can assist you in determining the most efficient and economical way to administer an intestate estate.

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Administering an estate can be a simple process when the estate is small or proper estate planning has moved much of the decedent’s assets outside of the purview of the probate court. In other situations, the probate process can be more complex as creditors come forward and the need to identify estate heirs arises. Sometimes litigation is necessary to resolve issues. In either case, experienced counsel is recommended. In fact, in some cases, counsel is vital to the successful completion of probate and the closing of the estate.

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We help executors and family members to understand the probate, intestacy, and asset transfer process. We will explain how the process works and help you with the individualized service you need to dispose of a loved one’s estate.

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Trust Administration

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We establish, interpret, and administer all kinds of trusts for our clients. We can serve as trustees, administrators, and counsel for client trusts. We can serve as sole trustees, as co-trustees with our clients, or with other entities.

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Our Areas of Expertise

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Estate Administration

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• Estate administration involving a will or intestacy

• Interpretation of will provisions

• Inventories and Accountings

• Identification of heirs

• Validation or challenges to creditor claims

• Litigation involving estates

• Set-up and establishment of testamentary trusts

• Transfer of assets or real estate

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Trust Administration

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Managing all aspects of trust administration including:

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• Interpretation of trust provisions

• Providing documents and notices required by law

• Buying and selling trust property

• Distribution of beneficiary funds

• Payment of creditors

• Litigation involving trusts

 

 

Providing legal services for the administration of:

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• Revocable trusts

• Irrevocable trusts

• Living trusts

• Testamentary trusts

• Charitable trusts

• Special needs trusts