From San Diego Probate Lawyers: Why Deal With Trust Administration?

Done correctly, California trust administration is a lengthy and sometimes agonizing process. You might be dealing with pressure from beneficiaries who don’t want to wait to receive the assets they believe they have coming. Maybe a beneficiary has an especially compelling reason to speed up the distribution of an estate, and you’d like to help by finalizing their inheritance as soon as possible. You’re probably dealing with confusing terms, impatient beneficiaries and more than a few unhappy surprises.

What’s frustrating is that, in cases where California probate is not necessary, executing a trust could be a very quick process. There are no required waiting periods. Assets should already be allocated to the trust. That means that title transfers could happen inside of a few days.

What Goes Wrong?

More often than not, assets haven’t been transferred, terms of the trust aren’t clear, and beneficiaries come forward with conflicting claims. Rushing the execution of a trust could leave a beneficiary without the assets he or she was meant to receive; meaning the expectations of the decedent weren’t met and you haven’t done your job as a trustee. Beneficiaries will hold you responsible for any mistakes, and with good reason.

The primary reason for doing trust administration—and doing it right—is the lasting impact it will have on the lives and future options of your beneficiaries.

If you have been appointed a California trustee, it is in the best interests of both the beneficiaries and yourself to understand what a full trust administration process will entail and plan for it accordingly.

If you’ve been appointed the trustee or executor of a California estate and have questions or concerns about the administration process, the San Diego probate lawyers at The Grossman Law Firm might be able to help. We offer San Diego trust administration, will contests, probate, and estate planning services. For a free, 30-minute consultation with one of our lawyers, call toll-free 888-443-6590. You can also reach us online through our quick contact form.

Also, be sure to request your copy of Scott Grossman’s must-read FREE book, The Insider’s Guide to California Probate and Trust Administration.