Trust Administration Attorney

At Peninsula Estate Planning, we guide trustees and families through California trust administration with clear steps, tight compliance, and steady communication.

What we do

Advise the trustee on duties, timelines, and risk.
Serve required notices to beneficiaries/heirs and manage the 120-day contest window.
Marshal assets: inventory, verify title/beneficiaries, obtain EIN, open trust accounts.
Value and allocate assets; plan liquidity and in-kind distributions.
Fund subtrusts (survivor/bypass, marital/QTIP, special needs) precisely.
Coordinate taxes (Forms 1041/541; evaluate Form 706 and portability with your CPA).
Prepare accountings/reports that satisfy California disclosure rules.
Handle real property: affidavits of death, deeds, and property-tax change-in-ownership issues.
Resolve problems via nonjudicial settlements or targeted court petitions (e.g., Heggstad/§850) when needed.
Close the trust: final accounting, receipts, releases, and file wrap-up.

Trustee essentials (California)

Act loyally and impartially for beneficiaries.
Safeguard and prudently manage assets; avoid self-dealing.
Keep records and share information on request.
Follow the trust and the Probate Code—most matters stay out of court, but strict standards apply.

Typical timeline

First 30–60 days: secure assets, obtain EIN, open account, start inventory, send notices.
60–120 days: valuations, plan distributions, begin subtrust funding, address creditor claims.
Months 4–12: taxes, accountings, interim/final distributions, close administration.

Why families choose us

California focus and court-quality documentation
Efficient process that reduces delays and disputes
Plain-English updates for trustees and beneficiaries

Start here

If you’re a successor trustee or beneficiary, we’ll provide a prioritized task list, timeline, and budget at intake.
Peninsula Estate Planning — Trust Administration