California Trust Administration Attorney – Helping Trustees Navigate Their Duties with Confidence

At Vinh Doan Law Office, we help trustees carry out their responsibilities after the death of a trust creator, also known as the settlor. In California, trust administration is a legal process that must be completed even if the estate avoids probate. It involves following legal procedures, communicating with beneficiaries, safeguarding assets, paying debts and taxes, and eventually distributing the trust property.

Whether you are a first time trustee or managing a complex estate, we provide step by step legal guidance to ensure that everything is done correctly and within the required timeline. We also protect the interests of beneficiaries and help resolve disputes when they arise.

We work with clients across California and offer services in both English and Vietnamese. Our office is based in Orange County and we are committed to delivering personal service with professional results.

Trust administration involves more than just distributing money. A trustee has legal duties under California law, and must take the following steps after the settlor passes away:

• Notify beneficiaries and legal heirs in writing
• Obtain death certificates and legal documents
• Inventory all trust assets
• Determine if real estate needs to be retitled
• Handle final expenses and debts
• File tax returns if required
• Keep records of all transactions
• Distribute assets according to the trust terms

Failing to carry out these steps properly can result in personal liability for the trustee, legal delays, or disputes between family members.

You may need trust administration services if:

• You have been named as a successor trustee after the death of a loved one
• You are a surviving spouse managing a joint trust
• You are a beneficiary concerned about how the trust is being handled
• The trust includes real estate, business interests, or large investment accounts
• There is disagreement among family members about the trust terms
• You want to avoid probate and protect the wishes of the decedent

We guide trustees through each stage of the administration process with care and legal precision. Our services include:

• Drafting and sending formal notices to beneficiaries and government agencies
• Preparing a detailed trust accounting
• Helping retitle assets including real property and bank accounts
• Advising on creditor claims and tax obligations
• Coordinating with CPAs, appraisers, and financial advisors
• Resolving conflicts among beneficiaries
• Distributing trust assets efficiently and properly
• Keeping trustees informed and protected from liability