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Orange County California

Trust Attorneys

(714) 282-7488

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January 23, 2025, at 5 PM

Administer An Estate Plan

Anaheim Living Trust Lawyers Discuss How To Administer Trusts

Often, a California wills and trusts lawyer advises clients to use trusts to pass assets to their loved ones when they die. That’s because living trusts offer so many advantages over traditional wills. But it’s a misconception to think that setting up a living trust enables beneficiaries to take property automatically, without any further administration. On the contrary, once the creator of a living trust passes away, the successor trustee takes on multiple duties and responsibilities. When someone needs to administer an estate plan we are here to help the trustee or administrator to follow the correct process in California.

 

Read on…
Many successor trustees hire attorneys to help them fulfill their duties
In many cases, a person appoints his son or daughter to serve as a successor trustee. Of course, any son or daughter who is appointed as successor trustee wants to carry out a parent’s wishes. Yet successor trustees often are busy professionals who have young families of their own. They do not have the time to investigate their responsibilities or to deal with paperwork. That’s where we come in. As Anaheim trust attorneys, we help clients administer trusts.
Our Anaheim estate attorneys focus on trust issues
We cover all aspects of trust law. We create trust documents for our clients. We also work with clients to revise their trust documents and to keep track of trust assets. Finally, we help people administer trusts. We recommend that people who are serving as successor trustees view our complimentary DVD, Understanding the Revocable Living Trust In Language that Anyone Can Understand in 8 Minutes.
When we work with a trustee, we explain the person’s duties, and we help him fulfill those duties
We believe in educating our clients. Not only does this help them understand their legal issues in both general and specific terms, but it also helps them feel more confident in their decisions.

When we are asked to assist with the administration of a trust, we begin by reading the trust documents and locating the trust’s assets. We meet with the trustee to discuss any issues that must be addressed immediately. We also discuss the trustee’s ongoing responsibilities. We explain the specific duties the trustee must perform and discuss how the trustee can carry out those duties.

The trustee must make important decisions regarding assets and other issues. We provide focused advice to support him. Our goal is to provide enough information and support so that the trustee feels as though he is making competent, informed decisions.

Please contact our Anaheim trust attorneys if you’ve been appointed as a successor trustee

If you would like our Anaheim, California estate attorneys to discuss trust administration, contact us. You may reach us by calling (714) 282-7488 or by filling out an online contact form.

We help people who live in or near Anaheim, Orange, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Placentia, Santa Ana, Irvine, Garden Grove, and La Habra.

Helpful Articles About Administering an Estate Plan

Can I have my attorney in fact modify my Orange County trust under my power of attorney?

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Can I have my attorney in fact modify my Orange County trust under my power of attorney? Call our office at (714) 282-7488 for a consultation.

Steps for Amending a Trust
Facts About Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney is a commonly used estate planning instrument that grants another individual the ability to act as your attorney in fact. This allows your attorney in fact access to and the ability to manage your financial and legal affairs. According to the California Probate Code, an attorney in fact does not have the power to modify or revoke your Orange County trust  unless that power is specifically granted in the trust instrument. If you are considering a modification to your trust and want it to be handled by your attorney in fact, take the following actions:

Contact an experienced Orange County trust lawyer who can review the terms of the trust to specifically determine whether the power is granted.
Obtain a copy of the trust and all amendments for your lawyer to review.
Obtain a copy of the signed power of attorney for your attorney to use in providing his or her recommendation.

Keeping your estate plan up to date by modifying your Orange County trust is very important. Without these updates, your trust may not accomplish the legacy goals that you have for your estate. Using an attorney in fact to update or revoke a living trust in California requires the knowledge of a seasoned professional. Fortunately, our office is here to help. For more information about modifying a trust through your attorney in fact or otherwise, contact an experienced Orange County trust attorney at the Law Office of James F. Roberts & Associates, APC, today. Call our office at (714) 282-7488 for a consultation.

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