California Trust Administration Attorney

Guiding Trustees.
Protecting Legacies. 

Guiding Trustees. Protecting Legacies. 

Guiding Trustees with Confidence 

When a loved one passes away and leaves a trust, the responsibility of administering that trust falls to the trustee. This is an important role that carries both legal and financial responsibilities. For many trustees, it’s their first time serving in such a role, and the list of tasks can feel overwhelming. 

Our firm works closely with trustees to provide advice, support, and hands-on legal assistance at every stage. We ensure the trust administration process is handled properly, efficiently, and in full compliance with California law—so the trustee can fulfill their duties with confidence and beneficiaries receive what they are entitled to. 

Our Consultation Is Always Free

What’s Involved in Trust Administration in California?

Trust administration includes a wide range of responsibilities, such as: 

Locating Estate Planning
Documents

Including the trust, will, and other related
documents. 

Collecting Important
Records

Insurance policies, real estate deeds,
vehicle titles, bank and investment
statements, tax returns, and more. 

Meeting With an
Attorney

Strategizing with an attorney to plan
the administration process and prepare
the necessary legal documents. 

Determining
Debts

Identifying and arranging to pay the
decedent’s debts and creditor claims. 

Identifying
Beneficiaries

Making a complete list of all beneficiaries
named in the trust and heirs-at-law, along
with their current contact information. 

Documenting and
Valuing Assets

Locating all trust property, preparing a full inventory,
and obtaining appraisals or valuations when required.
Assets must then be retitled into the name of the successor trustee. 

Handling
Taxes

Filing and paying all required tax returns, which may include the decedent’s final personal tax return, the trust income tax return (Form 1041), and, in some cases, estate tax returns

Maintaining
Accounting

Keeping accurate records of all deposits,
expenses, and distributions. Trustees must
provide periodic accountings to beneficiaries. 

Distribution of
Assets

Ensuring property and money are distributed to
beneficiaries in accordance with the trust terms.
This may involve deeds, transfers, and signed
receipts from beneficiaries.

Trustee’s Fiduciary Duties 

Being a trustee is more than a role—it’s a fiduciary duty. Trustees are legally obligated to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, administer the trust impartially, and follow the instructions in the trust document. 

Safeguarding the deceased’s possessions until distribution. 

Communicating regularly and transparently with beneficiaries. 

Resolving the decedent’s outstanding legal and financial obligations. 

Distributing property exactly as directed in the trust.

Avoiding self-dealing or conflicts of interest. 

Beneficiaries are often eager to receive their share quickly, but trustees must wait until debts, taxes, and obligations are properly handled before distributions can occur. Acting too quickly can expose trustees to personal liability.

How Our Firm Helps

We know that most trustees have never administered a trust before. Our role is to guide you through the process, step by step, so you can competently and confidently fulfill your responsibilities.

Legal Strategy & Planning

We help you understand what needs to be done and when, ensuring nothing is missed.

Tax Guidance

We coordinate with tax professionals to ensure all required returns are filed accurately and on time.

Document Preparation

We draft and file all necessary deeds, notices, and legal documents.

Conflict Resolution

We step in to resolve disputes between beneficiaries and protect the trustee from unnecessary liability.

Accounting & Reporting

We assist with maintaining proper records and preparing accountings for beneficiaries.

Ongoing Support

We remain available throughout the process, ensuring the trust administration is completed correctly and efficiently.

Cost of Trust Administration 

Unlike probate, where fees are set by statute and based on the gross value of the estate, trust administration is generally billed on an hourly basis. Attorney’s fees are usually paid directly from trust assets, and a retainer is often required to begin the process. Because there are fewer court filings, trust administration is typically faster, less expensive, and more private than probate.

Why Choose Us

Knowledge &
Compassion

Our firm stands out because we combine deep legal knowledge with a personal, family-focused approach. We understand this is not just a legal process—it’s a deeply emotional time.

Your Proactive
Guide

We don’t just process paperwork. We make sure you understand each step, anticipate potential issues, and fight to make the process as smooth as possible for you.

Clarity &
Closure

With us by your side, you have a guide who knows the system, protects your interests, and works to bring closure for your family as efficiently as possible.

Common Questions

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Your Trusted California
Probate Attorney

Passionate advocate for families facing probate challenge. Deep expertise in California probate law, trust disputes, and estate administration.

What People Say

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Hamlet Tanahan profile picture
Hamlet Tanahan
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Nersesyan Law provided us with our Estate Planning. The process was very smooth and easy. Marianna was very detailed in explain every step of the way to make sure we received exactly what we were looking for. I would recommend her to all our friends without any hesitation. Not only she was knowledgeable she made us feel very comfortable working with her.
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Armen Melikyan profile picture
Armen Melikyan
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Highly recommended!
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Art Avenesov profile picture
Art Avenesov
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Working with Marianna Nersesyan to set up our family trust was an absolute game-changer. She was incredibly professional, patient, and made a complex process feel so smooth. Her attention to detail and clear explanations gave us total peace of mind. I’m beyond grateful for her expertise and can’t recommend her highly enough!
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Grigor Harutyunyan profile picture
Grigor Harutyunyan
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Highly professional services are being provided.
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Veronika Vika profile picture
Veronika Vika
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I had the pleasure of working with Marianna Nersesyan for my estate planning needs, and I couldn’t be more grateful. My situation came up last minute, and she handled everything with such professionalism and care. What really stood out was how thoroughly Marianna explained each step of the process — making something that could feel overwhelming so clear and manageable. I felt completely supported, informed, and confident in my decisions. I highly recommend Marianna and her office to anyone looking for an attorney who is not only knowledgeable, but also patient, attentive, and genuinely dedicated to their clients.
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Sorina Santos profile picture
Sorina Santos
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We are extremely pleased with the thoroughness and professionalism expressed by Marianna Nersesyan. She explained the process to us in easy to understand concepts and answered our questions. She also stood by her word and didn’t give us any false promises. We felt very comfortable asking questions and addressing any concerns we had without fear of judgement. Her friendly demeanor didn’t take away from the seriousness or importance of the topic. If it is also your family’s first time setting up a trust you can count on Nersesyan Law, PC to explain what works for you the best. Even after the trust was created we feel confident knowing that she’ll answer any of our questions we have in the future.
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Samvel Kamalmazyan profile picture
Samvel Kamalmazyan
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Working with Marianna on our estate plan was an exceptional experience. From the beginning, she took the time to really understand our family's unique situation and priorities. During our first meeting, she spent over an hour walking us through the entire process, answering all of our questions with patience and clarity. If you’re looking for someone who truly has your family’s best interests at heart, we couldn’t recommend Marianna and her team more highly.
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Anush K profile picture
Anush K
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We had a wonderful experience working with Marianna on our estate planning. From our very first meeting, it was clear that she genuinely cared about understanding our family's needs and goals. She created a space where we felt heard, informed, and completely at ease throughout the entire process. What really stood out was Marianna’s patience and ability to explain complex topics in a way that was easy to understand. We never felt rushed, and every question no matter how small was met with thoughtful, thorough guidance. If you're looking for someone who is knowledgeable, approachable, and truly committed to helping families plan for the future, we wholeheartedly recommend Marianna and her team.
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Arevik Mesropyan profile picture
Arevik Mesropyan
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I’m very satisfied with the exceptional service Nersesyan Law firm has provided to me.
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Susanna Martirosyan profile picture
Susanna Martirosyan
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I had a great experience working with Marianna Nersesyan to set up my trust. She is very professional, patient, and made the entire process easy to understand. I felt confident every step of the way and truly appreciated her attention to detail. Highly recommend for anyone needing estate planning help.