{"id":35358,"date":"2021-06-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ameriestate.com\/?p=35358"},"modified":"2021-09-07T15:26:47","modified_gmt":"2021-09-07T22:26:47","slug":"a-california-trust-administration-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ameriestate.com\/trust-management-settlement\/a-california-trust-administration-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"A California Trust Administration Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The period of time directly after a loved one's death is stressful. If the deceased named you in charge of their trust in the state of California, an additional responsibility you have is controlling the trajectory of the trust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are free to take a reasonable period of time to focus primarily on your loved one's death and the memorial services and rites that follow. Nothing related to trust administration is an emergency, and it is vital that you take the time necessary to grieve. After the initial grieving process, you can start to execute your loved one's final wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the time comes and you are ready to face the paperwork, follow our handy California Trust Administration Checklist to ensure that you do not miss an important step along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Locate the trust<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is likely that if your loved one made you an executor or a trustee<\/a>, you are aware of this. However, you must locate the necessary documents to begin the legal process of administrating the trust. Depending on your loved one's situation and the extent of their estate, you may need to locate a variety of paperwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paperwork necessary may include: current wills; past wills; pour-over wills; deeds to trust property; estate tax returns; investment and retirement accounts and life insurance policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your loved one's documentation is not carefully organized, you may benefit from professional assistance<\/a> to ensure that you have not missed anything important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Give notice to all relevant entities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There will be many legal and financial entities that need to know that your loved one has died and that you are ready to administer their estate. Within 30 days of your loved one dying, you must file a copy of their estate plan along with the death certificate with the California probate court. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within 60 days of your loved ones death, you must notify all of the heirs, beneficiaries, and other entities that the estate plan includes. In the event that your loved one owned property, you must notify the county assessor's office with a Notice of Death of Real Property Owner<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The above are critical initial steps, but the following are also necessary: <\/p>\n\n\n\n