Guidance through probate and trust administration during a difficult time. We handle the legal complexity so you can focus on your family.
What Is Estate Administration
When someone dies, their assets must be gathered, debts paid, taxes filed, and remaining property distributed to beneficiaries. This process, whether through probate court or trust administration, involves legal requirements, deadlines, and fiduciary responsibilities that most people have never encountered.
Executors and trustees suddenly find themselves responsible for managing significant assets, communicating with family members who may have competing interests, and navigating unfamiliar legal procedures, all while grieving.
We provide the guidance and support that makes this manageable. From the initial court filings to the final distributions, we walk alongside you through every step, handling the legal complexity so you can focus on what matters most: your family.
Why Professional Guidance Matters
Probate involves strict deadlines, required notices, and court procedures. Missing requirements can delay the estate or create personal liability.
Executors and trustees have fiduciary duties to beneficiaries. Proper guidance helps you fulfill these duties and avoid personal liability.
Clear processes and transparent communication reduce family conflict during an already emotional time.
Professional administration moves estates toward closure efficiently, getting assets to beneficiaries without unnecessary delay.
Proper coordination with tax professionals ensures elections are made correctly and obligations are met on time.
Knowing you're handling everything correctly lets you grieve and support your family rather than worrying about legal requirements.
Our Services
Whether you're navigating probate court or administering a trust, we provide the guidance and support you need at every stage.
When someone passes with a will (testate) or without (intestate), we guide executors and personal representatives through the entire probate process, from opening the estate to final distributions. We handle court filings, deadlines, and procedural requirements so you can focus on your family.
Successor trustees taking over a trust after the grantor's death face significant responsibilities. We provide guidance on trustee duties, beneficiary communications, asset management, and proper distributions according to trust terms.
Being named executor is an honor, and a significant responsibility. We walk you through every step, from accepting the appointment to filing final accountings, ensuring you fulfill your fiduciary duties correctly.
Probate requires a complete inventory of the decedent's assets with date-of-death values. We coordinate with appraisers, financial institutions, and other professionals to compile comprehensive inventories that satisfy court requirements.
Estates must notify creditors and address legitimate claims before distributing assets. We handle required notifications, evaluate claims, and advise on proper payment procedures to protect executors from personal liability.
The ultimate goal is getting assets to beneficiaries correctly and efficiently. We prepare distribution documents, coordinate transfers, and ensure proper documentation protects the executor and satisfies all parties.
Most estates require formal accountings showing all receipts, disbursements, and distributions. We prepare detailed accountings that satisfy court requirements and provide transparency to beneficiaries.
Estate administration involves complex tax considerations, estate taxes, inheritance taxes, income taxes for the estate and beneficiaries. We coordinate with CPAs and tax professionals to ensure all obligations are met.
Many estates qualify for simplified procedures that avoid full probate. We evaluate whether small estate affidavits or summary administration can save time and expense, and guide you through these streamlined processes.
When the decedent owned real property in multiple states, ancillary probate may be required. We coordinate with local counsel to handle out-of-state property efficiently while maintaining oversight of the entire process.
Virtual-First Support
Estate administration doesn't require endless office visits. Our virtual-first approach means you can handle most of the process from home, especially important when you're also managing a household, caring for family members, or living in a different city than where the estate is being administered.
Video consultations let us meet face-to-face without travel. We can review documents together, answer questions, and provide guidance, all from your home or office.
Electronic filings are increasingly standard in probate courts. Many states now accept electronic submissions, reducing the need for in-person court visits.
Secure document sharing through MyRelevant means you can access everything you need anytime, and share documents with co-executors, beneficiaries, or tax professionals with a few clicks.
MyRelevant Portal for Executors
All estate documents, inventories, and correspondence organized and accessible in one secure location.
Ask questions and receive guidance through secure messaging, no waiting for callbacks.
Clear checklists show what's been completed and what's coming next in the administration process.
Important dates and filing deadlines tracked and visible so nothing falls through the cracks.
Estate receipts, disbursements, and account balances organized for easy accounting.
Share specific documents with beneficiaries, CPAs, or other professionals as needed.
The Process
Every estate is different, but most follow a similar path. Here's what to expect when working with us.
We review the will or trust, discuss the estate's assets and family situation, and explain what the administration process will involve. You'll leave with a clear understanding of next steps and timeline.
60-90 minutes
For probated estates, we prepare and file the petition to open the estate, have you appointed as executor or personal representative, and obtain letters testamentary or letters of administration.
2-4 weeks
We help you identify and secure all estate assets, notify financial institutions, coordinate appraisals, and compile the required inventory. All documents are organized in your MyRelevant portal.
1-3 months
Required notices are published and mailed to known creditors. We manage the claims period, evaluate any claims received, and advise on proper responses. This period is typically 3-6 months depending on state law.
3-6 months
We coordinate with tax professionals on required filings, prepare estate accountings, and ensure all financial obligations are addressed before distributions.
Ongoing
Once all obligations are satisfied, we prepare distribution documents, coordinate asset transfers to beneficiaries, obtain receipts, and file any required closing documents with the court.
2-4 weeks
Common Questions
Simple estates typically take 6-12 months. Complex estates with significant assets, tax issues, or family complications can take 1-2 years or longer. Factors include the state where probate is filed, whether the will is contested, creditor claims, and tax filing requirements. We provide realistic timeline estimates during your initial consultation.
Probate is a court-supervised process for estates where assets are titled in the decedent's name alone. Trust administration happens outside of court, the successor trustee follows trust terms without court oversight. Trusts typically settle faster and more privately than probated estates.
Absolutely. This is exactly what we do. Many executors feel overwhelmed, there are legal requirements, deadlines, and fiduciary duties they've never encountered before. We guide you through every step, handle the legal filings, and ensure you fulfill your responsibilities correctly.
In most cases, no. While probate involves court filings, the vast majority of estate administrations are handled through paperwork without requiring the executor's appearance in court. If a hearing is required, we prepare you thoroughly.
We help you communicate with beneficiaries appropriately, what you're required to share, how to handle requests, and when to say no. Your fiduciary duty is to the estate, not to any individual beneficiary's preferences. If disputes escalate to litigation, we can refer you to appropriate counsel.
Yes. Most estate administration work can be handled through video consultations, electronic documents, and our secure portal. Court filings are increasingly electronic, and many states now permit remote notarization. We'll let you know if any steps require in-person attendance.
Executors can be personally liable for mishandling estate assets, paying beneficiaries before creditors, missing tax deadlines, or failing to follow the will's terms. Proper legal guidance protects you from these risks, it's one of the most important reasons to work with an attorney.
Costs depend on estate complexity. Simple estates with few assets and cooperative beneficiaries are less expensive than complex estates with multiple properties, business interests, or tax complications. We provide fee estimates during your initial consultation, and many fees are paid from estate assets rather than out-of-pocket.
Related Services
Plan ahead to make administration easier for your loved ones. Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that simplify the process when the time comes.
Learn moreStrategic giving that maximizes impact while providing tax benefits. Charitable trusts, donor-advised funds, and legacy philanthropy.
Learn moreIf you've been named executor or trustee and don't know where to start, schedule a consultation. We'll explain the process and help you understand your responsibilities.