Services Estate & Trust Administration

Estate & Trust Administration

When you are processing the death of a family member, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by estate and trust administration. Not only are you dealing with the emotional impact of the loss, but you are legally trying to understand the paperwork, taxes, and legal implications. 

Let go of your stress and put your worries at ease, because we are here to help. Common questions our clients have are: 

• What are the important deadlines for an estate administration?
• What actions are necessary if the estate includes real estate outside of Pennsylvania?
• What if we cannot find the Will?
• Who needs to be involved in the process? 
• How will an estate administrator help me? 
• Do I really need to probate my family member’s will?
• How do I find the best estate and trust administration attorney for my family circumstances? 

During this trying time, taking action sooner rather than later is the best approach. Being proactive will give you the most options and more decision-making time. Our team starts by giving you a list of estate and trust administration documents you need. Don’t worry, we will walk you through each step from start to finish. 

What Is Estate Administration? 

Do you love paying bills, managing paperwork, filing taxes, and reading through legal briefs? We didn’t think so! That is why you want to work with an Estate and Trust Administrator at Anderson Elder Law. After we get the needed paperwork from you we will: 

• Walk you through the process of probate
• Collect additional documentation
• Coordinate appraisals
• Determine how to avoid overpayment of taxes
• Prepare all relevant estate and inheritance tax returns
• Help you understand your options for trusts and division of assets
• Handle the paperwork of paying debts from the estate
• Oversee the distribution of assets
• Assist in the sale of real estate
• Manage any special needs and trust administration

An estate administrator on your team frees up your time! You can spend time with your family and fully enjoy this new phase of your life.

What Happens When a Will Goes to Probate? 

The process of estate and trust administration will be easier if a clear will and estate plan were created before the end of life. However, those documents are not always available for a wide range of reasons. We will start by working with what you do have. Your very first step is to contact us. We can help you save time, money, and frustration. 

Throughout the probate process, we serve as your advocates and help you navigate the legal hoops you have to jump through.

It is important that you take action as soon as possible, as every day of delay creates a greater risk of financial loss.

Each case is different, and we handle it like we would if you were a part of our own family. Some of the steps involved include:

• Collect assets and assist in appraisal if needed
• Pay debts and file all needed taxes (there are several different types of taxes involved)
• Make distributions in accordance with the will (or the law, if there is no will)
• Help to secure property and deal with insurance
• Send notifications to banks, employers, insurance companies, stock brokers, and any others
• Send written notices to beneficiaries

This is only a summary of some of the major things. Each individual case will be different.

How Does Federal Tax Estate Planning Help Me? 

The maze of taxation law that comes with estate administration can be baffling. Our experts will:

• Prepare and file all relevant estate tax returns
• Complete inheritance tax returns
• Make sure you don’t overpay on your taxes
• Help you qualify for your maximum inheritance
• Avoid unexpected bills

We will make sure that you comply with all of the legal necessities of an estate administration and that possible mistakes and subsequent liabilities you may bear as Executor or Trustee are eliminated. In other words – we help make sure you don’t have surprises later on because of unpaid debts or taxes.