Steady counsel during difficult moments.

Estate and trust administration is the process of carrying out a deceased person's wishes. It includes identifying assets, notifying creditors and beneficiaries, paying debts and taxes, accounting for the estate or trust, and making distributions. Done well, it brings clarity and closure. Done poorly, it can fracture families.

Probate administration involves court oversight of a will and the assets that pass through it. Trust administration generally happens outside of court, governed by the terms of the trust. Each has its own timeline, paperwork, and pitfalls. Many families face both at once.

Administration unfolds in the middle of grief. We work with that reality in mind: we move at a pace the family can absorb, we communicate in plain language, and we hold the legal complexity so that the family can focus on what matters.

We assist with asset identification, creditor notice, beneficiary communication, accountings, court filings where required, and final distributions. We coordinate with financial advisors, accountants, and real estate professionals so that the family does not have to manage all of those relationships alone.

Serving as a trustee carries real legal duties: loyalty, prudence, fair dealing, accurate accounting, and adherence to the terms of the trust. We help trustees understand what is required of them and how to fulfill those duties without inadvertent missteps.

When a loved one held assets in more than one state, administration can quickly become a multi-jurisdictional puzzle. With licensure in VA, MD, D.C., FL, and CA, we can often coordinate the entire administration under one roof.

Most administrations benefit from professional guidance. Some absolutely require it: contested estates, complex trusts, blended families, and administrations involving business interests or significant tax issues. If you are facing any of these, please reach out as early as possible.