Avoiding Litigation
By ensuring perfect compliance with accounting and notice rules, we prevent the "misunderstandings" that lead to trust disputes.
While a living trust is designed to avoid the public and costly probate process, it does not administer itself. When a trust creator passes away, the individual named as the Successor Trustee must step into a role of significant legal and fiduciary responsibility. Trust administration is the private process of following the trust’s instructions, notifying beneficiaries, settling debts, and ultimately distributing the assets.
At the Law Offices of W. Steven Chou, we have spent over 25 years guiding trustees through these complex requirements. Whether you are managing a family home in Irvine or a complex portfolio in La Palma, Attorney Steven Chou provides the clear, transparent support needed to fulfill your duties and protect yourself from personal liability.
Acting as a trustee involves a series of mandatory legal steps under the California Probate Code. Failure to follow these procedures can lead to delays, family disputes, or even legal action against the trustee personally.
Mandatory Legal Notifications (Probate Code § 16061.7)
Asset Inventory and Valuation
Debt and Tax Management
For many Southern California families, the family home is the most valuable asset in the trust. Under Proposition 19, inheriting property can trigger a massive property tax reassessment unless specific criteria are met. We help trustees navigate the “Parent-to-Child” transfer rules to preserve lower tax bases whenever possible, saving beneficiaries thousands of dollars annually.
Successor trustees are often family members who are grieving while trying to navigate a complex legal landscape. We provide a steady hand to ensure the process remains private and efficient:
If you have been named as a successor trustee, you do not have to handle the burden alone. We are ready to assist you from our offices in La Palma and Irvine, serving clients throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Are you overwhelmed by the legal requirements of your new role?
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice for any individual or for any situation or case. The information provided is neither intended to create an attorney-client privilege, nor does viewing this website create an attorney-client privilege.