Probate & Trust Administration

Probate & Trust Administration in Bloomington, IN

Probate and trust administration is the legal process of administering and distributing assets of a deceased individual to their beneficiaries through estate planning documents or by law. We provide advice and representation to trustees, personal representatives, heirs, beneficiaries, and other fiduciaries involved in the probate and trust process. Our office strives to ensure prompt resolution and minimize stress during estate and trust administration.

We Assist Many Indiana Locations

Slotegraaf Niehoff is proud to provide estate and trust administration services to clients throughout many areas in southern Indiana. Reach out to us for professional legal assistance in the following locations:

We’re Probate and Trust Administration Experts

The task of carrying out the duties of an administrator or trustee can be overwhelming and confusing. We work with and guide personal representatives, trustees, and other fiduciaries through each step of the process, and we assist with specific issues that are unique to the estate being administered.

We also provide services to beneficiaries of estates and trusts that are unable to obtain satisfactory and reasonable responses, probate and trust accountings, distributions, or believe the last will or trust may be invalid or created under suspicious circumstances.

Common services during estate and trust administration include filing paperwork to open an estate, either supervised or unsupervised by the court, assessing tax implications of property distributions, paying claims of the estate, re-titling jointly owned property, completing beneficiary claims, final accountings, and closing an estate upon completion.

In addition to our Will and Trust administrative services, we also assist Estates, Trusts, and beneficiaries with disputes. Our attorneys represent individuals in a broad range of probate and trust disputes, including Will Contests, Trust Contests, and Tortious Interference with inheritance. We will work closely with you to understand your family dynamic and legal issues and effectively manage and prepare your case while pursuing the best course based on your objectives. Our attorneys will assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case and provide clear guidance on the potential obstacles involved.

Our Probate & Trust Administration Services include:

Preparing for Probate and Trust Administration Services

Preparing for probate and trust administration services is a systematic process that requires a comprehensive understanding of the decedent’s estate plan. Upon the settlor’s death, the successor trustee, designated in the trust document, assumes responsibility for the trust administration.

Trust administration services guide the trustee through the administration process, ensuring they act in the best interest of the trust beneficiaries. This process begins with collecting a death certificate and organizing the estate planning documents, such as the last will and testament, trust agreements, and life insurance policies.

A crucial part of the trust administration starts with the identification and valuation of trust assets, which may include property, retirement accounts, investment accounts, and any other assets. Trustees should also promptly notify financial institutions and family members of the death to avoid potential fraud on the decedent’s accounts.

Income and taxes are integral parts of trust administration. Trustees are required to prepare and file the decedent’s final income tax return and any required trust tax returns. Additionally, income taxes on any income earned by the estate during the administration process must be paid. Trust administration services can assist in determining any applicable taxes and ensuring they are paid correctly.

Another aspect is the distribution of assets to beneficiaries, including individuals, charitable organizations, or a charitable trust, as outlined in the trust document. The personal representative or trustee is responsible for ensuring these distributions are made in accordance with the trust’s terms.

Trustees must also keep a detailed account of all expenses paid from the estate, including administration costs, and be prepared to provide these details to the beneficiaries.

Because trustees are not always experts in these matters, they benefit greatly from calling our professional attorneys for assistance.

Our Other Legal Services Include:

Family Law

Mediation

Collaborative Divorce

Business Law and Consulting

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Slotegraaf Niehoff Law will always be ready to help residents of Bloomington, Monroe, Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Owen, and Morgan counties, IN, in need of probate and trust administration services. Clients can always trust our experienced attorneys, who are committed to delivering quality assistance while easing their worries. We pride ourselves on our open communication, which is why we’re dedicated to listening closely to your needs, respecting what you have to say, and maintaining absolute transparency throughout our collaboration.

To learn more about what our probate and trust administration services entail or to set up an appointment, please feel free to contact us at your convenience.