Fouts Law Group, LLC can assist you in trust administration for both trustees and beneficiaries. The trust administration process will determine how and when you inherit, whether that inheritance is truly protected, and whether a trust administrator can fulfill their legal duties and protect the final wishes of the deceased. The process is an important one and shouldn’t be undertaken without experienced legal assistance.
If you have found yourself involved in the trust administration process, Fouts Law Group, LLC is here to help you. Call our office at (678) 242-8344 to speak with one of our experienced Ellijay trust administration attorneys. We can offer you personalized advice and answer questions you may have, including:
- What is trust administration?
- Do I need help with trust administration?
- How can a trust administration lawyer help?
What Is Trust Administration?
When a person who has created a trust passes away, trust administration begins. The instructions the person has left for their property must be carried out. The process is necessary to make sure the deceased’s wishes are respected and carried out, and that the person’s assets and property are used for their intended purposes.
A trust administrator conducts this process. It differs from the probate process in that the court does not become involved. Instead, the trust administrator carries out the wishes of the deceased in accordance with Georgia law. The instructions will be outlined in the trust document.
During the process of trust administration, the administrator will take care of assets and tax filings. The administrator will also take the necessary steps to transfer ownership of assets to beneficiaries. This may include transferring titles and deeds as well as paying property taxes.
Upon the close of the trust administration process, the beneficiaries named in the trust should become the legal owners of the assets they were left. Legal matters surrounding the trust will be considered settled.
Do I Need Help with Trust Administration?
As a trust administrator, you have a fiduciary duty, the highest duty you can be given under law. You must be sure that you understand the trust documents, know how to manage the assets named therein, and follow the administration requirements. A trust administrator can be held liable under certain conditions if beneficiaries do not receive the inheritance left to them. Because of this tremendous responsibility, it is strongly recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney.
As a beneficiary, you want the trust administration process to go smoothly. You don’t want to lose what you’ve inherited because a trust administrator behaves inappropriately or makes mistakes. You need to be certain that a trust administrator is acting on your behalf and not their own. You also need to make sure that you don’t lose your inheritance, or parts of it, because of mismanagement of assets or delays in the administration process.
Beneficiaries of an inheritance should seek the advice of a trust administration attorney. An Ellijay trust administration lawyer can assist you in overseeing the trust administration process or help you take legal action should the need arise.
When a trust is contested, it is typically more complex than contesting a will. If you do not believe that the trust accurately reflects the wishes of the deceased, you will want to contest that trust. To do this, you need an experienced advocate on your side who can assist you throughout the legal process.
How Can an Ellijay Trust Administration Lawyer Help?
Fouts Law Group, LLC understands the process of trust administration in Georgia. We have helped countless people fulfill their roles during the trust administration process. To discover more about how an Ellijay trust administration lawyer can help you, call (678) 242-8344 or contact us online and speak with a member of our team.
