Administering Estates and Trusts

Have you been named as executor or trustee?  What do you do?  What legal obligations do you have, and what risks are you taking if you serve?

The attorneys at The Karisch Law Firm, PLLC, have represented hundreds of executors, administrators and trustees and can advise you about your legal responsibilities and risks.  Estate and trust administration can be a smooth, straightforward process, or it can be a harrowing experience.  We can explain the process and help you evaluate the risks.

If you are named as executor in a loved one's will, our representation can help you:

• Get the will admitted to probate (recognized as valid by a court).
• Give the necessary notices to creditors of the decedent.
• Give the necessary notices to beneficiaries named in the will.
• Prepare and file the required inventory of estate assets.
• Process creditors' claims.
• Account to beneficiaries.
• Formulate a plan for distributing estate assets to the beneficiaries.

If you are named as the trustee or successor trustee of a trust, we can:

• Explain your powers and duties under the terms of the trust and applicable law.
• Explain the standards to which you will be held when you invest trust property, including your obligations under the Texas Uniform Prudent Investor Act.
• Help you account to trust beneficiaries.

Please review the frequently asked questions on Steps to Take When Someone Dies and Independent Executors on the Texas Probate Web Site, then contact The Karisch Law Firm, PLLC, for a consultation.