Will & Trust Administration
When someone passes, the legal process can feel overwhelming. We help you through it.
You Have Enough to Worry About
Losing someone you love is hard enough. The last thing you need is confusion about legal paperwork, court deadlines, or who is supposed to do what.
If you have been named executor of an estate or successor trustee of a trust, you probably have questions. That is completely normal. Most people have never done this before.
We are here to walk you through it, step by step, so you can focus on your family.
What Executors and Trustees Need to Know
Being named executor or trustee is a responsibility. You are legally required to handle the estate properly, pay debts and taxes, and distribute assets according to the will or trust. It sounds straightforward, but the details can get complicated.
Common Questions We Help With:
- •Do I need to go through probate, or can I avoid it?
- •How do I notify creditors and pay debts?
- •What taxes need to be filed?
- •How do I transfer property to beneficiaries?
- •What if family members disagree about the will?
You do not have to figure this out alone. Gary has guided hundreds of families through this process.
Probate vs. Trust Administration
Probate is the court process for settling an estate when someone dies with a will (or without one). It involves filing paperwork with the court, notifying creditors, and getting court approval for distributions. It can take several months to over a year.
Trust administration is usually simpler because assets in a trust do not go through probate court. But there are still steps to follow, notices to send, and decisions to make.
We handle both. If you are not sure which applies to your situation, we can help you figure that out.
A Word About Handwritten Wills
Sometimes families discover a handwritten will, scribbled on a notepad or tucked in a drawer. Oregon does recognize handwritten wills in some cases, but they often create more problems than they solve.
Without proper legal language, a handwritten will can be unclear about who gets what. Without witnesses, it may be challenged. Family members who expected to inherit may feel wronged.
If you are dealing with a handwritten will, or if there is no will at all, we can help you understand your options and navigate the process.
What to Expect
When you come in, we will review the will or trust, explain what needs to happen, and help you understand your responsibilities. We will handle the court filings, creditor notices, and legal paperwork. You will always know what is going on and what comes next.
Our goal is to make this as smooth as possible for you and your family, so you can honor your loved one without getting buried in paperwork.