Estate & Trust Administration

Turning Point Legal, PC helps your family administer your estate or trust by providing legal representation to trustees, executors, beneficiaries, and heirs. Whether you have a will or a trust, we can assist your loved ones in settling your estate.

Estate planning is the process of designing the plan, and estate and trust administration is putting the plan into action. If your estate planning is by a will, your beneficiaries are required to go through probate administration to carry out your wishes. Probate is the court-supervised process of identifying and collecting the assets, paying debts, and distributing the balance of the estate to beneficiaries. Assets are distributed according to the instructions written in the decedent’s will and according to the laws of Alabama.

If your estate planning is by a trust, your assets likely pass through a trust administration, thus avoiding the probate process. However, administering a trust is complex and includes:

• Identifying and appraising assets
• Understanding the trust terms
• Filing trust tax returns
• Distributing assets to the beneficiaries

Trustees, executors, and other personal representatives have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the beneficiary’s best interest. They are responsible for making important decisions — sometimes quickly. We understand the estate and trust administration process and dedicate ourselves to guiding your loved ones when carrying out the directions of your will, revocable or irrevocable trusts. We answer questions and walk them through the process until it is complete.

Guardianship/Conservatorship

You may need a trust with disability provisions and an updated power of attorney so your loved ones won’t need to request a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding in court if you become incapacitated. An Alabama court may not choose a trusted family member to act as your guardian/conservator. With appropriate planning in place, however, the court may not be needed for your protection, or if they are, your plan documents provide the court information on your wishes and who you want to help you carry them out if you become unable to manage on your own.

With their extensive experience helping clients protect valuable assets in Alabama, attorneys Laura and Norma are prepared to handle all your elder law and estate planning needs, including special needs, Medicaid qualification, long-term care, and estate administration.

Contact us to learn more about our estate and trust administration services in Alabama.