California Trust and Estate Administration Law Firm

Our Trust And Estate Administration Law Firm Handles The Business Matters, You Attend To What Matters Most

The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc. has handled the post-death administration for over 4,000 estates, easing the burden on clients throughout Southern California. We offer a free initial consultation with trustees to determine what will need to be done during administration, finding the best ways to help you achieve your goals with minimal stress. Simply fill out our contact form to get started.

Our Trust And Estate Administration Attorney Can Help With The Following:

Funding of Trusts.

When the estate administration involves a Living Trust, the survivor trustee (often the surviving spouse) assumes control of the property held in the trust without the need to go through probate. The proper funding of your trust is of critical importance to your loved ones, as it may save countless estate tax and income tax dollars down the road. Funding of trusts may also help protect the surviving spouse from lawsuits or government claims, and assure that other beneficiaries will properly receive their intended inheritance when the surviving spouse dies.

Federal Estate Tax Return.

We have efficiently and effectively prepared estate tax returns for over one thousand clients over the years. For high-value estates, it may be required to file a tax return and pay taxes within nine months of a death. Even if no taxes are due, a federal estate tax return may be filed when the first spouse dies to help reduce or eliminate estate tax when the surviving spouse dies. A state estate tax return may also be necessary if you own assets outside of California. Our work in preparing these returns goes far beyond plugging in your information and computing the taxes due; we employ legal strategies to help reduce your family’s tax obligation.

Distributions to Beneficiaries.

If assets in trust are not properly distributed to heirs, they may be subject to legal challenges and taxation down the road. Most importantly, real estate transfers should not be made to beneficiaries without the assistance of a law firm, as it could jeopardize your low property tax base status. If beneficiaries are to receive their inheritance through a Personal Asset Trust, this will need to be established properly. We oversee distribution matters such as maximizing asset protection benefits, changing titles, preventing creditor claims, and ensuring the trust works as intended.

Spousal Petition.

If you do not have a Living Trust, you may avoid lengthy probate proceedings upon the death of your spouse through the use of a simplified spousal property petition. Additionally, if you and your spouse did not enter into a property agreement, the court may declare your spouse’s assets to be community property—giving you substantial tax benefits.

Trust Modification or Reformation.

It may be necessary to make changes to an irrevocable trust or a Living Trust after the maker or first spouse has passed. We may utilize a special agreement between the trustee and beneficiaries, or several different court procedures to accomplish your objectives.

Trust and Estate Litigation.

If the trustee, executor, or beneficiaries are disputing the terms of a will or trust, these may need to be resolved through legal action. We may provide assistance in properly interpreting provisions in a will or trust, defending claims against the estate, and handling other court matters.

Estate Planning for Beneficiaries.

Once an inheritance is received, beneficiaries will need to protect these assets from threats such as divorce, lawsuits, and creditors, as well as ensure their own heirs will not be stuck with high fees or estate taxes. We are here to assist the next generation of loved ones with their estate planning needs.

Our legal team provides peace of mind to clients in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. Contact The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc. today to have us provide answers to your questions and guide your family through this difficult time.

Do You Need To Speak With A Trust & Estate Administration Attorney?

If you need to speak with an experienced California trust and estate administration lawyer please contact us online or call us directly at 800.756.5596 to first register for one of our free, informative seminars. Your attendance will qualify you for a special discount for our estate planning services should you decide to make a free appointment at the conclusion of the seminar and choose to proceed with us. Our trust and administration law firm proudly serve clients throughout California from our main office in Torrance, as well as those in Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Segundo, San Pedro, and Rancho Palos Verdes.

When You Want the Very Best for Your Loved Ones, Choose Us.

Experience and Expertise. Estate planning and post-death administration are all we do. Our attorneys have over 70 years of combined expertise in the field, and three of our attorneys have passed an additional Bar examination and peer review process to become State Bar Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Two of our attorneys also have Master’s Degrees in Tax Law, giving us unique insight into how estate tax and income tax will affect your family’s inheritance.

Customization and Attention to Detail. Before we create or update your estate plan, we get to know you, your goals, and what matters to you most. We take the time to listen to your concerns and attend to each of your unique needs and desires as if they were our own. When we complete your plan, we perform a detailed quality control process to help ensure your objectives are met. We also provide you with a personalized Owner’s Manual containing all of your important documents, and your Successor Trustee with a Manual containing helpful, plain-English checklists and easy-to-follow procedures.

Lifetime Relationship. All of our estate plans include a free ongoing service package. We take phone calls any time you have questions, perform free estate planning checkups every three years, and keep you abreast of changes in the law and planning strategies with our complimentary newsletters and educational seminars. And, when the time comes, we will be there to help your trustee and loved ones.

California Trust and Estate Administration Law Firm

Our Trust And Estate Administration Law Firm Handles The Business Matters, You Attend To What Matters Most

Our Trust And Estate Administration Attorney Can Help With The Following:

Funding of Trusts.

Federal Estate Tax Return.

Distributions to Beneficiaries.

Free Estate Planning Seminars

Estate Planning Newsletters