What should a trustee do first after someone dies?

Kavesh, Minor & Otis — Trusted Estate Administration & Estate Planning Attorneys In Torrance Serving the Greater South Bay

What should a trustee do first after someone dies?

A trustee should first secure important documents, obtain certified death certificates, review the trust and any amendments, identify assets, and determine immediate financial obligations.

It is also important to safeguard real estate, maintain insurance coverage, secure valuables, and begin communicating appropriately with beneficiaries. Early organization and proper guidance can significantly reduce delays and complications later in the administration process.

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Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc. — Experienced Estate Planning & Trust Administration Attorneys In Torrance and Serving the Greater South Bay

Are you a successor trustee? We can help you administer a trust smoothly, without stress, surprises or fights.

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 discuss scheduling a free appointment, if you qualify. Please note that our firm can only meet with the Successor Trustee or Executor of a decedent’s CA trust or will. Additionally, we do not contest or litigate any trusts or wills. Our trust and administration law firm proudly serves clients throughout California from our main office in Torrance, including Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Palos Verdes Peninsula and the Greater South Bay area.

Philip J. Kavesh

Helping clients with customized estate planning guidance and trust & estate administration for over 45 years.

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Peter Keon of Kavesh, Minor & Otis provided excellent consultation for preparation in determining if Edward Jones Trust Company would act as a Successor Trustee. We highly recommend his Trust services. James & Camille, Hermosa Beach
Last week we completed with the law firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, the updating of our Trust. The specifics were handled by Peter Keon, who was very professional, competent and helpful. He went through in detail our 2+ inches thick, very useful, and complete Trust manual. We strongly recommend Kavesh Law Firm if you are interested in a reliable implementation of your trust. Maud & Tonis T., Manhattan Beach
★★★★★ “I had a positive experience managing my Executor role for my Uncle Tony’s estate. Working with Tammy Ng over several months, I found her unfailingly kind, understanding of my delinquent responses, helpful, brief, and delightful. I would strongly recommend working with this firm and ask for Tammy.” Thomas M.

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Call us at 1-800-756-5596 or complete the form below to determine if you qualify for a free attorney consultation.

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990 W 190th St Ste 500
Torrance, CA 90502
Phone: 1-800-756-5596
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Hermosa Beach

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We Serve Hermosa Beach clients from our Torrance office.
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El Segundo

We serve El Segundo clients from our Torrance Office
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Peter Keon of Kavesh, Minor & Otis provided excellent consultation for preparation in determining if Edward Jones Trust Company would act as a Successor Trustee. We highly recommend his Trust services. James & Camille, Hermosa Beach

Last week we completed with the law firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, the updating of our Trust. The specifics were handled by Peter Keon, who was very professional, competent and helpful. He went through in detail our 2+ inches thick, very useful, and complete Trust manual. We strongly recommend Kavesh Law Firm if you are interested in a reliable implementation of your trust. Maud & Tonis T., Manhattan Beach

★★★★★ “I had a positive experience managing my Executor role for my Uncle Tony’s estate. Working with Tammy Ng over several months, I found her unfailingly kind, understanding of my delinquent responses, helpful, brief, and delightful. I would strongly recommend working with this firm and ask for Tammy.” Thomas M.

★★★★★ “Great review of our trust. Jane Lee very efficient and easy to talk to and gave us good advice as to how to avoid problems in the future.” Fred P.

★★★★★ “I am with Kavesh, Minor & Otis since 1996. Jane earned my trust. She always gave me good advice. I feel confident that she will make sure that the transition to the successor trustee will be smooth when I am gone. I also know that the company she recommended as successor trustee is trustworthy.” Agnes F.

When You Want the 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 and all 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 and provide your successor Trustee with a Manual containing helpful, plain-English checklists and easy-to-follow procedures to follow when the time comes to act.
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.