Guzmán LaLonde, P.A. represents clients in the administration of decedents’ estates as well as in the administration of trusts during a beneficiary’s lifetime or after their death.

Minnesota Trust Administration

A trust is a legal relationship that allows one party (called the grantor) to entrust assets to another party (the trustee) to manage for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. There are different types of trusts created for different purposes.

A living trust allows a grantor to act as both trustee and beneficiary during their lifetime, and then for a successor trustee to take care of managing the trust and distributing assets after their death. Many people choose to have a living trust so their assets will not need to go through probate. A special needs or supplemental needs trust provides support for individuals with special needs without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.

Regardless of the type of trust, a trustee managing assets for another person’s benefit has important duties to fulfill. An experienced trust administration attorney can help a trustee ensure that they understand their obligations under the trust agreement and Minnesota law, including reporting requirements, tax filings, and keeping beneficiaries informed. Many trustees and successor trustees are unfamiliar with the responsibilities they must undertake; an attorney’s guidance can help them fulfill their obligations capably and with confidence.

Minnesota Estate Administration

Estate administration involves settling the estate of a deceased person (decedent) after their death. If the decedent had a trust, trust administration will be part of the estate administration.

It is common for a spouse, adult child, or other close family member to serve as Personal Representative of the decedent’s estate and to be responsible for all the duties associated with estate administration. What that often means is that the bereaved person has to manage the unfamiliar business of the estate while navigating the grief of their loss.

Estate administration involves numerous tasks, which may include:

• Opening a probate estate and submitting the Last Will and Testament (if any) for probate
• Identifying, safeguarding, and inventorying estate assets
• Notifying heirs and creditors of the opening of the estate
• Filing and paying taxes on behalf of the estate
• Paying legitimate debts of the estate according to the priority established by law
• Distributing estate assets to beneficiaries or heirs according to the estate plan or state law

An experienced estate administration attorney can guide a Personal Representative through these tasks, ensuring that they are completed properly and in a timely fashion. Because the attorney’s services provide a benefit to the estate, attorney fees are often paid from estate assets, rather than from the Personal Representative’s own funds.

Compassionate, Experienced Trust and Estate Administration Attorneys

Whether you are administering an estate or serving as trustee of a trust, the attorneys at Guzmán LaLonde, P.A. will take the time to explain the process and what is required in your role. It is natural to feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities, and we are here to lift a burden off of your shoulders and help you through every step of the process. Lori Guzmán and Kimberly LaLonde bring compassion and empathy, as well as experience, to the trust and estate administration process.

The steps to take in administering an estate or trust depend on the provisions of the estate plan and state law. Our experienced attorneys will explain the terms of these documents and the applicable laws and give you the step-by-step guidance you need to fulfill your obligations.

Trust and Estate Administration Help Throughout Minnesota

Guzmán LaLonde, P.A. is located in Apple Valley and serves clients with trust and estate administration matters throughout Minnesota. Our estate attorneys also help clients in the metropolitan Twin Cities areas of St. Paul and Minneapolis, including Dakota, Scott, Carver, Hennepin, Goodhue, Ramsey, Rice, Washington, and Anoka counties.

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about the other services we provide, such as estate planning, probate, guardianships and conservatorships, and family law. Often, individuals and families will find that they need assistance in these other areas of the law in the future. Details of these services will help educate you to determine if you might need additional help. Contact us to schedule a consultation regarding your trust or estate administration needs. We look forward to working with you!