Trust Administration Help for Westlake Village Families

Being named the trustee of a loved one’s trust is an honor—but it can also feel overwhelming. Our Westlake Village team helps you understand what to do and when, so you’re not handling it alone.

Schedule a 15-Minute Consultation

Clear Guidance for Successor Trustees in Westlake Village

If you’re a successor trustee in California wondering what comes next, you’re in the right place. Trust administration involves legal duties, timelines, tax requirements, and communication with beneficiaries—and most trustees have never done it before. As a trust administration attorney serving Westlake Village, we help you handle each step properly and confidently.



Our firm has long-standing roots in the Conejo Valley, and we often assist successor trustees for clients whose trusts we drafted years ago. Even if the trust was created elsewhere, our experience with California trust administration means we can step in quickly and guide you through the process with clarity and compassion.

Group of professionals smiling outdoors in a park setting, wearing business attire.

Your Westlake Village Trust Administration Checklist

Successor trustees often ask, “I’m a successor trustee—what do I do?” Here is a simple checklist to help you visualize the path ahead:

Notify beneficiaries and interested parties

We help prepare required notices so everyone is informed and your administration starts on solid legal ground.

Identify, gather, and value trust assets

This includes bank accounts, investments, real estate, personal property, and any business interests. We help you track and document everything properly.

Open a trust checking account

A dedicated trust account keeps administration funds separate from personal funds and avoids accidental commingling.

Pay valid debts, taxes, and expenses

Trustees must manage bills, tax filings, and creditor claims. We help you prioritize and document each payment.

Communicate with beneficiaries

Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings. We help you decide what to share, how often, and how to document your decisions.

Distribute remaining assets

Once obligations are met, you distribute assets according to the trust terms and California law.

Prepare final accounting and close the trust

We help you prepare a final summary for beneficiaries and close the administration with confidence.

This structure helps you feel organized, informed, and supported through every step.

Support for Every Type of Trust Administration Scenario

Westlake Village families often have trusts that evolve across different stages of life. We assist trustees in all types of administration, including:



  • After the first spouse’s death
    Some joint trusts split into sub-trusts or require specific funding steps. We guide you through these transitions.

  • After the surviving spouse’s death
    This stage typically involves final distributions to children or other beneficiaries, real estate transfers, and closing the estate.

  • Trust administration during incapacity
    If the trustmaker is alive but unable to manage finances, a successor trustee may step in. We help ensure decisions are documented properly and coordinated with powers of attorney.


We’ve worked with many Westlake Village families from creating their trusts to later guiding the next generation through administration—so we understand the full picture.

Need Help Understanding Your Trustee Duties?

Unsure about your next steps as trustee? Contact us for a straightforward consultation—we’ll help you make a game plan for administering the trust properly.

Schedule a 15-Minute Call
Black speech bubble icon with a white question mark inside.

Westlake Village Trust Administration FAQs

  • What is the difference between probate and trust administration?

    Probate is a court-supervised process required when assets are titled solely in the decedent’s name. Trust administration happens outside of court when assets are held in a trust, which often makes the process faster and more private. We help you understand when both may apply.

  • What liabilities do trustees face?

    Trustees have fiduciary duties to act prudently, follow the trust, and treat beneficiaries fairly. Failure to do so can create personal liability. We help you document your decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

  • How are trustees (and the firm) compensated?

    California law allows trustees to receive reasonable compensation for their time and responsibilities. Attorney fees are paid from the trust as part of administration. We explain all costs upfront so you know what to expect.

  • How do I handle difficult beneficiaries or family disagreements?

    We help you set boundaries, communicate factually, and resolve issues before they escalate. In some cases, having us communicate directly can reduce tension and keep the administration on track.

  • How long does trust administration take?

    Simple administrations may take a few months; more complex cases involving real estate sales, tax filings, or beneficiary disputes may take longer. We help you create a timeline and keep things moving efficiently.

Get Clear, Steady Guidance for Westlake Village Trust Administration

You don’t have to navigate trust administration alone. Our experienced team is here to support Westlake Village trustees with clarity, structure, and compassion.

Schedule a 15-Minute Call