Trust Administration

Trust Administration Lawyers in Beaverton, OR

Legal Assistance for Successor Trustees in Washington County & Beyond

Being named a trustee or a successor trustee to a trust can be daunting. Many families assume that because an estate plan includes a trust, the transfer of assets occurs automatically without any legal oversight. 

While a living trust successfully avoids the public, time-consuming probate court system, a vital legal process must take place to properly manage, protect, and distribute the assets. This process is known as trust administration.

As a trustee, you are held to a high legal standard by the state. You are responsible for identifying assets, notifying beneficiaries, settling outstanding debts, filing specialized tax returns, and distributing inheritances. 

Sunstone Planning LLC breaks down these complex steps into clear, manageable tasks. From our office in Beaverton, we guide families in both Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, through the administration process with compassion, patience, and clarity.

Discuss your legal needs with a Beaverton trust administration attorney in a complimentary in-office or virtual consultation by contacting us online or at (971) 376-7745. 

Our Clients Experince With Us

At Sunstone Planning LLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    “Thank you so much, Sunstone Planning!”
    “I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone looking for advice with their estate planning.”
    - Todd H.
    “Kaitlyn is an absolute pro!”
    “You need someone knowledgeable, capable, and thorough who remains calm and keeps it simple.”
    - Brady W.
    “The attorney really impressed me.”
    “It was just such a night-and-day difference.”
    - Peter B.
    “Kaitlyn is skilled, professional, and easy to work with.”
    “I am happy working with her and confident referring her. Highly recommend.”
    - Eleni G.
    “We can recommend Sunstone with no reservations.”
    “Sunstone was very professional and an immense help in setting up our trust.”
    - Diane S.
    “I would confidently recommend reaching out to Sunstone Planning.”
    “I’m consistently impressed by the professionalism and expertise she brings to her work.”
    - Brian W.
    “A trustworthy choice who brings total peace of mind.”
    “Excellent, timely communication, thorough explanations of the process, would recommend to anyone.”
    - Grace M.
    “Hands down the best money I have spent.”
    “Kaitlyn really took the time to understand my objectives, a bit complicated, and she put my future plans in place.”
    - Amy S.

Tailored Guidance for Varied Types of Trusts

Trust administration is not limited to a standard living trust after someone passes away. Different types of trusts hold distinct administrative rules and timelines. Our boutique legal team assists trustees across a wide spectrum of trust structures:

  • Revocable living trusts - Settling a loved one's everyday estate, valuing personal assets, and transferring property directly to heirs without probate court involvement.
  • Testamentary trusts - Administering trusts that are automatically triggered inside a will after a person passes away. Because these structures originate within a will, we help you coordinate with the local probate court to officially establish the trust infrastructure.
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Your Step-by-Step Path for Managing an Estate

Regardless of the type of trust you are managing, administration involves specific legal and financial deadlines that cannot be overlooked. We help you execute each requirement methodically, lowering your personal legal liability and protecting family harmony:

  • Document review and interpretation - We help you read and interpret the specific terms of the trust, identifying exactly who the beneficiaries are, how the assets are to be divided, and what specific powers you hold.
  • Mandatory legal notifications - State laws in both Oregon and Washington require the trustee to send formal legal notices to all heirs and beneficiaries within a strict statutory window.
  • Asset inventory and valuation - We assist you in gathering, valuing, and securing all trust property, including local real estate, bank accounts, and investments, to establish an accurate accounting of the estate.
  • Settling liabilities and final distributions - Before any inheritance can be passed to heirs, you must pay valid creditor claims, final expenses, and coordinate with a CPA for state and federal tax compliance. Once cleared, we help you legally transfer the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.

Your Flat-Fee Partner in Oregon & Washington

Settling an estate or managing a family trust should never be complicated by unpredictable legal bills. We handle trust administration matters on a transparent flat-fee basis, removing the anxiety of traditional hourly billing. 

Because our legal team is licensed in both Oregon and Washington, we provide seamless support for families with regional cross-border assets or out-of-state beneficiaries. 

Principal attorney Kaitlyn Metscher built her career by working up through every tier of the legal system, giving our firm a meticulous, ground-up understanding of how trusts operate in practice. We are here to answer your questions, manage the documentation, and simplify the administrative burden so you can focus on your family.

Message our firm online or call (971) 376-7745 to schedule your complimentary consultation with a Beaverton trust administration attorney today. 

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Our FAQ

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 971-376-7745 today!

  • Does a trust replace the need for a will?
    Most estate plans include a will, even if you have a trust. We make sure both documents work together to cover everything.
  • Can I change my trust later?
    Most revocable trusts can be changed or revoked while you're alive. Irrevocable trusts have more restrictions, but we'll explain them fully before you decide.
  • Can a trust help avoid probate in Washington County?
    Yes. A revocable living trust can help assets avoid probate in Washington County and throughout Oregon, as long as it's properly funded.
  • What is the difference between a will and a trust?
    A will decides how assets are distributed after death and usually goes through probate. A trust manages assets during life and after death, and may help avoid probate.