Being named successor trustee is an honor. It's also a job: one that often arrives during grief, with deadlines, paperwork and decisions you were never prepared for. If you live far away, work full time or simply don't want the role, Steward Legacy Group can step in and handle trust administration for you, where your trust's terms allow.
Successor Trustee Help: Let Us Carry the Load
Sound familiar?
You don't have to do this alone.
You were named trustee without being asked or prepared
You're grieving and facing paperwork, taxes and decisions you don't understand
You live out of state, work full time or are caring for your own family
Relationships with siblings or other beneficiaries are strained
You're worried about making a mistake you could be personally liable for
What is a successor trustee?
A successor trustee is the person or firm named in a trust to take over management when the original trustee dies or can no longer serve. Successor trustee duties include securing assets, notifying banks and agencies, paying debts and taxes, keeping records, communicating with beneficiaries and distributing property exactly as the trust directs. For trusts with real estate or multiple accounts, this commonly takes 12 to 18 months.
How we help successor trustees
Take over completely.
If your trust allows you to resign or appoint a successor, we can step in as trustee and handle administration from start to finish.
Coordinate everyone.
We work with the estate attorney, the accountant, financial institutions and real estate professionals, and we keep every beneficiary informed.
Work alongside you.
Prefer to stay involved? We can carry the day to day work while you stay informed and make key decisions with us.
How it works
1.
Call or book a free consultation and tell us where things stand.
2.
We review the trust with you and the attorney to confirm the right path.
3.
Your attorney handles the resignation or appointment paperwork where needed.
4.
We take it from there and keep you updated at every step.
FAQs
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Yes. Many successor trustees hire a professional trustee or trust administrator to handle part or all of the work. Your trust and your attorney will confirm what's allowed.
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The process depends on your trust's terms. Many trusts allow a trustee to resign with written notice and name or allow appointment of a successor. Your estate planning attorney can confirm the steps.
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A successor trustee manages assets held in a trust, usually without court involvement. An executor, called a personal representative in Oregon, manages an estate that goes through probate.
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Successor trustees are generally entitled to reasonable compensation from the trust. Family members sometimes waive it. Professional trustee fees are explained in your consultation.
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Yes. We handle the local work in Oregon so you don't have to travel or take time away from your own family.
Professional trustee fees
Related links at the bottom: Successor Trustee Help · For Attorneys