Trust Administration Attorney in Pinellas County, Florida
If you’ve been named a
successor trustee or are a
beneficiary of a trust, you may be asking: What happens now? While trusts are often designed to avoid probate, they still require careful administration after a death. At De Paz Law, we guide trustees and beneficiaries through
Florida trust administration with clarity, efficiency, and peace of mind — helping you avoid missteps early and move the trust toward proper completion.
Trust Administration vs. Probate — What’s the Difference?
Below is a clear, plain-English comparison to help you understand the difference:
- Trust administration is typically private, handled outside of court, and often faster
- Probate is court-supervised and involves formal filings and timelines
Even with a trust, important steps still must happen — including notifying beneficiaries, securing assets, accounting for transactions, and distributing property according to the trust’s terms. Our role is to make sure those steps are handled correctly and efficiently under Florida law.
What Happens After the Trust Creator Dies?
After a death, a trustee’s responsibilities begin immediately. Common next steps include:
- Locating and reviewing the trust document
- Confirming who the successor trustee is
- Identifying and securing trust assets
- Obtaining date-of-death valuations
- Managing ongoing expenses and bills
- Providing required notices to beneficiaries
- Coordinating tax-related items when applicable
- Distributing assets according to the trust
- Preparing final trust accountings and closing the trust
Missing or mishandling any of these steps can expose a trustee to
personal liability — which is why many trustees choose to work with an experienced trust administration attorney.
Trustee Duties Under Florida Law
Florida law places clear obligations on trustees. These duties include:
- Acting in the best interests of all beneficiaries
- Remaining impartial between beneficiaries
- Keeping accurate records and accountings
- Providing required information and notices
- Following the trust terms precisely
Beneficiaries also have rights — including the right to information, accountings, and proper administration. We help trustees meet their obligations while minimizing risk and conflict.
A Step-by-Step Trustee Roadmap
Our approach focuses on structure and risk reduction:
01
Trust Review & Strategy
We analyze the trust terms and explain your duties in plain English.
02
Asset Identification & Control
We help ensure assets are properly titled and protected.
03
Notices & Compliance
Florida requires specific beneficiary notices and timelines — we handle these carefully.
04
Ongoing Administration
We guide distributions, expense payments, and documentation throughout the process.
05
Final Distribution & Wrap-Up
We assist with final accountings and trust closure to reduce future disputes.
Related Probate & Planning Services
If you're exploring probate options, these pages may also be helpful:
Serving as a Trustee? We Can Help.
If you’ve been named a trustee or have questions as a beneficiary, don’t navigate trust administration alone. We’ll explain your responsibilities, protect you from risk, and guide the process from start to finish.