The Alvarez Firm — Trust Administration
0 of 34 tasks completed
Retainer Agreement
Calendar 10 Days From Mailing Date
Retainer Agreement
Calendar 10 Days From Mailing Date
Prepared and executed retainer agreement for trust administration services; reviewed scope of engagement and fee arrangement with successor trustee; calendared follow-up.
Remove Name from Contacts List on Outlook
Remove Name from Contacts List on Outlook
Administrative: updated firm contact database to reflect decedent's passing; removed decedent from active client contact list.
Pull Original Documents from Vault
Pull Original Documents from Vault
Retrieved and reviewed original trust documents, will, and related estate planning instruments from firm vault; confirmed document integrity and completeness.
Send Client Trust Administration Guide
Send Client Trust Administration Guide
Prepared and transmitted Trust Administration Guide to successor trustee; reviewed trustee duties, responsibilities, and administration timeline with client.
Search for Unclaimed Property
Search for Unclaimed Property
Conducted search of state unclaimed property database for assets held in decedent's name; reviewed results and documented findings for estate inventory.
Lodge Will with Court
Lodge Will with Court
Prepared and filed decedent's original will with the Superior Court pursuant to Probate Code requirements; obtained file-stamped confirmation of lodging.
Obtain EIN
Obtain EIN
Applied for and obtained Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for the decedent's trust; prepared SS-4 application and confirmed EIN assignment.
Consider Portability of Estate Tax Issue
Consider Portability of Estate Tax Issue
Analyzed estate for federal estate tax portability election; reviewed decedent's gross estate, applicable exclusion amount, and DSUE eligibility; advised successor trustee regarding timely filing of Form 706 to preserve portability.
Assumption of Duties as Successor Trustee
Assumption of Duties as Successor Trustee
Prepared notice of assumption of duties as successor trustee; reviewed trustee's fiduciary obligations and authority under the trust instrument; transmitted notice to relevant financial institutions and parties.
Notification by Trustee to Beneficiaries & Heirs (PC §16061.7) — with a Copy of the Trust
Calendar 120 Days From Mailing Date
Deadline: 60 days from DOD (enter DOD above)
Notification by Trustee to Beneficiaries & Heirs (PC §16061.7) — with a Copy of the Trust
Calendar 120 Days From Mailing Date
Prepared and served statutory notification to all beneficiaries and heirs pursuant to Probate Code §16061.7, including copy of trust instrument; calendared 120-day contest period from date of mailing.
Letter to Franchise Tax Board
Letter to Franchise Tax Board
Drafted and transmitted notification letter to California Franchise Tax Board advising of decedent's death and successor trustee's assumption of duties; provided EIN and trust identification information.
Letter to Department of Health Services
Letter to Department of Health Services
Drafted and transmitted notification letter to California Department of Health Services (Medi-Cal) advising of decedent's death; requested determination of any Medi-Cal recovery claim against the estate.
Receipt of Response Letter from DHS
Receipt of Response Letter from DHS
Received and reviewed response letter from California Department of Health Services regarding Medi-Cal recovery claim; analyzed claim amount and advised successor trustee on next steps.
Death Certificates
Death Certificates
Obtained certified copies of decedent's death certificate; distributed copies to financial institutions, government agencies, and other required parties in connection with trust administration.
Authorization for Release of Information — Successor Trustee
Authorization for Release of Information — Successor Trustee
Prepared and executed Authorization for Release of Information designating successor trustee; transmitted to financial institutions and relevant third parties to facilitate asset transfers and account access.
Email to Client re: Last Personal Income Tax Return
Email to Client re: Last Personal Income Tax Return
Corresponded with successor trustee regarding preparation and filing of decedent's final personal income tax return (Form 1040); coordinated with CPA and provided relevant documentation.
File IRS Form 56
File IRS Form 56
Prepared and filed IRS Form 56 (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) with the Internal Revenue Service to establish successor trustee's authority and notification obligations with the IRS.
Inventory of Assets and Liabilities
Inventory of Assets and Liabilities
Prepared comprehensive inventory of decedent's trust assets and liabilities as of date of death; gathered account statements, deeds, and valuations; documented all assets subject to trust administration.
Change in Ownership — Real Property (BOE Form 19P)
Change in Ownership — Real Property (BOE Form 19P)
Prepared and filed BOE Form 19P (Change in Ownership Statement — Death of Real Property Owner) with the County Assessor's Office for real property held in trust; documented transfer to successor trustee.
Change in Ownership — LLC (BOE Form 100-B)
Change in Ownership — LLC (BOE Form 100-B)
Prepared and filed BOE Form 100-B (Change in Ownership Statement — Legal Entity Ownership) with the County Assessor's Office reflecting change in ownership of LLC interests held in trust.
Claim for Reassessment Exclusion (Prop 58) — Homeowner's Exemption
To be filed within one year after death
Add to calendar for deadline (within 1 year of death)
Deadline: 365 days from DOD (enter DOD above)
Claim for Reassessment Exclusion (Prop 58) — Homeowner's Exemption
To be filed within one year after death
Add to calendar for deadline (within 1 year of death)
Prepared and filed Claim for Reassessment Exclusion under Proposition 58 (parent-child transfer) for real property subject to homeowner's exemption; calendared one-year filing deadline from date of death.
Affidavit — Death of Trustee (Real Estate)
Affidavit — Death of Trustee (Real Estate)
Prepared Affidavit of Death of Trustee for real property held in trust; obtained notarization and recorded affidavit with the County Recorder's Office to clear title and vest property in successor trustee.
Certification of Trust (Financial)
Certification of Trust (Financial)
Prepared Certification of Trust pursuant to Probate Code §18100.5 for presentation to financial institutions; summarized trustee authority, trust existence, and relevant trust provisions without disclosing full trust terms.
Abstract of Trust
Abstract of Trust
Prepared Abstract of Trust summarizing key provisions of the trust instrument for use with financial institutions and third parties; certified accuracy of abstract for recordation or submission purposes.
Appraisals — Real Estate & Personal Property
Appraisals — Real Estate & Personal Property
Coordinated and reviewed qualified appraisals of real estate and personal property as of date of death; engaged licensed appraisers; reviewed appraisal reports and incorporated valuations into estate inventory.
Consider Date of Death Valuation with First Spouse to Die
For step-up in basis / capital gains issue
Consider Date of Death Valuation with First Spouse to Die
For step-up in basis / capital gains issue
Analyzed date-of-death fair market valuations for trust assets in connection with first spouse's death; advised on stepped-up income tax basis under IRC §1014 and capital gains implications for surviving spouse and beneficiaries.
Declaration Pursuant to PC §13100
Declaration Pursuant to PC §13100
Prepared Declaration pursuant to Probate Code §13100 for collection of personal property and financial assets not exceeding the statutory threshold without formal probate; transmitted to applicable financial institutions.
850 Petition
850 Petition
Prepared and filed Petition pursuant to Probate Code §850 to confirm title to trust assets and/or compel transfer of property; drafted supporting declaration and proposed order; appeared at hearing.
Accounting
Accounting
Prepared formal trust accounting reflecting all receipts, disbursements, and distributions during the administration period; reviewed with successor trustee and transmitted to beneficiaries for approval.
Copy of Last Bank Account Statement (DOD)
Copy of Last Bank Account Statement (DOD)
Obtained and reviewed decedent's final bank account statement as of date of death; documented account balances for estate inventory and tax reporting purposes.
Copy of First Bank Account Statement
Copy of First Bank Account Statement
Obtained and reviewed first bank account statement for the trust's administration period; confirmed opening balances and initial account activity for accounting purposes.
Copy of All and Last Bank Account Statements
Copy of All and Last Bank Account Statements
Obtained and reviewed complete set of bank account statements for the full trust administration period through final distribution; reconciled account activity and confirmed closing balances.
Email to Client re: TA Tax Return / Final
Email to Client re: TA Tax Return / Final
Corresponded with successor trustee regarding preparation and filing of trust's final income tax return (Form 1041); coordinated with CPA; advised on final distribution timing and tax reporting obligations.
Receipt, Release, and Refunding
Receipt, Release, and Refunding
Prepared Receipt, Release, and Refunding Agreement for execution by beneficiaries; confirmed receipt of distribution, obtained release of all claims against trustee, and secured agreement to refund distributions in the event of subsequently discovered liabilities or obligations of the trust estate.