Trust Administration Support

Why Firms Choose This Service

  • Bandwidth relief: I handle the time-consuming administration so attorneys and associates can stay focused on higher-level work.

  • Profit-friendly: All work is billable as paralegal time, protecting margins you’d lose to CPA outsourcing.

  • Proven expertise: 200+ administrations, from basic family trusts to estates over $50M.

What I Deliver

  • Trust Types: Revocable & irrevocable trusts (A/B/C), special needs trusts (SNTs), insurance trusts (ILITs), charitable trusts (CRUTs/CRATs), GST trusts, subtrust allocations and funding.

  • Administration Support: Transfer and distribution documents, deeds and allocation schedules, small estate affidavits, funding schedules, trust accountings, coordination with CPAs for compliance (EINs, 1041, K-1).

  • Valuation Coordination: Real property appraisals, business interest valuations, fractional interest valuations.

Pricing Options

  • Hourly: $150–$175 (depending on complexity)

  • Flat-Fee Packages: Available for common administration tasks (see package details).

  • Retainer Models: For firms with recurring trust administration needs.

Note: Highly complex or unusual administrations may be billed hourly or priced as part of a custom engagement.

Trust administration can overwhelm even the most efficient firms. From routine family trusts to estates exceeding $50 million, I take on the technical and organizational workload so your attorneys can focus on strategy and client relationships.

With 200+ administrations completed, I deliver organized, accurate, attorney-ready support that keeps matters moving efficiently and profitably.

Flat-Fee Packages:

  • A full-service flat-fee engagement covering the entire lifecycle of a standard trust administration from post-death compliance through final distribution.

    Scope of services typically includes:

    • Beneficiary notifications and statutory compliance

    • EIN application and successor trustee accounts

    • Asset inventory, coordination of valuations, and trust recordkeeping

    • Ongoing support for trustee in managing expenses and distributions

    • Fiduciary accountings (1–2 standard accountings over 12–24 months)

    • Coordination with CPA for fiduciary income tax filings

    • Coordination with CPA for estate tax return (if applicable)

    • Final wrap-up, including closing accountings, receipts/releases, and distributions

    Standard Trust Admin → $6,000 (≈ 40 hrs @ $150)

  • High-value and multi-beneficiary trusts often involve complicated distribution plans, unusual assets, and heightened risk for errors. I provide specialized paralegal support to manage every stage of complex administrations efficiently and accurately, always under attorney supervision.

    Services include:

    • Subtrust allocations and funding (A/B/C, GST, marital, bypass, ILITs, CRUTs/CRATs, etc.)

    • Fractional interest distributions and detailed allocation schedules

    • Parent–child property tax exclusion tracking and related documentation

    • Preparation of transfer documents and distribution deeds

    • Trust accountings

    • Coordination of valuations and appraisals for real property, business interests, and other unique assets

      Complex Trust Admin → $14,000 (≈ 80 hrs @ $175)

  • The initial (first 90 days) phase of a trust administration is often the most intense period of work, and this a great standalone option for firms who want a strong start.

    Scope of services typically includes:

    • File notices of death & initial communications

    • Inventory & marshal assets (accounts, deeds, insurance, etc.)

    • Order appraisals as needed

    • Prepare initial allocation summaries (but not final funding)

    • Track deadlines (taxes, notices, creditor claims)

    • Set up trust administration binder/file system

      Initial Trust Admin → $3,500-$7,000 (≈ 20-40 hrs @ $175)

  • By preparing clear accountings, distribution documents, and releases in attorney-ready form, I help ensure the final phase of the trust administration is completed cleanly, compliantly, and with reduced risk for the trustee.

    Scope of services typically includes:

    • Prepare fiduciary accountings

    • Draft distribution documents, receipts, and releases

    • Coordinate final tax filings (with CPA, if applicable)

    • Document compliance for trustee discharge

    • Close out subtrusts

    Final Distribution Admin → $3,500-$7,000 (≈ 20-40 hrs @ $175)
    (Complex distributions with multiple beneficiaries or subtrusts may be more extensive in scope.)

Streamline trust administration, keep it profitable in-house, and free your attorneys for higher-value work.

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