What is Trust Administration in California and How Does it Affect Real Estate?
Trust administration is the process of managing and distributing the assets of a revocable living trust after the grantor's death. When a trust holds real property, the successor trustee is responsible for managing that property during the administration period, deciding whether to sell or distribute it, and executing the sale or transfer according to the trust's instructions. Unlike probate, trust administration happens outside of court, the trustee has authority to sell real property as soon as they establish their authority through a Certification of Trust.
Going Deeper
Trust administration typically takes 6-12 months from the grantor's death to final distribution. The real property sale is usually the largest single transaction in the administration and the source of most of the estate's distributable value. Getting this step right, choosing the right agent, pricing correctly to meet fiduciary standards, and closing efficiently, has a direct impact on what beneficiaries ultimately receive.
Wolf Allies connects trustees, executors, and families with agents who have deep experience in California trust, probate, and estate property sales, at no cost to you.
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