Estate Probate & Trust Administration

The handling and administration of a decedent’s probate estate, non-probate estate, or trusts can be daunting and difficult.

The Personal Representative or Trustee faces a complex maze of rules, regulations and laws.

Assuming the appointment as the Personal Representative of an estate or as a Trustee of a trust is a serious undertaking and makes that person a fiduciary under the law. Understanding the duties and liabilities of acting as a fiduciary is the first step to successfully discharging those legal obligations to the state, the courts, and the beneficiaries.

Legal pitfalls confront the unwary fiduciary attempting to handle the estate or trust. What may seem like a common sense and compassionate decision to distribute assets in the short run can and too often does create problems with creditors, tax authorities, and the courts.

At Jim Rutledge Esq, we help our clients overcome these challenges by providing legal advice and guidance tailored to the specific needs of each estate or trust. Jim Rutledge brings decades of perspective in representing fiduciaries or beneficiaries. We welcome estates of all sizes, from the Small Estate to the Regular Estate, from estates with simple assets to those involving complex business interests.

In addition to serving as counsel to a Personal Representative or Trustee, Jim Rutledge serves as trustee or co-trustee of trusts, and has hands-on practical experience performing the tasks of trust administration, such as marshaling assets, resolving disputed claims, filing protective motions and petitions in court if needed, preparing periodic accountings, coordinating with CPAs and tax counsel to comply with fiduciary tax laws, and guiding the proper disbursement and distribution of funds.

Jim Rutledge stands ready to guide his clients through the challenges of the estate, probate, and trust administration.