Trust Administration

At Hilary Carter Law, we regularly work with trustees of revocable and irrevocable trusts to ensure that their administration of the trust complies with the terms of the trust instrument and applicable law.

Revocable Trusts

During the lifetime of the person who creates the revocable trust (called a “grantor” or "settlor") generally manages the trust. If a grantor becomes ill or incapacitated, the person designated in the trust instrument as successor trustee will take over the management of the revocable trust for the benefit of the grantor.

At the grantor’s death, the revocable trust becomes irrevocable. The trustee continues to administer the trust, taking those actions necessary to pay trust creditors, prepare the trust assets for transfer to the named beneficiaries and file required tax returns.

Irrevocable Trusts

Irrevocable trusts can be created during the grantor's lifetime or after the grantor's death. Some types of irrevocable trusts include:

  • Testamentary trusts created through the grantor's will
  • Trusts created at death through the grantor's (formerly) revocable
    trust
  • Tax planning trusts including bypass or credit shelter trusts
    and marital trusts
  • Intentionally defective grantor trusts ("IDGTs")
  • Charitable remainder trusts ("CRTs")
  • Qualified personal residence trusts (“QPRTs”)
  • Trusts for minors, disabled or incapacitated beneficiaries
  • Life insurance trusts (“ILITs”)
  • Special needs trusts

Trust Modification or Termination

Circumstances change and sometimes a trust instrument is not flexible enough to accommodate the necessary changes. We assist trustees and trust beneficiaries to modify trust terms or terminate a trust through non-judicial settlement agreements or court proceedings.