Although trust administration is not a court-supervised process, it requires a thorough understanding of the complex financial issues involved, in order to ensure that the terms of the trust are carried out as intended. Morrill Law routinely works with trustees to expertly handle the myriad responsibilities associated with administering a trust, including sending statutory notices, identifying and taking inventory of trust property, paying debts, organizing trust assets for distribution, identifying heirs and beneficiaries, paying taxes, and distributing the assets of the trust to the beneficiaries.

Conservatorships are an important tool to help protect an individual who no longer has the mental or physical ability to manage their own healthcare or finances, which may make them especially vulnerable to fraud or undue influence. In most cases, a family member or friend may ask the court to appoint a trusted person to manage the individual’s affairs and establish a conservatorship.

Conservatorships are often utilized for the elderly, but can also be helpful for adults of any age who have suffered an illness or injury that impacts their ability to care for themselves, or for individuals dealing with severe mental illness or physical disabilities. A guardianship creates a unique legal relationship between a child and a guardian. Unlike adoption, guardianships preserve the legal relationship between the child and his or her natural parents.

The role of a fiduciary in administering a trust is important and, depending on the issues involved in the trust, can also be complicated. A private professional fiduciary may be appointed to replace a designated Trustee when improprieties occur or when disagreements arise among Co-Trustees.

Morrill Law routinely represents and advises private professional fiduciaries in contested trust and probate administrations, conservatorships and guardianships of the estate or person.

Everyone needs an estate plan. Creating a will or trust is only part of the planning process. Many other issues should also be considered in order to fully address your estate planning needs, including financial, tax, medical, and business planning.

An estate plan will effectively manage your property and assets while you are living and can be updated as needed and circumstances change. The plan will arrange for the passing of your property and assets to your family and/or selected beneficiaries upon your death. Planning your estate may involve making gifts and buying insurance, and creating a will, living trust, health care directives, durable power of attorney for finances, and other essential documents.

A comprehensive estate planning will help you determine:

• How and by whom your assets will be managed for your benefit during your lifetime, if you become unable to manage them yourself.
• When and under what circumstances your assets may be distributed during your lifetime.
• How and to whom your assets will be distributed after your death.
• How and by whom your personal care will be managed and how health care decisions will be made, if you become unable to care for yourself.
• Who will handle your property, assets, and affairs after your death.