Managing High-Equity Assets in Royal Oaks & Amestoy Estates
Encino trust administration is high-stakes. Whether the trust holds a luxury contemporary in the Encino Hills or a multi-acre legacy property in Royal Oaks, the successor trustee carries significant personal liability. In 2025, with federal estate tax exemptions currently at $13.99 million per individual, trustees must also coordinate with tax professionals to ensure compliance with both California and Federal requirements.
As your Encino trust settlement lawyer, we provide the formal Trustee Accounting required to protect you from beneficiary disputes. In a market where a single error in asset valuation can lead to "surcharges"—where you are personally responsible for financial losses—having attorney-verified documentation is your primary defense.
Stanley Mosk Courthouse: Centralized Hub for Encino Filings
While trust administration is generally a private process, judicial intervention is often required to "rescue" assets. If a family home was never formally deeded into the trust, we can file a Heggstad Petition (Probate Code § 850). Following centralized 2025 LA County court rules, all Encino probate and trust petitions are heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (111 N. Hill St, Los Angeles). We handle all electronic filings and court appearances, saving local trustees from navigating the downtown probate division alone.
Prop 19 Defense for San Fernando Valley Legacies
In 2025, the Proposition 19 intergenerational transfer exclusion is a critical focus. For transfers between February 2025 and 2027, the exclusion amount is capped at $1,044,586 over the tax base. If a successor trustee fails to facilitate the child's residency requirement and the Assessor's filings within one year, an estate south of Ventura Boulevard could face a property tax reassessment jumping from $5,000 to over $30,000 annually. We manage these filings with the LA County Assessor to preserve your family's generational wealth.
Critical Deadlines for Encino Successor Trustees
| Action Required | Legal Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary Notice (16061.7) | 60 Days from Death | CA Probate Code |
| Notice to Medi-Cal (DHCS) | 90 Days from Death | Section 215 |
| Notice of Death to Assessor | 150 Days from Death | LA County Assessor |
| Prop 19 Exclusion Filing | 1 Year from Death | Residency Requirement |
Protecting Yourself from Fiduciary Liability
Successor trustees in Encino are held to a rigorous "Prudent Investor" standard. If you distribute assets too early, miss the Medi-Cal notification window, or fail to provide a formal trust accounting, beneficiaries can petition the court to "surcharge" you. Our firm acts as your legal shield, documenting every fiduciary step of the trust administration process to ensure your personal assets are never at risk.
Complete Encino Trust Administration Services
- 16061.7 Notice Preparation - Proper service to all beneficiaries
- High-Equity Appraisals - $1.5M to $3M+ property valuations
- Step-Up in Basis Documentation - Date of death values
- Stanley Mosk Court Filings - Heggstad, accountings, disputes
- Prop 19 Defense - LA County Assessor coordination
- Trust Tax Returns - Form 1041 and final 1040
- Formal Accountings - Protect against surcharge claims
- Asset Distribution - Final transfer to beneficiaries
