Probate and Trusts

We'll Guide You Through Probate

Probate follows what is typically a painful emotional loss. The knowledgeable, meticulous probate attorneys at Smith Estates & Trusts, LLC have 75+ years of combined experience in probate law and know how to ease the stress of probate by guiding executors and beneficiaries through the complex process.

The Process of Probate

Most executors have rarely if ever probated a will and know little about the process. We can guide you through the complex probate process, including:

• Filing the will with the Missouri probate court
• Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously probating the estate
• Finding and collecting assets
• Closing and opening bank accounts
• Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
• Paying estate taxes
• Valuing, managing, preserving, and liquidating the estate
• Locating beneficiaries
• Hiring experts, when appropriate
  

Valuing and Managing the Estate

We assist executors with the arduous process of collecting, managing, valuing, protecting, and liquidating the assets of the estate. We have a team of experts available to assist in every aspect of estate probate. When appropriate, the firm calls upon accountants, financial advisors, real estate agents, property managers, and other professionals to assist with executor duties. We can access expert opinions about unique assets such as antiques, rare books, automobiles, and other collectibles for accurate valuation, management, and possible sale.

Missouri Trust Administration

Once a trust is established by a grantor, its operation must be overseen by a qualified administrator. This trustee manages the investment of funds and distribution of assets according to the grantor’s design contained in the trust’s documents. Trust administration requires careful attention to each detail of the grantor’s wishes. A conscientious trustee must have comprehensive knowledge of the law and be scrupulous regarding client service. With 75+ years of combined experience, the trust administration attorneys at Smith Estates & Trusts, LLC have provided highly ethical and reliable administration to a variety of trusts, maintaining the fiscal strength of these entities to serve beneficiaries through the intended life of the trust. We are available to provide administration services to new clients on a wide variety of trusts, including:

• Special Needs Trusts
• Credit Shelter Trusts (CST)
• Revocable Living Trusts
• Generation-Skipping Trusts
• QTIP Trusts
• Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

Advice to Trustees

A trustee can be personally liable for mistakes or omissions that result in losses for the trust. We offer sound advice to trustees to ensure accurate and complete compliance with all aspects of trust administration. If you have been named a trustee, we strongly recommend that you retain professional assistance from a trustworthy source. As an established law firm with a long record of success in trust administration in Missouri, we can help. Contact a reliable source for trust administration legal services.

To schedule your free initial consultation with Smith Estates & Trusts, LLC, call our St. Charles, Missouri office at (636) 949-3701.