Trust attorneys · Coral Gables & Miami-Dade
Trust Administration Guidance for Florida Trustees
Serving as trustee is a serious responsibility. We guide trustees through their duties under Florida law, from the first notices to final distribution, so the trust is administered correctly and beneficiaries stay informed.
✓ Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates attorney on our team✓ Guidance for individual & professional trustees✓ Clear updates at every step
Talk with our trust team
Tell us a little about the trust and we will reach out to schedule your consultation.
What trust administration involves
When the person who created a revocable trust passes away, the trust becomes irrevocable and the successor trustee takes over. A properly funded trust avoids probate, but it does not administer itself. The trustee must follow the trust terms and the Florida Trust Code.
Trustees owe duties of loyalty, prudence and impartiality to the beneficiaries, and can be held personally liable for mistakes. We help trustees understand those duties and carry them out with confidence.
Required notices to qualified beneficiaries
Notice of trust filed with the court
Identify, value and manage trust assets
Pay valid debts, expenses and taxes
Trust accountings and beneficiary reporting
Distribute assets and close the trust
How we help trustees and beneficiaries
Trust administration can be simple or complex depending on the trust, the assets and the family. We tailor our help to your situation.
Trustee Duties
We explain what the trust requires, what Florida law requires and how to avoid common mistakes.
Notices and Filings
We prepare the notices to beneficiaries and the notice of trust filed with the court.
Asset Management
We help trustees secure, value and invest trust assets prudently, working with your advisors.
Real Estate and Homestead
We handle Florida real property held in trust, including homestead issues and sales.
Taxes and Accountings
We coordinate trust income tax returns, estate tax filings and the accountings beneficiaries are entitled to.
Beneficiary Questions
We help trustees communicate clearly with beneficiaries and resolve concerns before they become disputes.
Discover
Tell us about the trust, the trustee and the assets involved.
Evaluate
We review the trust terms and map out the trustee’s duties and timeline.
Administer
We guide the trustee from first notices to final distribution.
Trust administration without probate court
Most trust administration happens outside of court, which keeps it private and usually faster than probate. That also means the trustee carries the responsibility for getting it right. Having experienced counsel at the start helps trustees meet their deadlines and protect themselves from later claims.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. For advice about your situation, schedule a consultation.
Do I have to notify the beneficiaries?
Yes. Florida law requires a trustee to give certain notices to qualified beneficiaries, generally within 60 days after accepting the trusteeship or after the trust becomes irrevocable.
Can I be a trustee and a beneficiary?
Yes, and it is common. A trustee who is also a beneficiary still owes duties to the other beneficiaries and must treat them fairly.
Does a trust need to go through probate?
Assets properly titled in the trust generally pass without probate. Assets left outside the trust may need a probate administration, often through a pour-over will.
Is the trustee paid?
Florida law allows a trustee reasonable compensation unless the trust says otherwise. Many family trustees choose to waive it.
