Probate & Trust Administration

The probate and trust administration practice at Berliner Cohen offers the broad expertise of the Firm’s attorneys in all areas of the law to provide the best representation possible for fiduciaries and beneficiaries in administering and effectuating estate plans. Our attorneys listen closely to our clients and always strive to be sensitive to their needs and concerns. 

Our attorneys represent trustees and executors in the administration of trusts and estates, including:

  • Full probate of decedent’s estate, and summary probate where available
  • Proper administration of trusts, including sub-trust funding, estate tax returns, settlement of account
  • Gifting programs, including formation of educational and irrevocable trusts
  • Planning for non-U. S. citizen clients, including the use of qualified domestic trusts
  • Implementation of living trusts, life insurance trusts and wills
  • Charitable gift planning and the organization and administration of charitable trusts
  • Distribution regarding tax planning and tax disputes
  • Fiduciary accountings
  • Estate administration questions
  • Environmental cleanup of properties in trusts or probate estates
  • Collection and allocation of trust assets
  • Leasing or sale of real property in trust
  • Disputes regarding trust assets, terms or liabilities

For more information, please contact Brian L. Shetler at brian.shetler@berliner.com.
Merced and Modesto: please contact Kevin Kelley, kevin.kelley@berliner.com.