Services Included in Base Package
Form 1041 & 541 (CA) Preparation
Complete federal and California trust tax return preparation with all required schedules
Schedule K-1 Preparation
Individual beneficiary tax documents prepared and distributed appropriately
Basic Asset Transfer Assistance
Guidance on proper asset titling and transfer procedures
Attorney Referrals
Connections to qualified estate attorneys when legal expertise is needed
Basic Accounting Reconciliation
Financial record organization and basic reconciliation (not court-qualified)
Beneficiary Notification & Tax Impact
General overview of tax implications and notification procedures
Investment & Pricing Structure
| Service | Investment |
|---|---|
| Base Service Package (up to 2 beneficiaries) | $1,250 |
| Each Additional Beneficiary | $150 |
| Additional Assets Beyond Basic Package* | Custom Quote |
| Multi-State Requirements | Custom Quote |
| Final Individual Tax Return (Recommended) | $750+ |
Our Process
Initial Client Call
Brief phone consultation to gather basic information about the death date, assets, beneficiaries, and existing professional team. We'll schedule your formal consultation appointment and send document preparation materials.
Formal Consultation Meeting
Comprehensive in-person, Zoom, or phone review of all documents and circumstances. We'll create an estimated timeline, provide final fee proposal, and execute our engagement agreement.
Professional Team Coordination
With your written permission, we coordinate with your attorney to align processes and timelines, ensuring all professionals work together effectively.
Document Organization & EIN Setup
We organize all provided documents, obtain necessary tax identification numbers, and begin preliminary preparation work while gathering any additional required information.
Tax Return Preparation & Filing
Complete preparation of Forms 1041, 541 (CA), K-1s, and any required final individual returns. Filing dates are determined based on specific circumstances and may range from 4-15 months from date of death.
Ongoing Support & Communication
Regular follow-up throughout the process with guidance on beneficiary inquiries, distribution timing, and best practices for trust administration.
Critical Do's and Don'ts for Trustees
These guidelines apply whether or not you engage our services. Following these principles will protect you legally and financially throughout the trust administration process.
✓ Essential DO's
- Assemble your professional team early: trustee, attorney, tax advisor, financial advisor
- Hold back sufficient funds for end-of-process expenses and final tax obligations
- Maintain detailed records of all transactions and communications
- Ask questions - you're not expected to know everything and shouldn't navigate this alone
- Consult with both attorney and tax advisor before making any distributions
- Keep beneficiaries informed of the process and timeline
✗ Critical DON'Ts
- DON'T distribute assets until consulting both attorney and tax advisor
- DON'T file the decedent's "final" personal return without consulting the trust tax preparer
- DON'T let beneficiaries determine the timing - you are in charge as trustee
- DON'T assume simple assets mean simple tax implications
- DON'T make decisions in isolation - always consult your professional team
- DON'T rush the process to appease impatient beneficiaries
Document Checklist
Don't worry if you don't have everything on this list initially. We'll help you gather items as you come across them and provide instructions on how to obtain missing documents.
🏛️ Essential Trust/Estate Documents
- Decedent's Death Certificate
- Trust Agreement or Will (full copy and amendments)
- Letters of Testamentary or Letters of Administration (Estate)
- Tax Identification Number (IRS Letter)
- Estate Inventory and Appraisal (Estate)
- Prior Year Trust/Estate Tax Returns (if applicable)
- Driver's License or photo ID of person in charge
💰 Financial Records
- All bank statements since date of death
- Investment and brokerage statements
- Property appraisals and real estate documents
- List of all distributions made (if applicable)
- Financial records for Trust/Estate accounts
👥 Beneficiary Information
- Complete list of beneficiaries
- Names, addresses, and Social Security numbers
- Relationship to decedent
- Contact information for all parties
📋 Final Individual Tax Return (if needed)
Income Documents:
- Form W-2 (Wages)
- Form 1099-R (Retirement, pension, IRA)
- Form 1099-SSA (Social Security)
- Form 1099-G (Unemployment, state refunds)
- Form 1099-INT (Interest income)
- Form 1099-DIV (Dividend income)
- Form 1099-B (Stock sales)
- Form 1099-S (Home sale)
- Self-employment forms (1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, K-1)
Deduction Documents:
- Form 1098 (Mortgage interest)
- Real estate tax payments
- Charitable donation records
- Medical, dental, prescription expenses
- Form 1095 (Covered California)
Communication & Professional Standards
Our Communication Policy
To protect all parties and maintain professional standards, our office communicates directly with:
- The party who initially notified us of the death
- The appointed Trustee or Estate Administrator
- Other parties only with written approval from the Trustee/Administrator
Service Standards & Expectations
- Upfront deposit required: All trust/estate work requires a signed engagement agreement and deposit to begin services
- No completion guarantees: Due to the detailed nature of estate administration, we cannot guarantee specific completion dates
- Accounting services limitation: Our reconciliation services are for tax preparation purposes and are not court-qualified accounting services
- Attorney coordination: We work closely with your legal team but recommend you maintain your own estate attorney throughout the process
Ready to Get Started?
Every trust situation is unique. Let's discuss your specific needs and provide you with a customized approach and final quote.
Schedule Your Initial ConsultationAvailable via Zoom or in-person
