California statutory law requires a trustee to account annually to current trust beneficiaries, i.e., those who are currently entitled to receive distributions of income and principal during the accounting period. Any trustee, other than the settlor(s) who established the trust, has a duty to account.
When someone goes through the process of probating an estate, this usually means that they will have to gather, manage, and distribute the deceased's assets. This process can take quite some time in a Texas probate. In fact, in most cases, the probate administration is never closed. The probate stays open indefinitely.
It informs the beneficiaries that the estate administration has been completed and all legal obligations, like taxes and debts, have been settled.
State laws typically govern the specific timeframe for keeping an estate open after death, but the average is about two years. The duration an estate remains open depends on how fast it goes through the probate process, how quickly the executor can fulfill their responsibilities, and the complexity of the estate.
Simple estates might be settled within six months. Complex estates, those with a lot of assets or assets that are complex or hard to value can take several years to settle. If an estate tax return is required, the estate might not be closed until the IRS indicates its acceptance of the estate tax return.
Below, we have broken the process down into manageable steps. Step 1: Start with a Proper Salutation. Step 2: Introduce Yourself and Your Relationship to the Deceased. Step 3: Clearly State the Purpose of the Letter. Step 4: Provide Detailed Information about the Inheritance.
Under California Probate Code §16062, trustees are obligated to account to each beneficiary annually, upon trust termination, and following a change in trustee. Additionally, if a beneficiary requests an accounting in writing, the trustee must provide it within 60 days.
Upon court motion: Beneficiaries can petition the court for a formal accounting; if the court grants the petition, the executor must provide one.