What to Expect in the First 30 Days as a Trustee:
What the Professionals Don't Tell You
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Congratulations! You’ve just been named Successor Trustee.
This book is the practical, plain-English guide for the rest of us. Inside you’ll find:
A realistic day-by-day plan for the first 30 days so you know what actually needs attention (and what can wait until next month)
You don’t need to become an estate expert overnight. You just need a clear starting point and a few honest answers.
From “Wait… I’m in charge?” to “Okay, I’ve got this.” Your first 30 days start here.
What to Expect in the First 30 Days as a Trustee:
What the Professionals Don't Tell You
by Laura Elliott
First 30 Days as a Successor Trustee FREE Starter Kit
You are the Trustee of a Family Trust. Now What?
You’re suddenly the main character in the Family Estate drama. And while there’s no script, there is a timeline.
What does the first 30 days as a Trustee look like? What should I do first?
You don’t need to become an estate expert overnight. You just need a clear starting point and a few honest answers.
From “Wait… I’m in charge?” to “Okay, I’ve got this.” Your first 30 days start here.
I created a free 10-page STARTER KIT outlining the first 30 days and what to expect.
The Trustee's Guide to Trust Administration Book
Stepping into the role of Trustee can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can navigate the complexities of trust administration with confidence.
The Trustee's Guide to Trust Administration: Managing an Estate Trust with Confidence and Clarity is an essential resource for individuals appointed as Trustees of an Estate Trust in the United States.
What is the general timeline of the Trust execution process? How long will this process take? How do I communicate with advisors?
How do I manage the Trust's finances? How do I handle beneficiary relations?
What's the approach to distributing property and assets? How do I set up or modify my own trust?
Find Solutions!
One to One Meetings
Work with me
Trying to figure out everything about trust administration on your own can be incredibly isolating.
It feels like a burden only you can carry, and finding reliable answers can be a huge challenge. But here's the secret: you don't have to go it alone. Imagine having a trusted guide by your side, connecting you with the right experts and providing clear, actionable advice whenever you need it.
Services include basic education on trust execution and one-on-one sessions to discuss your unique situation, completely confidential.
Work with me one to one.
I'm Laura and I will guide you through the essential duties of a Trustee and empower you to honor your family's legacy without the stress.
If you’ve been named a Trustee, you’re likely searching for answers to questions like: What does a Trustee actually do? How long does the trust administration process take? How do I avoid family conflicts?
While attorneys handle the legal paperwork, I help the 70% of trustees who struggle with the actual day-to-day administration of the estate. I empower affluent women to move from confusion to clarity by mastering the "human" side of the job—from beneficiary communication to hiring the right professionals. I am not an attorney or a CPA, I share my experiences.
I have been there.
Success Stories
Before I started working with Laura, I felt overwhelmed with all the confusing aspects of executing a trust. My mom had just died after a long illness. The guidance and support I received made things so much easier. I was able to use the time on the attorney's billing clock very efficiently.
Caroline D.
I met Laura when I almost backed into her car at a gas station. I was so distracted with my mom's recent death, that I was not paying attention. When I got out of the car to apologize, she was so gracious. I explained why I was distracted and she gave me her card, told me that what she does: helps people organize estates and deal with all the non-legal stuff. And there was a lot of non legal issues. Family in-fighting about money, I didn't have an attorney that was familiar with the estate. I didn't know what to tackle first. Laura helped me prioritize the most important things.
Daniel S.
I was at a point of extreme frustration. My father died suddenly, and I was appointed the executor of his Trust. I was a working, single mom with a child, grieving the loss of my dad, and I was completely lost about where to even begin. You don't know what you don't know. Laura provided me with tools, resources, and advice from her experiences to help me facilitate the trust and to finish my role as a daughter strong.
Dana P.
Blog posts
"How long is this going to take?"
Most Trustees have a job, family, and a life, when someone close to them dies and they are appointed the Trustee. After final arrangements, the first 30 days are the busiest. If your loved one didn't have things organized, you will tackle that first. Then meeting with the estate attorney (or hiring one) and the tax accountant. Any messy issues from missing documents to frantic beneficiaries to monthly bills will emerge during this time. You can delegate to relatives and turn a lot over to the attorney and accountant. Which is great!But the first 30 days as a Trustee is spent gathering documents and accounts and filing paperwork. Basically compiling a complete inventory of debts, assets, bills, and property.
March 2026
"Can I be paid for this?"
Yes, you can be paid to administrate a Trust. The scope of pay, reimbursement for expenses, any educational expenses, and any travel expenses will be outlined in the Trust document and state law. So ask your estate attorney. In most Trust documents, the Trustee is the overall administrator, tasked with doing what is directed by the Grantor. Just like an attorney or accountant would get paid for their tasks relating to the legal and accounting aspects of the Trust process, you can get paid. However, for transparency and legal liability, make sure to document everything and have a set timeline for when you bill the Trust and get paid. I would suggest clearly outline to beneficiaries what you are doing, the time, travel, and energy involved, so they understand exactly how much you are really doing. This is a part-time or full-time job for a while. If you are doing it, it is probably way less an hour than what the attorney would charge for non-legal tasks.
November 2025
FAQS
Why Trustee Guidance?
Streamline this process in the time it takes to drink your morning cup of coffee. Ok, maybe two cups.
My resources and experience can help you organize paperwork and communicate efficiently with all your advisors. The Trustee Guidance Coaching Program is designed to assist Trustees with common pitfalls, fast track asset and expense organization with useable tools. Plus learn how to best communicate with professional advisors and beneficiaries.
Trustee Guidance vs. Estate Attorney or Tax Accountant
But, Laura, the estate attorney will handle everything.
While estate attorneys, tax attorneys and accountants play critical roles in navigating the legal complexities of estate and tax matters, they do not handle every aspect of estate settlement. Trustees are responsible for gathering necessary documentation, managing assets, paying bills, and communicating with various professionals, including estate and tax attorneys.
My comprehensive approach helps alleviate the stress of managing various responsibilities and ensures a smoother, more efficient process, avoiding common pitfalls.
Family members and beneficiaries will back you 100% in every decision you make, because you are in charge of the Trust.
In reality, executing and managing a Family Trust can often lead to disagreements among loved ones, especially during an emotionally-charged time. Differing opinions, personal interests, and misunderstandings about the Trust Grantor's intentions can all contribute to tensions.
Trustee Guidance's Coaching Program provides practical strategies and empathetic support to help Trustees manage family dynamics effectively. My services assist with clear communication, transparency, and conflict resolution, ensuring that you can honor your loved one’s legacy while maintaining family harmony.
Disclaimer:
Trustee Guidance does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. The materials provided have been prepared for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Clients should consult their own tax, legal and accounting advisors before applying the laws to their particular situations or engaging in any transaction.
