Probate Estate and
Trust Administration

Last will and testament, pocket watch, fountain pen

Every year, thousands of families across Missouri find themselves trying to figure out what to do when a loved one passes away. It can seem like there are many more questions than answers and the first few weeks and months can be overwhelming. Hopefully, your family member had a Will, Trust, or other document to help guide you. But figuring out what to do next can be difficult, and knowing is half the battle.

When someone passes away without a Last Will and Testament, the state of Missouri governs what happens to their money, property, and personal items. The Court will appoint a person to act as Personal Representative (sometimes called an Executor) to work with banks, realtors, accountants, and other professionals to transfer the assets of the deceased to their natural heirs.

If the person who passed had a Last Will and Testament, that document will identify the Personal Representative and they, with Court oversight, will direct the distribution of the deceased’s assets to the persons or charities that the deceased named in their Will. Similarly, a Revocable or Irrevocable Trust will designate a person or company known as a Trustee to govern the distribution of assets pursuant to the terms contained in the Trust, usually without court supervision.

Finding an experienced attorney to assist with this process can take a weight off your shoulders. Evan Shoemaker regularly guides Personal Representatives, Executors, Trustees, and Beneficiaries through this difficult time. Whether providing a one-time family conference, years of trustee representation to navigate the distribution of a complex trust, or anything in between, Evan can help you and your family reach resolution as efficiently and quickly as possible.