Springfield Probate & Trust Administration Attorneys

Full-Service Law Firm Serving Southwest Missouri

At Neale & Newman., we proudly represent clients who need help navigating probate and trust administration proceedings. We have a stellar reputation for providing a wide range of efficient, cost-effective legal services and for treating our clients with the respect and dignity they deserve during periods of mourning. 

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for Probate & Trust Administration?

Very few people who are named trustees and executors are familiar enough with this complicated area of law to successfully fulfill their responsibilities and administer a trust or an estate. In addition to guiding clients through each phase of the administration process, we also provide practical advice for protecting trusts and estates from creditors, required court filings, estate and income taxes, and other common issues that must be handled after the death of an individual.

Probate & Trust Litigation Services

Trustees and executors can sometimes find themselves facing claims filed by beneficiaries and creditors who have interest in the estate. Our litigation department at Neale & Newman. is equipped with the extensive resources and knowledge of the law that clients need to handle even the most complex claims. 

The responsibilities that come with administrating trusts and estates can be a tall order to take on all by yourself, especially if you are left to manage numerous assets that require regular attention. Luckily, we work closely with many of our estate planning clients for years or even decades, enabling us to prepare families and beneficiaries well in advance.

We handle the following trust and probate administration matters for clients in Springfield and across Southwest Missouri:

• Opening and Closing Probate
• Trust Modification 
• Trust Litigation
• Guardianships and Conservatorships
• Disputing Undue Influence Over a Will 
• Breaches of Fiduciary Duties by Trustees
• Will Contests 
• Estate Valuation

Role and Responsibilities of a Trust Administrator

A trust administrator is a person who has been given the power to act for another person and they are needed to ensure that a trust is followed. The trust administrator has a duty of care to beneficiaries of a trust. The responsibilities of a trust administrator varies, but they typically involve:

• Keeping the beneficiaries informed of how the assets are being managed
• Protecting the interests of the beneficiaries
• Filing income tax returns
• Keeping an eye on investments to ensure that they are benefitting the trust