Ty Shepard

Probate and trust administration for executors and successor trustees in Huntsville and North Alabama.

Being named executor or successor trustee can leave you responsible for property, deadlines and family questions while you are also dealing with a loss. An estate may include a house to sell, a family business or a trust that needs to be administered alongside the will.

As a Huntsville probate attorney, I represent executors named in a will through Alabama probate and advise successor trustees on trust administration. At Sparkman, Shepard & Shepard, LLC in downtown Huntsville, I help executors and trustees administer estates and trusts in Huntsville and North Alabama, including Madison, Limestone, Morgan, Marshall and Jackson counties.

Probate for Executors Named in a Will

Your first consultation is with me. My probate work includes filing the will and petition for letters testamentary, notices, inventories where required, creditor questions, distributions and closing the estate. When real estate needs to be sold, we confirm whether court approval is needed before the house is listed.

When an estate includes a family business or LLC, we read the will and the business documents together to confirm what authority you have, and we help you work with co-owners or managers. Where assets pass through both probate and a trust, the two administrations need to move together. If you have just learned you are the executor, start with what an executor does in Alabama and how long probate takes.

Trust Administration for Successor Trustees

I advise successor trustees from accepting the role to the final distribution. The work can include identifying trust assets, preparing beneficiary notices, handling real estate, preparing accountings and planning distributions. I also coordinate with your CPA on the trust's tax identification number and fiduciary income tax returns. If you have just been named, start with what to do first as a successor trustee.

You remain the trustee and make the trustee's decisions; we advise you and handle the legal work. We do not serve as executor or trustee ourselves, and we do not take contested matters as new cases.

Estate Planning With Probate in Mind

My probate and trust work shapes the way I approach estate planning. I see where plans break down after a death, such as an account that was never moved into the trust or an executor without the power the estate needs. I also help families plan ahead with that in mind.

Read about Sarah S. Shepard, who leads the firm's estate planning, and our estate planning work.

Contact our office about an estate or trust to arrange a consultation with me.