What Our Estate and Trust Administration Services Include

Estate and trust administration represents the final — and arguably most important — phase of the estate planning process. At Elville and Associates, we manage every step:

• Asset identification and gathering — locating bank accounts, investments, real estate, and personal property held in the trust
• Beneficiary notification — ensuring all named beneficiaries and required government entities are properly informed
• Debt, expense, and tax resolution — settling final bills, outstanding obligations, and applicable estate tax elections
• Asset distribution — transferring assets to beneficiaries exactly as the trust instructs, including Legacy Trusts, grandchildren's education trusts, and surviving spouse provisions
• Special needs beneficiary protection — ensuring inheritances are structured to preserve eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other essential benefits
• Successor trustee guidance — walking first-time trustees through their responsibilities with clear, step-by-step counsel

We also advise surviving family members on their own estate plans and the choices available to them, including the exercise of powers of appointment — a step most families never realize they need.

Why Columbia Families Choose Elville and Associates

Depth of knowledge. Managing Principal Stephen R. Elville, J.D., LL.M., earned both his LL.M. and Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He has been selected to the Maryland Super Lawyers list 11 times and is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court.

A full team committed to your matter. Our attorneys — including Shannon Ladner, J.D., Justin M. Ginsburg, J.D., LL.M., Sara von Stein Echeverria, J.D., and Nick Carpenter, J.D. — bring focused knowledge to every administration matter. You are never passed off to someone unfamiliar with your family's plan.

Continuity you can count on. Because Elville and Associates often drafted the original estate plan, we understand the grantor's intent from the inside out. Our transparent firm succession plan means your family will always have experienced counsel available — now and in the future.

Community investment. Stephen Elville founded the Elville Center for the Creative Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit expanding music education access for children in the Baltimore area. His leadership includes serving as past Chair of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the Maryland State Bar Association and past President of the Coalition of Geriatric Services.

What Clients Are Saying

"Elville and Associates have been outstanding! They have handled estate planning, special needs issues, and a complex process involving Social Security disability. The Client Care program is very beneficial — leaving us with the feeling that we have a partner, not simply an attorney."
— Bob S.

"We were not disappointed! We elected to have a Living Trust instead of a will and also set up a special needs trust for our son."
— John H., Columbia, MD

How the Process Works

• Schedule a consultation — Contact our Columbia office or reach us at 443-339-5638
• Review your trust documents — We analyze the trust, identify all assets, and clarify your responsibilities
• Develop a clear action plan — We map out every required step, deadline, and notification
• Execute administration — We handle filings, transfers, tax elections, and beneficiary distributions
• Close the trust — We ensure every provision of the trust has been fully and correctly carried out

Frequently Asked Questions

What is estate and trust administration?
Estate and trust administration is the legal process of carrying out the terms of a trust or estate after the trust grantor or decedent passes away. It involves gathering assets, notifying beneficiaries, settling debts, paying applicable taxes, and distributing assets according to the trust document and Maryland law.

Do I need an attorney to administer a trust in Maryland?
Maryland law does not require an attorney for trust administration, but the process involves critical deadlines, legal filings, and financial decisions. Errors can expose a trustee to personal liability. Working with a trust administration attorney significantly reduces that risk.

Does a living trust avoid probate in Maryland?
A properly funded revocable living trust generally avoids probate for the assets it holds. However, the trust itself still requires formal administration — the assets do not distribute themselves automatically after death.

What is a successor trustee responsible for?
A successor trustee is responsible for managing and distributing trust assets according to the trust document, notifying beneficiaries, paying debts and taxes, and following all applicable Maryland laws. This role carries legal and fiduciary duties that can be complex, especially for first-time trustees.

How long does trust administration take in Maryland?
The timeline varies depending on the size of the estate, the complexity of assets, and whether disputes arise. A straightforward trust may be administered within several months; more complex estates can take a year or longer. Acting quickly to meet legal deadlines matters from day one.

Does estate administration involve the courts in Maryland?
Trust administration is generally a private process that does not require court supervision. However, if assets fall outside the trust and must pass through probate, the Howard County Orphans' Court — located in Ellicott City — may be involved for those specific assets.

Serving Columbia and Howard County, Maryland

Elville and Associates is located in the Columbia Gateway area of Columbia, MD, at the heart of Howard County. We regularly assist families throughout Columbia's villages — including Town Center, River Hill, Long Reach, and Hickory Ridge — as well as clients across the broader Maryland and Northern D.C. region. Whether your matter involves the Howard County courts, Maryland Medicaid coordination, or multi-state assets, our team is prepared to help.

We also work closely with related legal matters including elder law planning, special needs planning, guardianship, fiduciary representation, and estate and trust litigation when disputes arise.

Ready to Get Your Loved One's Estate Handled Correctly?

Estate and trust administration is too important to navigate alone. Deadlines pass quickly, and mistakes can affect every beneficiary. The attorneys at Elville and Associates are ready to guide your family through every step of the process — with the thoroughness and care your loved one's legacy deserves.

Schedule your free estate planning consultation today. Contact us online or call 443-339-5638 to speak with a member of our Columbia, MD team. We are here to help.