High-Equity Administration: Santa Anita Oaks & Baldwin Stocker
Arcadia real estate represents significant multi-generational wealth. Whether the trust property is a historic estate near the Arboretum or a modern luxury residence in Highland Oaks, the fiduciary stakes are immense. As your Arcadia trust administration lawyer, we ensure that your Step-up in Basis appraisals are documented correctly to eliminate future capital gains taxes—a critical step when dealing with $1.5M+ property appreciation.
Many Arcadia families also possess international assets or multi-jurisdictional business interests. We specialize in coordinating your California trust settlement with global holdings, ensuring that you fulfill your fiduciary duty to collect and secure all trust property, whether it is local real estate or foreign financial accounts.
Judicial Hub: The Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Trust administration is intended to be handled outside of court. However, if an Arcadia family home was never formally deeded into the trust, or if a beneficiary files a challenge, the case moves to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (111 N. Hill St, Los Angeles). We handle all Heggstad Petitions (Probate Code § 850) at this centralized location, allowing us to "rescue" Arcadia real estate and move it back into the trust without the delay of a full probate.
Prop 19 Defense: Protecting Arcadia Property Tax Bases
Under California Proposition 19, property tax preservation has become a high-priority trustee duty. If you are administering a trust with a primary residence in Lower Rancho or Santa Anita Village, you must navigate strict residency and filing deadlines. If a child does not move into the property within 12 months, the tax base will be reassessed to current market value—potentially adding $20,000+ to the annual tax bill. We manage all exclusion filings with the Los Angeles County Assessor to ensure your family's legacy is protected.
Successor Trustee Statutory Deadlines (2025)
| Trustee Action | Legal Deadline | Filing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary Notice (16061.7) | 60 Days from Death | Heirs & Heirs-at-Law |
| Notice to Medi-Cal (DHCS) | 90 Days from Death | Dept. Health Services |
| Notice of Death of Owner | 150 Days from Death | LA County Assessor |
| Inventory & Appraisals | Ongoing (ASAP) | Date of Death Value |
| Prop 19 Exclusion Form | 1 Year from Death | LA County Assessor |
Protecting Yourself from Fiduciary Liability
Successor trustees in Arcadia are often held to a "Prudent Investor" standard. Mistakes in the trust administration process—such as improper accounting or commingling of funds—can lead to "surcharges" where you are personally liable for damages. We act as your legal shield, providing formal Trustee Accountings that satisfy beneficiary transparency requirements and protect your personal assets while you fulfill your role.
Complete Arcadia Trust Administration Services
- 16061.7 Notice Preparation - Proper service to all beneficiaries
- International Asset Coordination - Global holdings management
- Step-Up in Basis Appraisals - Date of death valuations
- Stanley Mosk Court Filings - Heggstad, accountings, disputes
- Prop 19 Defense - LA County Assessor coordination
- Trust Tax Returns - Form 1041 and final 1040
- Formal Accountings - Protect against surcharge claims
- Asset Distribution - Final transfer to beneficiaries


