Legal Guidance for Successor Trustees & Beneficiaries on the Northshore
Trust administration is the legal process of managing and distributing a trust’s assets after the grantor dies or becomes incapacitated. It’s a distinct step from creating the trust, and it falls to the successor trustee, the person named to step in when the original trustee can no longer serve. Unlike a Louisiana succession proceeding, trust administration generally happens privately, without court supervision, governed by the trust document itself and the Louisiana Trust Code.
We handle trust administration for clients throughout St. Tammany Parish and Mandeville. Because our practice already covers estate planning, trusts, and successions, we work with families through the full life cycle of a trust, from drafting through the final distribution of assets.
If you’ve been named a successor trustee or you’re a beneficiary with questions about a trust, we can help. Call (985) 256-3553 to schedule a consultation in person or by phone, including same-day, evening, or weekend appointments when you need them.
What a Successor Trustee Is Responsible For
Taking on the role of successor trustee carries real legal obligations. Under the Louisiana Trust Code (Title 9, RS 9:1721 et seq.), a trustee must administer the trust solely in the interest of the beneficiaries. When multiple beneficiaries are involved, that means acting impartially based on what is fair and reasonable to all, unless the trust document directs otherwise.
The practical duties are substantial:
Asset inventory: Identify, locate, and take control of all trust property
Beneficiary notification: Inform beneficiaries of the trust’s existence, their interests, and their right to receive information
Records and accounting: Maintain accurate accounts throughout administration and provide annual accountings to beneficiaries
Investment management: Manage trust assets as a prudent person would, considering the trust’s purposes, distribution requirements, and the beneficiaries’ circumstances
Tax obligations: Handle any required federal estate or income tax filings tied to the trust
Distribution: Distribute assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the trust terms
Trustees who fall short of these duties face serious consequences: personal liability for breach of fiduciary duty, removal by court order, and surcharge liability for any losses caused. Keeping trust property separate from personal assets isn’t optional. Commingling is one of the most common and costly mistakes trustees make.
Why Trust Administration in Louisiana Requires an Attorney
Louisiana’s civil law tradition creates a legal framework for trusts that operates differently from every other state. The Louisiana Trust Code governs all private trusts formed here, and its requirements aren’t always intuitive for someone stepping into a trustee role for the first time. Most successor trustees are family members or close friends of the grantor, people who carry real emotional weight in this role and no prior experience navigating fiduciary obligations.
Errors in trust administration, including improper distributions, failure to account to beneficiaries, or mismanagement of assets, can trigger breach of fiduciary duty claims against the trustee personally. The 22nd Judicial District Court in St. Tammany Parish has jurisdiction over trust matters arising within the parish, including actions to enforce beneficiary rights or remove and replace a trustee. Addressing a dispute after the fact can cost far more than having an attorney involved from the start.
We represent both successor trustees who need guidance through their duties and beneficiaries who need to understand and protect their rights. Competing interests among beneficiaries, disagreements about distributions, and questions about how a trustee is managing assets are all situations where knowledgeable legal counsel can make a real difference. Our approach is practical: we help clients work through the legal requirements clearly so families can focus on what matters.
Serving St. Tammany Parish Families Through Every Stage
Lindsey S. Olsen is a lifelong Northshore resident and a member of the 22nd Judicial District Bar Association, which covers St. Tammany Parish. She holds a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution from the University of Missouri School of Law. She is also a Board Certified Family Law Specialist certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, a designation that reflects advanced legal experience and a demonstrated commitment to professional development across her practice.
Olsen Law Office was recognized in the 2026 Best of St. Tammany Awards by The Times-Picayune, and Lindsey was voted Gold Best Family Law Attorney in the 2025 Best of St. Tammany Awards. Clients who have worked with us through succession and estate matters describe a firm that communicates clearly, moves patiently through difficult situations, and helps families understand what’s happening at each step. That same approach carries into every trust administration matter we handle.
Clients work directly with one of our attorneys. There’s no handoff to a paralegal when questions get complicated, and no impersonal process for families navigating the loss of a loved one or a grantor’s incapacity.
Schedule a Trust Administration Consultation in St. Tammany Parish
Whether you’ve just been named a successor trustee or you’re a beneficiary trying to understand your rights, we’re ready to help you move forward. We serve clients throughout St. Tammany Parish and Mandeville and offer consultations in person or by phone. Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments are available on request.
Lindsey is a lifelong resident of the Northshore, having graduated from Fontainebleau High School. She then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University, and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. During her time spent at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, she was a student practitioner in the Family Law Section of the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice.
Lindsey has such a calm and empathetic demeanor. She offered so much emotional support for my family and I while remaining focused on our best interest at all times, she explains everything in detail, and is readily available to answer any of my questions. Lindsey is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and to the point. I am so grateful for her services.
Amanda
“She is very organized and efficient and clearly explained the final steps of the process.”
Lindsey Olsen provided an excellent service and put her vast knowledge of family and estate planning on full display. She is a true professional and made all of the concerning legal matters regarding our wills and continuing tutorship for our special needs son a walk in the park. She is very organized and efficient and clearly explained the final steps of the process. We enjoyed working with Lindsey and certainly recommend her to other prospective clients.
Lisa & Craig
“Proved to be reliable, trustworthy and honest.”
When my father passed away. We reached out to Lindsey Olsen to do his succession. It was a very difficult time for my mother, brother, and I. She was incredibly patient and professional. All our questions were answered and the process was as smooth as possible. She proved to be reliable, trustworthy and honest. We will definitely use her services again.
