Photo of Gary D. Rothstein

Gary Rothstein is a shareholder in the Firm’s Trust and Estates practice group.  His practice has focused on trust administration, probate matters, and estate planning since 1993. Gary represents corporate and individual fiduciaries and beneficiaries in all aspects of trust administration, including representing clients in connection with disputes between fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and creditors. He counsels fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and creditors through contested and uncontested probate and trust administration proceedings in Northern and Southern California Probate Courts.  His practice includes prosecution of will and trust contests, preparation and arguing of petitions for instructions, petitions for construction of trusts, and petitions for termination of trusts.

An essential aspect of estate planning is the Trustee, who will be tasked to carry out wishes. This is such an important role that potential Trustees are usually asked if they would be willing to take on the responsibility before being named in a Trust. Occasionally, however, Trustees are surprised to find that they have been named. Regardless of how the role comes to you, the Trustor (sometimes called “Settlor,” “Grantor,” or “Trustmaker”) trusted you and believed you to be responsible. Selection as Trustee is an honor, but attorneys know that it can be quite an undertaking.
Continue Reading So, You’re the Trustee of an Estate…Now What?