Complex financial situations often require sophisticated solutions. Oakworth’s experienced staff of fiduciary experts provides comprehensive trust and estate administration services. These include assisting with generational wealth transfers, providing invoice management strategies, coordinating the activities of other trusted advisors, overseeing governing documents, managing unique assets including timberland, and a host of other services we designed to make your financial life easier.
You focus on living your best life; we’ll take care of the rest.
Our Strategies
Personal Trust Services
Whether acting with full discretion or under directed guidance, we ensure that your financial and estate plans are executed in alignment with your goals and values.
- Full discretionary trustee services
- Directed trust services
- Investment Management
- Oversight of governing documents
- Invoice management strategies
- Asset preservation for future generations
- Fiduciary tax return filing
- Client advisor coordination
- Real estate management held in trust
Estate Administration
Appointing a trusted executor is essential to ensure your estate is managed efficiently, professionally, and with care. Our team handles all aspects of estate administration, regardless of size or complexity. From initiating and supervising the probate process to distributing assets and addressing tax obligations, we work diligently to carry out the terms of the will with precision and sensitivity. With a focus on accuracy and compassion, we aim to protect the interests of beneficiaries and provide peace of mind during what can be a challenging time. Services include:
- Initiating and supervising allowance of the will through the probate process
- Establishing and assessing the value of the estate
- Collecting estate assets, including those passing outside probate (e.g., jointly owned property, life insurance, and retirement benefits)
- Arranging payment of debts, funeral costs, administration expenses, and taxes
- Settling income, estate, and capital gains tax liabilities
- Preparing and filing state and federal estate tax returns with consideration for post-mortem tax planning
- Coordinating final income tax returns and fiduciary income tax returns with tax accountants
- Preparing comprehensive fiduciary and estate accounts
- Transferring legal title of assets to beneficiaries
- Implementing sophisticated estate plans
- Providing tax information to residuary beneficiaries
Escrow Agent
As an escrow agent, we ensure security and compliance, providing confidence to all parties throughout the process.
- Trusted third party
- Impartially carries out terms of the escrow agreement
- Responsible for disbursement of funds
Timber Asset Management
We utilize an open architecture approach to land and timber management. Based on the asset’s size, complexity and geography, Oakworth partners with landowners to vet a suitable manager our clients. While we do not have a dedicated Natural Resources Area, we partner with trusted experts to oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring the client’s holdings are managed effectively under Oakworth’s supervision.
- Establish an inventory and value of the land and timber
- Create a long-term Inventory Summary of the forest
- Create a 5-year Harvest Summary around long-term Inventory Summary
- Maintain a budget involving annual cash flows, forest related expenses, and current timber market conditions
- Provide periodic micro and macroeconomic developments of the timber industry
- Maintain Liability Insurance and Property & Casualty Insurance on trust-owned property
- Provide property tax payment administration
- Oversee minerals management
