A pour-over will is a key document in many California estate plans that works with a revocable living trust to ensure any assets not already placed into the trust are transferred at death. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we help clients in Hermosa Beach and throughout Los Angeles County understand how a pour-over will fits into a comprehensive plan that may include a living trust, powers of attorney, health care directives, and trust certifications. This introduction explains the basic purpose and practical benefits of a pour-over will and how it supports orderly asset transition under California law.
Many clients choose a pour-over will to simplify the process of moving assets into a trust after death, protecting privacy and reducing administrative complexity for heirs. A pour-over will serves as a safety net to capture any property accidentally left out of the trust, ensuring it is poured into the trust for distribution according to the trust terms. We discuss how this document complements pour-over mechanisms like pour-over wills paired with trust funding tools and related documents such as a certification of trust, HIPAA authorization, and guardianship nominations where appropriate for family planning needs.
A pour-over will provides peace of mind by ensuring that assets not formally transferred into a trust during life are moved into the trust following death. This arrangement helps preserve the intent of the overall estate plan without requiring every asset to be individually titled in trust during the grantor’s lifetime. For families in Hermosa Beach and nearby communities, a pour-over will can prevent unintended intestacy, preserve privacy compared to probate proceedings, and coordinate with related estate planning documents to streamline administration. We explain how this document functions alongside a living trust, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives to form a comprehensive plan.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offers estate planning services to clients across California, including residents of Hermosa Beach. Our approach focuses on practical planning that reflects each client’s goals for asset protection, family care, and legacy. We prepare documents such as revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, advance health care directives, financial powers of attorney, and other trust instruments that help families manage transitions efficiently. We also assist with trust-related petitions and paperwork like Heggstad or trust modification petitions when adjustments are needed to keep plans aligned with changing circumstances.
A pour-over will acts as a catchall device that directs any assets not already titled in a trust to be transferred into that trust after the testator’s death. California estate law recognizes pour-over wills when paired with an existing revocable living trust, allowing assets to pour into the trust for distribution under its terms. While a pour-over will typically still must go through probate to transfer title, it protects the grantor’s overall intent and consolidates distribution through the trust. We explain how naming a trustee, coordinating beneficiary designations, and providing accurate property lists can reduce administrative delays and help heirs navigate the process more smoothly.
A pour-over will does not eliminate the need for careful planning during life; funding the trust while living reduces probate and simplifies administration. Nevertheless, the pour-over will provides a safety valve for assets unintentionally omitted from the trust. It is important to coordinate this document with beneficiary designations on retirement plans, payable-on-death accounts, and life insurance policies to ensure consistent results. We also describe how to prepare supporting documents like a general assignment of assets to trust, certification of trust, and pour-over wills that reflect the client’s wishes and minimize uncertainty for surviving family members.
A pour-over will is a testamentary instrument that directs remaining probate assets to a separate trust for distribution according to trust terms. Its primary function is to capture assets that were not placed into a trust before death, consolidating administration under the trust’s provisions. While it does not avoid probate for those specific assets, it ensures consistency in distribution and supports a single plan for heirs. This document is often used with a pour-over trust arrangement so that the trustee can collect and manage those assets alongside trust property, reducing fragmentation of estate administration and aligning outcomes with the grantor’s intentions.
A valid pour-over will typically names the testator, identifies the trust receiving the assets, appoints an executor, and states the intention that remaining assets be transferred into the trust. Additional steps include verifying the trust document, listing known assets, and preparing a certification of trust to present to financial institutions. When the testator dies, the executor opens probate for assets passing under the will, then transfers them into the trustee’s control for distribution under the trust. Preparing clear instructions and maintaining up-to-date trust funding during life reduces probate work and helps beneficiaries understand what to expect.
Understanding commonly used terms helps people navigate estate planning decisions. Terms like grantor, trustee, beneficiary, probate, pour-over will, revocable living trust, and certification of trust appear frequently when discussing pour-over wills. Knowing these definitions clarifies responsibilities and processes that follow a death. We provide layperson-friendly explanations to help clients in Hermosa Beach and surrounding areas make informed choices about trust funding, beneficiary designations, and the documents they need to assemble so that a pour-over will can achieve its intended purpose with minimal confusion for surviving family members.
Grantor refers to the individual who creates a trust and transfers assets into it during life. In the context of a pour-over will the grantor is the person whose trust receives assets poured over at death. A grantor retains the right to amend or revoke a revocable living trust during lifetime, and their clear instructions in both the trust and will determine how assets are managed and distributed. It is important for the grantor to keep trust paperwork current and to fund the trust where practical to avoid unnecessary probate administration after death.
Executor is the individual appointed by a will to manage the deceased’s estate through probate. When a pour-over will is used, the executor is responsible for identifying assets subject to the will, initiating probate processes where needed, and transferring those assets into the trust so the trustee can manage and distribute them. The executor’s role includes gathering debts, paying valid claims and taxes, and communicating with beneficiaries to ensure an orderly transition. Choosing an executor who is organized and reliable makes the probate-to-trust transfer smoother for surviving family members and trustees.
Trustee is the person or entity responsible for managing trust assets and carrying out the terms of the trust after the grantor’s death or incapacity. For assets transferred by a pour-over will, the trustee collects those assets and administers them under the trust’s provisions for distribution to beneficiaries. Trustees have fiduciary obligations to act in the beneficiaries’ best interests and follow the terms of the trust document. Clear powers granted in the trust, such as authority to sell property or make distributions, help trustees manage poured-over assets efficiently and in keeping with the grantor’s wishes.
Probate is the court-supervised process for administering a deceased person’s estate when assets are distributed under a will. A pour-over will often requires probate for assets not previously placed into a trust so that title can be transferred to the trustee. While probate procedures ensure valid debts are paid and property is transferred lawfully, they can take time and require public filings. Many clients use living trusts and pour-over mechanisms to reduce the assets that must go through probate, though some probate is still typical for assets discovered after death or for items that cannot be directly titled in the trust before death.
When evaluating estate planning options, it helps to compare the benefits of a living trust, a standalone will, and a pour-over will paired with a trust. A living trust can enable management of assets during incapacity and minimize probate but requires active funding. A will governs distribution of probate assets and can name guardians for minor children. A pour-over will bridges gaps by directing leftover probate assets into an established trust. Deciding among these options involves weighing privacy, probate avoidance, administrative ease, and cost, and often a combination of documents produces the most practical outcome for families.
For individuals with modest assets and up-to-date beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, a basic will sometimes provides an adequate framework for post-death distribution. If there are few assets that will pass through probate and family relationships are straightforward, a simple will can name beneficiaries and an executor, and handle guardianship nominations for minor children. Even when relying on a straightforward will, it is important to confirm account designations and document intentions to reduce disputes. We help clients understand whether limited planning will meet their goals or whether additional measures are advisable.
When family structures are uncomplicated and assets will largely transfer by beneficiary designation or survivor rights, a limited estate plan may be appropriate. In such circumstances, the administrative burden and expense of a funded living trust may not be warranted. A will that covers residue, guardianship nominations, and specific bequests may be sufficient. However, clients should consider how property titled jointly, retirement accounts, and real property will transfer and whether a pour-over will would add a layer of protection to ensure consistency with broader planning goals if assets remain outside of designated accounts.
Complex estates, blended families, special needs beneficiaries, or business interests often require a more thorough planning approach. A revocable living trust coordinated with a pour-over will can help manage the transfer of diverse assets while providing instructions for trustees and beneficiaries. Additional trust instruments such as irrevocable life insurance trusts, retirement plan trusts, and special needs trusts may be appropriate to address tax planning, creditor protection, and long-term care for vulnerable family members. Crafting a cohesive plan reduces the likelihood of disputes and aligns asset management with personal wishes for distribution and stewardship.
Clients who wish to limit probate involvement and preserve family privacy often choose a funded living trust with a pour-over will as a backup. Trusts can reduce the assets that must be probated, while pour-over wills ensure any remaining assets flow into the trust. This approach helps keep many details out of public probate records and allows trustees to administer distributions more privately. Additionally, comprehensive planning can include certifications of trust and general assignments of assets to a trust to present to financial institutions, streamlining post-death administration for trustees and families.
Coordinating a living trust with a pour-over will can bring multiple practical advantages. A funded trust allows for asset management during incapacity, simplifies transfer of titled property, and can reduce the volume of assets subject to probate. The pour-over will complements that strategy by capturing unintended assets and directing them into the trust for consistent distribution. This combination helps families avoid fragmentation of assets across multiple legal paths and can provide for smoother financial management during both incapacity and after death, with clearer directions for trustees and beneficiaries.
Another important benefit of a comprehensive approach is predictability for heirs and fiduciaries. By consolidating distribution through a trust and using a pour-over will as a safety mechanism, families reduce the risk of conflicting outcomes and lessen the administrative weight on surviving loved ones. Supporting documents like financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, HIPAA authorizations, and guardianship nominations create a complete plan for life and death contingencies. Proper coordination among these instruments makes transitions more orderly and helps ensure that personal wishes are carried out without unnecessary delay.
A primary practical advantage of funding a living trust and using a pour-over will is that fewer assets typically remain for probate, reducing the time and public oversight associated with court administration. While some probate may still be necessary for assets that must be transferred into the trust after death, the overall workload and exposure of private affairs can be significantly decreased. This reduction in probate activity often translates into lower stress for family members and a clearer roadmap for transferring property in keeping with the decedent’s intentions.
Coordinated trust and will arrangements give the grantor more precise control over the timing and conditions of distributions to beneficiaries. Trusts can include provisions that manage distributions over time, protect inheritances from creditors or mismanagement, and provide for successors if circumstances change. A pour-over will supports this control by ensuring assets not previously transferred still end up under the trust’s rules. Together these tools allow a person to structure their legacy thoughtfully and to provide guidance for the trustee about how family resources should be handled and distributed after death.
Keeping your trust fully funded during life reduces the number of assets that must pass through probate and limits the reliance on a pour-over will. Review account titles, beneficiary designations, and property deeds regularly to confirm they reflect current intentions. Changes in family circumstances, new bank accounts, or additional real estate may create unintentional gaps. Routine reviews and prompt re-titling of accounts into the trust where feasible will minimize the administration required at death and better ensure that the trust governs distribution as intended.
Assemble and maintain a central file with copies of your trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, health care directives, and other trust-related documents. Provide trusted family members or an appointed fiduciary with information about where originals are kept and how to locate advisers. A certification of trust can be helpful for institutions that need to verify trust authority without reviewing the entire trust document. Clear records help executors and trustees act efficiently and reduce delays in administering assets that may be subject to a pour-over instruction.
People often select a pour-over will when they prefer a trust-centered distribution plan but recognize that some assets may remain outside the trust at death. A pour-over will ties those residual assets to the trust’s instructions, promoting consistency. It is also chosen by those who value having a single governing document for distribution logic while still retaining flexibility during life to manage assets without the hassle of transferring every account immediately. This combined approach offers a balance between administrative efficiency and practical limits on immediate trust funding.
Another reason to use a pour-over will is to reduce the likelihood of intestate succession for assets inadvertently omitted from a trust. By directing leftover property into an existing trust, the pour-over will helps ensure that the grantor’s chosen beneficiaries and distribution scheme are followed. For families with minor children, blended households, or complex asset structures, the pour-over will provides an additional safeguard that aligns legacy plans with personal intentions while simplifying the role of trustees who will ultimately manage and distribute such assets.
Typical scenarios that make a pour-over will valuable include the presence of newly acquired assets that were not retitled, recently opened accounts, forgotten personal property, or complex family situations where trust-based distribution is preferred. People who move between states, inherit property late in life, or change their residence may not finish trust funding, so a pour-over will provides a planned route for those assets. It is also useful when clients wish to centralize management under a trust while enjoying flexibility in handling assets during their lifetime.
When property is acquired shortly before death, it may not have been transferred into the trust yet. A pour-over will ensures that recently acquired assets are directed into the trust for distribution according to the trust’s terms. This mechanism prevents small oversights from altering long-term intentions and provides a path for these assets to be managed alongside other trust property. Having the pour-over will in place reduces the risk that last-minute acquisitions create unintended probate complexity for surviving loved ones.
Financial accounts or property that retain legacy titling or outdated beneficiary designations can fall outside a funded trust. A pour-over will helps capture those assets by directing them into the trust upon death, ensuring they are governed by the trust’s distribution scheme. Periodic account reviews and re-titling when feasible remain advisable, but the pour-over will serves as an important backup to align remaining assets with the wider plan. Clear instructions and documentation about account locations reduce delays during administration.
In blended families or situations with multiple potential heirs, a pour-over will used together with a living trust can produce consistent outcomes and reduce disputes. Trust provisions can address unique circumstances such as phased distributions, protection for beneficiaries, and backup arrangements for successors. The pour-over will directs any stray probate assets into that trust, avoiding unintended distributions. This coordinated approach helps families implement nuanced plans that reflect the grantor’s priorities while offering a straightforward administration path for trustees and heirs.
Although the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman are based in San Jose, we assist clients across California, including Hermosa Beach and Los Angeles County, with estate planning documents such as pour-over wills and related trust instruments. We help clients assess whether a pour-over will fits their needs, coordinate trust funding, and prepare supporting documents like powers of attorney and advance health care directives. Our goal is to provide clear guidance so residents know what steps to take to protect family assets and to ensure their wishes are carried out with minimal confusion.
The firm focuses on practical estate planning solutions tailored to California law, with an emphasis on documents that work together to accomplish client goals. We prepare pour-over wills alongside revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, certifications of trust, and other trust-related instruments. Our intention is to reduce unnecessary probate for families while providing documentation that trustees and fiduciaries can use confidently. We walk clients through the implications of each choice so they can make informed decisions about their estate plans.
Clients benefit from straightforward communication, detailed document preparation, and careful coordination across related instruments. When necessary, we assist with trust-related court filings such as Heggstad petitions or trust modification petitions to address funding gaps or to reflect changes in circumstances. We also advise on ancillary documents like HIPAA authorizations and guardianship nominations so that a client’s full suite of planning tools is organized and accessible. This approach helps families anticipate transitions with clarity and reduces administrative friction for successors.
We assist with both initial plan creation and later updates to keep documents aligned with life changes, such as marriage, divorce, new children, or significant asset shifts. Periodic review helps ensure beneficiary designations, account titling, and trust provisions continue to reflect a client’s intentions. For clients in Hermosa Beach and throughout California, our firm provides practical options and written plans that aim to minimize delays and uncertainty during the administration process and support families in passing assets according to their wishes.
Our process begins with a review of existing documents and an inventory of assets to determine whether a pour-over will and associated trust documents are appropriate. We discuss client goals for distribution, incapacity planning, and family needs, then draft a pour-over will consistent with the revocable living trust and other instruments. If necessary we advise on steps to fund the trust, prepare certifications of trust for institutions, and provide guidance to trustees and executors for post-death administration. We also explain probate implications and how to streamline the transfer of assets into the trust.
The first step involves a thorough discussion of your goals, family situation, and a review of current estate planning documents. We assess whether a pour-over will suits your needs and identify assets that may need retitling or beneficiary updates. This meeting helps determine whether additional trust instruments such as irrevocable life insurance trusts, retirement plan trusts, or special needs trusts are advisable. Clear documentation of asset locations and beneficiary designations allows us to draft cohesive documents that work together to fulfill your intentions.
Collecting information about bank accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, real property, and personal items is essential to crafting an effective pour-over will and trust plan. We provide guidance on which assets should be retitled, which beneficiary designations should be updated, and which items may remain outside the trust with a pour-over will as a backup. Accurate and current records reduce the risk of overlooked property and help streamline probate and trust administration if assets must be transferred after death.
We examine any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and beneficiary forms to identify inconsistencies and gaps. This review allows us to propose revisions or new documents that align with your present wishes. When documents conflict, we recommend updates to harmonize titling and beneficiary choices with the trust and pour-over will. The goal is to minimize post-death disputes and ensure that the administration of assets follows clearly stated intentions with minimal court involvement.
After gathering information and reviewing existing documents we draft a pour-over will tailored to your trust structure and personal goals. Drafting includes naming an executor, specifying the trust that will receive poured assets, and detailing any particular bequests. We recommend language that facilitates transfer into the trust and reduces ambiguity that could prolong probate. Once the draft is reviewed and approved we arrange for proper execution according to California formalities to ensure the will is valid and effective when needed.
Drafting the pour-over will requires careful coordination with the trust document to ensure the receiving trust is properly identified and that trust provisions reflect distribution intentions. We confirm the trust’s terms, successor trustee provisions, and any distribution schedules so the will’s pour-over direction produces consistent outcomes. A certification of trust can be prepared to present to financial institutions after death, reducing the need to disclose full trust terms while enabling trustees to claim and administer poured assets.
Proper execution of the pour-over will requires compliance with California signing and witness requirements to ensure validity. We advise on safe storage of original documents and provide guidelines for sharing location information with trusted family members or fiduciaries. Keeping originals accessible but secure helps executors and trustees act promptly when needed. We also recommend periodic reviews, especially after major life events, to maintain consistency between the will, the trust, and beneficiary designations across financial accounts and insurance policies.
When a pour-over will becomes operative after death, the executor initiates probate for assets that cannot pass by beneficiary designation or joint ownership. The probate court validates the will and authorizes the executor to transfer remaining assets into the trust. The trustee then collects those assets and administers them under the trust terms. We can assist executors and trustees during this process by preparing court filings, facilitating transfers, and advising on tax and creditor matters, all to promote timely and orderly administration for beneficiaries.
The probate sequence for pour-over assets includes filing the will with the appropriate court, inventorying estate assets, resolving creditor claims, and obtaining the court’s authorization for asset distribution. Once the probate process allows transfer, the executor conveys the assets to the trustee for management under the trust. Timely communication among the executor, trustee, and beneficiaries helps reduce delays. We provide guidance on required filings, timelines, and documentation necessary to transfer assets into the trust efficiently and in compliance with California procedures.
After assets are transferred into the trust the trustee manages distribution according to the trust terms, which may include immediate payments, staged distributions, or special provisions for certain beneficiaries. Trustees must follow fiduciary duties and maintain clear records of receipts and disbursements. We advise trustees on permissible actions, tax reporting obligations, and strategies for asset management consistent with the trust’s directions. Providing trustees with a well-documented trust and supporting paperwork, such as a certification of trust, eases the administrative burden and promotes transparent handling of family assets.
A pour-over will is primarily designed to direct any assets not already titled in a trust into that trust after the testator’s death. Its main purpose is to capture overlooked or newly acquired property and place it under the existing trust terms, promoting consistency in distribution. While it does not eliminate probate for those assets, it serves as a safety net ensuring the grantor’s broader plan for distribution via the trust is followed. The document names an executor to handle probate procedures and transfer the remaining assets to the trustee. When properly coordinated with a revocable living trust the pour-over will supports a cohesive estate plan. It should clearly identify the receiving trust and include provisions that help the executor locate and transfer assets into the trust. Maintaining careful records and updating account titling can reduce reliance on the pour-over will, but having the document in place is a prudent step to avoid intestate succession for assets unintentionally left out of the trust.
A pour-over will does not avoid probate for assets that must pass under the will; probate is still the process by which title to those assets is legally transferred to the trustee. However, because the ultimate destination of such assets is the trust, the pour-over will aligns probate assets with the grantor’s trust-based distribution plan. Proper trust funding during life minimizes the quantity of assets that must go through probate, reducing time and public exposure of estate details. While some properties pass outside probate by beneficiary designation or joint ownership, any assets solely controlled in the decedent’s name at death will typically require probate to be moved into the trust. We advise clients to coordinate account titling and beneficiary forms with their trust to limit probate involvement and streamline post-death administration.
A pour-over will functions as a complementary document to a revocable living trust by directing assets not previously placed into the trust to be transferred into it upon death. The trust contains the substantive distribution instructions, while the pour-over will ensures that any residual assets are captured and distributed under those terms. This relationship helps maintain consistency across an estate plan, so that the trust remains the primary instrument governing distributions, even if some assets were never retitled during the grantor’s lifetime. Coordination between the will and the trust is important to avoid confusion for executors and trustees. The trust should be clearly identified in the will, and trustees should be provided with a certification of trust and supporting paperwork to ease claims with financial institutions after assets are poured into the trust.
You should update your pour-over will and trust documents after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of children, acquisition or sale of major assets, changes in residence, or modifications in beneficiary intentions. Periodic reviews every few years are also advisable to ensure changes in law or personal circumstances do not create inconsistencies. Keeping documents current reduces the risk that assets will be distributed contrary to your wishes and minimizes administrative friction for executors and trustees. Regular updates also include checking account titles and beneficiary designations so that they match the trust’s objectives. If assets are added or removed from a portfolio or a family dynamic changes, revising the trust and pour-over will can preserve the intended outcome and prevent unintended probate complications for surviving family members.
Retirement accounts and life insurance typically pass by beneficiary designation and are not transferred by a pour-over will. If a retirement account or life insurance policy names a primary beneficiary other than the trust, those assets will generally pass outside the trust. It is therefore important to align beneficiary designations with the overall estate plan and consider naming the trust as a beneficiary where appropriate to achieve the desired treatment under the trust’s provisions. Because these accounts may have specific tax and distribution rules, coordinating beneficiary designations with trust provisions is essential. Consulting about the interaction between retirement accounts, life insurance, and trust planning helps ensure that legacy goals are met and that tax and administrative implications are addressed for beneficiaries receiving such assets.
Selecting an executor and trustee requires attention to organizational ability, trustworthiness, and availability to fulfill responsibilities. The executor handles probate tasks associated with transferring assets under the pour-over will while the trustee manages trust assets and distributions. Many people name the same individual for both roles if practical, though separate appointments can avoid conflicts and spread administrative duties. Legal or financial professionals can serve where appropriate and acceptable to the family, but personal relationships often guide these choices for continuity. Whomever you choose should understand the responsibilities involved and be willing to administer fiduciary duties responsibly. Discussing the roles in advance and providing access to necessary documents, account lists, and contact information for advisers simplifies the post-death transition and helps executors and trustees act effectively on behalf of beneficiaries.
You should keep originals of your pour-over will and trust documents in a safe, accessible location and provide trusted fiduciaries with information on how to access them. Also include copies of related documents such as powers of attorney, advance health care directives, HIPAA authorizations, beneficiary designation forms, deeds, and insurance policies. A certification of trust is useful for institutions that need proof of trust authority without seeing full trust terms. Having a well-organized file with account numbers and contact details for financial institutions reduces delays at the time of administration. Make sure fiduciaries know where originals are stored and how to obtain them. Periodic reviews to verify the location and accuracy of documents help ensure that executors and trustees can locate necessary paperwork when called upon, facilitating timely and orderly administration of assets transferred under the pour-over will and trust.
The time required for the probate-to-trust transfer varies by case and jurisdictional procedures, but it often takes several months to over a year depending on the complexity of the estate and any creditor or tax matters. Probate timelines are influenced by asset types, the need for detailed inventories, creditor claim periods, and court schedules. When trusts are well funded during life and supporting documentation is in order, the amount of probate activity can be minimized and transfers completed more efficiently. Prompt organization, clear documentation, and proactive communication among the executor, trustee, and beneficiaries help shorten delays. Engaging advisers early to prepare required filings and to assist with transfer paperwork can also speed the transition of assets into the trust and reduce uncertainty for families during administration.
Generally, transferring assets from probate into a revocable living trust does not create immediate income tax consequences for individual beneficiaries, but estate tax considerations and reporting obligations may apply depending on the estate’s size and asset types. Some assets such as retirement accounts can have specific tax treatments when distributed. Trustees and executors should consult tax advisers about potential estate tax filings, income tax obligations related to trust distributions, and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with federal and state rules. Planning ahead can reduce unexpected tax burdens for beneficiaries. Establishing appropriate trust structures, reviewing potential tax implications of transferred assets, and coordinating with tax professionals helps ensure that transferred assets are handled in a manner consistent with both the grantor’s intentions and applicable tax law.
Beneficiaries are typically notified as part of the probate and trust administration processes according to legal and fiduciary requirements. Executors must follow notice obligations during probate, and trustees have duties to inform beneficiaries of their rights and provide accountings when required by the trust or law. Clear communication helps beneficiaries understand their rights, expected timelines, and how poured assets will be managed under the trust’s terms, reducing confusion and the potential for disputes. Providing beneficiaries with a roadmap of the expected process, including the steps needed to move assets into the trust and the trustee’s role in distribution, fosters transparency. Trustees should maintain accurate records and make reasonable efforts to communicate with beneficiaries to ensure that distributions and management occur in a manner consistent with the trust document.
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