Settle a parent’s living trust as successor trustee

  1. Obtain 10 certified copies of the death certificate
    30 min

    This step produces the certified copies of the death certificate that every bank, brokerage, title company, and government agency will demand before they recognize your authority as trustee. Without them nothing else moves — order enough on the first try to avoid delays.

    In California, deaths are registered with the county recorder or clerk-recorder in the county where the death occurred. Wait 3–5 days after the date of death for the registration to appear in the system, then:

    1. Go to the county vital records office in person, order by mail, or use the online portal. Most California counties accept all three methods. Search “[County Name] clerk-recorder vital records” for the specific portal.
    2. Request at least 10 certified copies — every institution keeps the original and you will not get it back. Typical institutions that demand originals: each bank and brokerage where the decedent held accounts, the title company or escrow officer for every real property transfer, the DMV for vehicle title transfers, and the IRS if you paper-file the trust’s Form 1041.
    3. Pay the fee, roughly $15–$32 per certified copy depending on the county.
    4. If the funeral home offers to order certificates on your behalf, accept — they often have a direct channel to the county registrar and can deliver copies within a week.