A practical estate administration sequence
1. Reconcile the estate. Confirm that the accounting equation balances before preparing a final distribution schedule.
2. Determine the distributable pool. Retain any reserve or other amount that should not yet be distributed.
3. Reconcile beneficiary shares. Apply the entered percentages and subtract prior distributions so the final schedule shows what remains due.
4. Reconcile any trust or escrow account separately. Compare the books, adjusted bank balance and client or matter ledger totals before releasing funds.
Designed to stay evergreen
The calculators intentionally avoid state-specific probate percentages, executor-fee statutes, trust-account rules and court forms. That keeps the arithmetic useful without presenting changing jurisdictional requirements as universal rules.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Estate and Trust Calculators?
They are free jurisdiction-neutral arithmetic tools for reconciling estate accounting activity, allocating beneficiary distributions and comparing trust or escrow books with bank and client-ledger balances.
Which estate calculator should I use first?
If you are administering an estate, start with the Estate Accounting and Reconciliation Calculator to make sure assets and outflows reconcile. Then use the Beneficiary Distribution Calculator to compare target shares with prior distributions.
Are these calculators state specific?
No. They intentionally avoid hard-coded state fee schedules, probate rules, trust-account regulations and court requirements so the arithmetic tools remain evergreen. The user must verify the controlling rules and source documents.
Can the Trust and Escrow Reconciliation Calculator be used for a law-firm trust account?
It can be used as a general arithmetic worksheet to compare books, adjusted bank balance and client or matter ledger totals. It does not determine whether the account or reconciliation satisfies a particular jurisdiction or professional rule.
Do these calculators replace probate, trust or tax software?
No. They are free checking and planning worksheets. LawFirmSoftware.com separately offers Form 706 and 709 software for federal estate and gift-tax return preparation.