Known worldwide as the Raisin Capital of the World and straddling Highway 99 between Fresno and Kingsburg, Selma is a community of about 24,000 with deep agricultural roots and many multigenerational family businesses. When a Selma family member passes away with a living trust in place, the work shifts to trust administration, a process most successor trustees have never handled before.
Greg Roberts guides Selma successor trustees through each step so they meet their legal deadlines and protect themselves from personal liability.
Driving through Selma, you can see why folks call it the “Raisin Capital of the World.” There’s a certain sense of pride here—families who’ve been part of the farming community for generations, small businesses that keep downtown lively, and a community that values hard work and connection. It’s also the kind of place where planning ahead really matters, whether for your family or for your business.
That’s where The Barrus and Roberts, PC comes in. At www.brlawyer.net, the firm helps people in Selma and throughout Fresno County with estate planning and business formation, offering clear guidance on probate, trust administration, incorporation, and more.
Estate planning isn’t about how much wealth you have—it’s about making sure the people you love are taken care of. Families in Selma, whether they own farmland, run local businesses, or are just starting out with their first home, benefit from having a plan in place.
A living trust can keep your family from getting tangled in probate court. A will can make sure your wishes are respected. And if you’ve ever talked with someone who didn’t have these in place, you’ve probably heard how overwhelming it was for their loved ones.
It’s not always easy to think about, but it makes life a whole lot smoother for the people left behind.
Probate has a reputation, and not a great one. It’s the legal process of proving a will and distributing assets, and while it serves a purpose, it can drag on. Families in Selma who find themselves in probate often face months of waiting, legal hurdles, and extra expenses.
The Barrus and Roberts, PC helps families through probate when it’s unavoidable. But the real value comes from planning ahead to reduce or eliminate the need for probate in the first place.
When someone sets up a trust, the work doesn’t stop there. Trust administration is the process of carrying out the trust after someone passes, and while it’s often smoother than probate, it still requires care and legal guidance.
In Selma, where families often own both personal property and business assets, trust administration can get complex. The Barrus and Roberts, PC helps trustees manage those responsibilities, making sure everything is handled according to the terms of the trust while easing the burden on families.
Selma is full of hardworking entrepreneurs—whether it’s farmers managing operations that have been in the family for decades or locals opening new shops and services. Starting a business here isn’t just about income; it’s about legacy.
That’s why incorporating or forming an LLC isn’t just a formality. It’s a way to protect yourself from liability, make taxes easier to manage, and build credibility. The Barrus and Roberts, PC helps business owners in Selma choose the right structure, draft the necessary documents, and set up a framework for long-term success.
I’ve known people who launched their businesses quickly without thinking about structure, and later regretted it when disagreements or tax issues cropped up. Starting off with proper incorporation saves a lot of headaches.
Many people don’t realize just how connected estate planning and business formation can be. For business owners in Selma, the question isn’t only how to run the company today but also what happens to it tomorrow.
Who inherits the business? Who runs it if you’re gone? How will your family benefit from the work you’ve put in? By blending estate planning with business planning, The Barrus and Roberts, PC helps clients make sure their companies continue to thrive for future generations.
Working with an attorney doesn’t have to feel intimidating. What stands out about The Barrus and Roberts, PC is how approachable the process feels. You’re not left drowning in legal jargon. Instead, everything is explained clearly, in a way that makes sense for real families and business owners.
Clients often walk away surprised at how straightforward things were, saying things like, “That was so much easier than I expected.” And that’s exactly the point—getting these plans in place shouldn’t be overwhelming.
Whether you’re raising kids near Selma High, running a farm that’s been in your family for decades, or preparing to open your first storefront downtown, planning ahead is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones.
The Barrus and Roberts, PC provides guidance in:
You can learn more or get in touch at www.brlawyer.net.
A successor trustee has real legal duties. Within sixty days of the death, California Probate Code Section 16061.7 requires the trustee to send formal notice to every beneficiary and legal heir; missing that window can expose the trustee to challenges and personal liability. From there the trustee inventories trust assets, pays valid debts, files the final income tax returns, and distributes what remains. Greg Roberts walks Selma trustees through the entire sequence.
Many Selma businesses are family-owned and ready to formalize. Greg Roberts incorporates Selma businesses, drafts the bylaws and shareholder agreements that govern them, and ties the entity into the owner’s personal estate plan so the company transfers cleanly to the next generation rather than landing in probate.
Selma has a strong sense of community and tradition. Protecting that—whether through estate planning for your family or incorporation for your business—is worth the effort. The Barrus and Roberts, PC makes it possible to approach these decisions with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
A Selma successor trustee must notify beneficiaries and heirs within sixty days under Probate Code Section 16061.7, inventory trust assets, pay debts, file final tax returns, and distribute the remainder. Greg Roberts guides trustees through each step.
California Probate Code Section 16061.7 requires a successor trustee to send formal notice to all beneficiaries and heirs within sixty days of the death. Missing it can create personal liability for the trustee.
No. Trust administration is handled privately by the successor trustee and avoids Fresno County Superior Court probate, which is one of the main reasons Selma families create trusts.
Yes. He forms corporations and LLCs for Selma businesses, prepares the governing documents, and coordinates the entity with the owner’s estate plan.
Barrus and Roberts, PC is at 375 Woodworth Ave, Suite 103, Clovis, CA 93612.
Get Started Today
Estate planning is not something to put off. If you own a home, have children, run a business, or simply want to make sure your wishes are honored, a properly drafted estate plan is one of the most important things you can do for your family.
Contact Barrus and Roberts PC today to schedule a consultation. Call 559-431-6800 or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will follow up within one business day.