Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Sorry your friend passed away. If all of the assets were in the trust, then the Will is moot and you would not need to worry about letters testamentary. However, there are a number of things that a successor trustee must do. These include notices to creditors and beneficiaries, payment of claims and filing taxes. I strongly advise you to contact an attorney for assistance with trust administration. Please call me for a free consultation.

You need to determine what assets your friend had and if she held them in her name as Trustee. If there is real property or over $100,000 in assets outside of the trust, you may need letters testamentary.