DEAR BRUCE: Like many seniors, my mother was advised several years ago to put together a revocable trust. With the help of an attorney, she placed most of her assets — including her house and numerous CDs — in the trust. The only asset not included was her checking account, which has my sister’s name as joint owner.

There are four siblings, all shown as beneficiaries in the trust. My brother and I were named as co-trustees. There was a will for the few assets that existed outside the trust, with us four named in the will.

My mother died recently, and we have been settling her affairs. The attorney has been telling us that he will place a claims notice in the local newspaper and advise us on how to manage the trust, among other duties. We are familiar with trust administration and don’t think we need the attorney, except when the house sells and we close the trust. There is little need for oversight by an independent adviser since we generally get along.