How to Hand Off a Law Firm Trust Account When a Signatory or Designated Licensee Leaves in 2026: The 8-Step Checklist That Beats the 30-Day Clock

Under California's designated licensee rule, if the licensee responsible for a client trust account goes inactive, becomes ineligible, or leaves the firm, you have 30 days to assign a replacement or close the account. Most firms have no written handoff procedure. Here is the 8-step checklist — and the accounting posture that makes it survivable.