What Is a Trustee?

A trustee is responsible for managing and distributing the assets held in a trust.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.


The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.

Published · 2 min read
Profile photo of Cheryl Lock
Written by Cheryl Lock
Profile photo of Claire Tsosie
Edited by Claire Tsosie
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

A trustee is the person, bank or trust company in charge of handling the assets from a trust and transferring them to its beneficiaries. These assets might be transferred during the grantor’s (or trust creator’s) life or after their death, depending on the type of trust.

Trustees are expected to keep their own financial assets separate from those they manage within the trust. They’re also responsible for keeping detailed records of how they’re managing the trust assets that they can share with the grantor of the trust, the beneficiaries and potentially the state

Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Trustee. Accessed Jul 12, 2023.
.

Advertisement
Trust & Will - Will

GoodTrust

LegalZoom - Last Will

Price (one-time)

Will: one-time fee of $199 per individual or $299 for couples. Trust: one-time fee of $499 per individual or $599 for couples.

Price (one-time)

$149 for estate plan bundle. Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $10.

Price (one-time)

Will: $199 for Basic, $299 for Premium with attorney assist. Trust: $499 for Basic, $599 for Premium with attorney assist.

Price (annual)

$19 annual membership fee.

Price (annual)

$39

Price (annual)

$199 per year for attorney assistance after the first year.

Access to attorney support

Yes

Access to attorney support

No

Access to attorney support

Yes

What are a trustee’s duties?

The trustee has a fiduciary duty to fulfill the grantor’s wishes regarding the distribution of their assets to their beneficiaries after their death. A few ways they are expected to fulfill those wishes include

:

  • Managing the trust assets while the grantor is alive (depending on the type of trust) and carrying out the intent of the trust when the grantor dies.

  • Making decisions about the assets based on the best interests of the trust beneficiaries, including aligning investments with the overall trust objectives.

  • Using and distributing trust assets as described in the trust.

  • Avoiding conflicts of interest.

  • Accounting for and reporting on decisions to stakeholders.

A grantor can help a trustee fulfill their duties by creating a well-thought-out trust that names all the parties involved and outlines how the grantor expects their trust to be executed. There are different types of trusts, but all versions should at least name the following:

  • The grantor (or donor/settlor/trustor/trust maker): This person creates the trust and transfers their assets legally to the trustee.

  • Beneficiaries: A list of the people, corporations or organizations that will receive the grantor’s assets.

  • Trustees (and co-trustees/successors): The person or people authorized and trusted with executing the grantor’s wishes.

  • Property: All of the property legally owned by the grantor and involved in the trust.

States have individual laws regarding what makes a trust legal and binding. Some states only require that the document be signed by the grantor in the presence of witnesses, while other states require notarization.

Whether you’re creating a trust for yourself or have been asked to serve as a trustee for one, make sure the document is legal by checking the laws in your state and consulting an estate planning lawyer.

How to pick a trustee

There are a few factors to consider:

  • The trustee's qualifications. The person or company you designate as a trustee will be responsible for ensuring all of your assets are distributed as intended. They should be responsible, trustworthy and reliable, and you should feel confident in their ability to act in your and your beneficiaries’ best interest at all times. If you choose a bank or trust company to act as your trustee, look for one with extensive experience in managing trusts.

  • The trustee’s relationship with other members of your estate. A trustee should be impartial and make decisions about distributing your assets according to their fiduciary responsibilities. As the grantor, you might consider naming a beneficiary as a trustee because you likely already know and trust them. But doing so might make it difficult for that person to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities because whatever actions they take will directly affect their inheritance. And if you have only one beneficiary, that same person cannot also be the trustee.

Some types of trusts, such as revocable living trusts, allow a grantor to be the trustee for their own trust. Whether the grantor is their own trustee or picks someone else, it’s also important for them to name a successor and/or co-trustee in case something happens to the original trustee.

Can you change the trustee after selecting one?

Different trust types do come with different rules for replacing or removing trustees:

  • Revocable living trusts: The grantor of a revocable trust, which can be updated or terminated, can easily change their trustee, beneficiaries and assets at any time. They can also name themselves as the trustee, along with a co-trustee or successor trustee to take over after they die.

  • Irrevocable trusts: While these trusts typically can’t be modified or revoked without agreement from the trust’s beneficiaries or by court order, they may allow the trustee to be replaced in some cases. To find out what types of changes you can make, you'll have to read the document's trust provisions.

How to decide whether you should be a trustee

If someone has asked you to be a trustee, ask yourself a few questions:

  • Can you act impartially? If you are a beneficiary listed on the trust, that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn’t also be the trustee. Ask yourself whether you’re prepared to make decisions based on the overall goals of the trust — and for the good of additional beneficiaries — rather than just for yourself.

  • Do you have the time? Depending on the size of the estate, becoming a trustee can take a lot of time. Consider whether you have the energy to devote to this additional responsibility before saying yes.

  • Can you find the right resources? Trustees need to keep detailed records and make smart financial decisions. Failing to do so could affect their own finances or get them sued. If you’re not up for the challenge, do you feel confident you could find someone to help?

Who can help a trustee with their duties?

Trustees can and should get outside help when needed — and it’s wise to do so, especially when dealing with large and complicated estates. Usually, trusts will include language that allows trustees to use trust funds to pay for counsel or other administration costs.

A few professionals whom a trustee might decide to consult could include:

  • An estate planning lawyer: Estate planning lawyers specialize in the estate planning process and can help the trustee with financial and personal issues related to the trust.

  • A financial advisor: Working with a financial advisor might help the trustee get better investment results for the assets in the trust. A financial advisor who specializes in estate planning can also point out applicable state investor rules regarding trusts and estates.

  • An accountant: Trustees are expected to keep proper documentation of the financial decisions they make regarding a trust. This includes providing an annual income tax statement to beneficiaries and filing an annual income tax return for the trust. If this paperwork isn’t handled properly, the trustee could be held personally responsible for any penalties and interest on penalties accrued by the trust. Working with an accountant who is skilled in estate planning can help avoid that.

Frequently asked questions

Being a trustee takes a lot of time, and trustees should expect to receive compensation. Trustee fees are usually laid out in the will or trust. In some cases, states provide a schedule for payments. Trustees can’t usually write themselves checks from the estate, though, so consult with an estate attorney or accountant to learn the proper way to accept payment.

Trustees can be held personally responsible — or sued — for mismanaging assets of a trust. Failing to file returns or pay taxes on time, buying assets for themselves or family members, allowing essential insurance to lapse or favoring one beneficiary over others are all common reasons trustees may get into trouble. To avoid having this happen, keep and share proper documentation of all decisions made regarding the trust, and consider consulting with experts — like an estate attorney, financial advisor and/or tax preparer — for help.

Trustees can give up their role, but it has to be done legally to ensure the proper transfer occurs. First, check the trust to see who — if anyone — is named as your successor. If there is no co-trustee or successor, a more formal court proceeding may be necessary to appoint one before you can give up your duties. If a successor is named, a discharge can usually be done directly by the beneficiaries or a local court. Some states require a more formal process, though, so consult with an estate attorney to find out what’s required.

Compare online will makers

Advertisement
Company
NerdWallet
rating
Price
(one-time)
Price
(annual)
Access to
attorney support
Learn more
Ease of use
Trust & Will - Will
Trust & Will - Will
Get started

on Trust & Will's website

Will: one-time fee of $199 per individual or $299 for couples. Trust: one-time fee of $499 per individual or $599 for couples. $19 annual membership fee.Yes
Get started

on Trust & Will's website

Digital Assets
GoodTrust
GoodTrust
Get started

on GoodTrust's website

$149 for estate plan bundle. Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $10.$39No
Get started

on GoodTrust's website

State-specific legal advice
LegalZoom - Last Will
LegalZoom - Last Will
Get started

on LegalZoom's website

Will: $199 for Basic, $299 for Premium with attorney assist. Trust: $499 for Basic, $599 for Premium with attorney assist.$199 per year for attorney assistance after the first year.Yes
Get started

on LegalZoom's website

Comprehensive services
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker - WillMaker
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker - WillMaker
Get started

on Nolo's website

None$99 to $209 per year.No
Get started

on Nolo's website

Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.