can someone who is not an attorney be a successor trustee

by Forrest Leffler 4 min read

A Successor Trustee can be an adult child, a relative, or trusted friend, or a professional, (such as a CPA or attorney), or an institutional trustee (such as a bank, trust company or law firm). The Successor Trustee should be one you know and trust, whose judgment you respect and who will also respect your wishes.

Successor Trustee Qualifications. Trusts are governed by state law. Generally, any mentally competent adult may serve as a trustee. A trustee does not need to be an attorney.

Full Answer

Do you need a successor trustee for a trust?

The creation of a Trust can help bolster your Estate Plan and provide an extra layer of protection over the distribution of your assets. There are several types of Trusts depending on your specific needs, but most will require you to appoint a Successor Trustee.Much like the Executor of a Will, the Successor Trustee will manage the Trust after your death.

What happens if no one is named as a trustee?

Jan 24, 2022 · The role of a successor trustee is to take over the trust when the first trustee passes on. Successor trustees must be 18 years or older. If you name a successor trustee who isn’t a citizen of the United States, the IRS could impose undesired taxation. So although this isn’t a necessity, you may want to consider naming a successor trustee who is a US citizen.

Can an attorney be a trustee of a trust?

A successor trustee can be anyone who will carry out your instructions or act in your best interest regarding your living trust. They can be your: Partner or Spouse; Children or grandchildren; Business partner; Close friend; You would need to choose a person to be a trustee and successor trustee when creating a living trust.

What happens if the original trustee of a trust dies?

Only if the trust grants them the power to, or they can prove the successor trustee is unfit for their role. And of course courts have the power to remove a successor trustee for negligence or misconduct. But usually, the successor trustee is whoever the trust says it is, and only the current trustee has the power to change it.

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Who should successor trustee?

Successor trustees can be your adult children, other relatives, a trusted friend, or a corporate trustee (bank trust department or trust company). If you choose an individual, you should name more than one in case your first choice is unable to act.

Who can appoint a new trustee?

The Trustee Act 1925 (Section 36) provides that the right to appoint new trustees will rest with the persons 'nominated for the purposes of appointing new trustees' in the trust deed or, if there is no such person capable, the 'surviving or continuing trustees, or the personal representatives of the last surviving or ...Feb 24, 2017

How do you designate a successor trustee?

Grantors can choose to nominate a close relative, family friend, or even financial institution to take on the role of Successor Trustee. A Grantor will name their Successor Trustee within a document called a Declaration of Trust, which is also where their role will be explained.

What is the difference between trustee and successor trustee?

A trustee, who can either be the trustor or another responsible party, may be appointed while the trustor is still alive; a successor trustee is charged with administering a trust after the trustor or the appointed trustee (if they are different from the trustor) becomes incapacitated or dies.

Can you add a trustee to an existing trust?

Trustees can be easily changed on a revocable trust since the trust instrument's grantor is still alive and in charge, and changing the trustee is as simple as adding an amendment to an existing trust. You can write a new Trust and nullify the old Trust.

Can trustees appoint other trustees?

Trustees may be appointed in a number of different ways. For example: they can be nominated by the other trustees or by another organisation, such as a local authority.May 3, 2018

Can a beneficiary name a successor trustee?

It's perfectly legal to name a beneficiary of the trust (someone who will receive trust property after your death) as successor trustee. In fact, it's common. EXAMPLE: Mildred names her only child, Allison, as both sole beneficiary of her living trust and successor trustee of the living trust.

Is a successor trustee the same as executor?

When you've passed, the successor trustee – effectively the “executor” of your trust – is responsible for managing your trust and its assets. A trustee is similar to the executor of a will.Oct 28, 2021

Can a successor trustee change a revocable trust?

Can a successor trustee change a trust? Generally, no. Most living or revocable trusts become irrevocable upon the death of the trust's maker or makers. This means that the trust cannot be altered in any way once the successor trustee takes over management of it.

Can a successor trustee write checks?

- Notify all banks so you can start writing checks as the Successor Trustee. Each bank will require a death certificate, copy of the Certificate of Trust or complete Trust document, and personal identification from the Successor Trustee.

Who can be a trustee?

Who can be a trustee? Most people can become trustees. Trustees generally need to be over the age of 18. They cannot have been previously disqualified as a trustee or company director, be an undischarged bankrupt or have certain unspent criminal convictions.Dec 10, 2020

What are the three roles of a trustee?

The trustee must distribute the property in accordance with the settlor's instructions and desires. His or her three primary jobs include investment, administration, and distribution. A trustee is personally liable for a breach of his or her fiduciary duties.Oct 15, 2021

Types of Trusts and Trustees

Successor Trustee Qualifications

  • Trusts are governed by state law. Generally, any mentally competent adult may serve as a trustee. A trustee does not need to be an attorney. Some companies specialize in the business of serving as trustees. These are often professional trust-management companies, law firms, or trust divisions of ban...
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Co-Trustees and Beneficiaries as Trustees

  • Some people appoint two or more individuals to serve as successor co-trustees. This requires the trust document to spell out how decisions will be made in the event of disagreement among the trustees. Sometimes trust beneficiaries are appointed as successor trustees, but this often leads to conflict among the beneficiaries. It is usually best to avoid appointing co-trustees or beneficia…
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Resignation, Suspension, Or Removal of The Original Trustee

  • Under EPTL § 7-2.6, a trustee may resign or be suspended or removed by the court on the application of an interested person due to a violation of the trust, insolvency, or unsuitability to execute the trust. Usually, the trust agreement will provide for the mechanism of appointing a successor trustee, such as an appointment by a prior trustee or a protector or by a majority vote …
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Succession of A Successor Trustee

  • To succeed a previous trustee, the successor trustee has to ensure that he is indeed the successor trustee. There is a need to refer to the trust document to see who the successor trustee is and what kind of powers and authority the successor trustee has. Since a trustee is the legal owner of trust ...
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Successor Trustee in Revocable Trusts

  • In revocable trusts, the grantor is the orignal trustee and the person who takes over the trust after the grantor dies is the sucessor trustee. Many trusts are revocable trusts because many grantors do not like to relinquish control over their property until their death. A revocable trust allows the grantor to continue possessing and owning the property during his lifetime and to change the tr…
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Examples

  • Example 1:X establishes ABC trust where X names himself as trustee and beneficiary. In order for the trust to be effective, X needs to transfer property to ABC Trust. X transfers his house to the trust. A new deed is registered, transferring the house from X to X, Trustee of ABC Trust. In the trust document, X names you as successor trustee, and his children, B and C, as successor bene…
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Qualifications of A Good Successor Trustee

How Many Trustees Should Serve Together

Naming An Alternate Successor Trustee

Can The Successor Trustee Be A Beneficiary of The Trust?

Out-Of-State Trustees

Institutions as Successor Trustees

  • Nolo’s Living Trust does not currently allow you to name an institution as successor trustee. If you want to do so, you will need help from an attorney. Normally, your first choice as successor trustee should be a flesh-and-blood person, not the trust department of a bank or other institution. Insti...
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Avoiding Conflicts with Your Will and Other Documents

Payment of The Successor Trustee