is attorney necessary when successor trustee must manage estate on incapacitated trustee

by Mr. Virgil Williamson 8 min read

The assets held in trust should be managed by the successor trustee, and the assets in the name of the incapacitated person should be managed by the power of attorney. However, tracking down and determining the ownership of each asset can be challenging, especially during a stressful time when their loved one is in the hospital.

In your durable power of attorney for finances, appoint your successor trustee to be your attorney-in-fact, to have authority to make financial and property management decisions for property (except trust property) if you become incapacitated.

Full Answer

Can I appoint a successor trustee while still alive?

Feb 04, 2010 · To this end, it is necessary that the Trust instrument is reviewed first with a qualified Trust and Estates attorney to identify: (1) The requirements that must exist for a successor trustee to become the new fiduciary of the estate, including whether the Trustee can simply execute a resignation of their authority and designation of a new trustee; and (2) the …

What happens when a trustee of a trust becomes incapacitated?

At the point when an attorney or court determines that a Trustee is unable or unwilling to continue serving, it will be necessary for the Successor Trustee to accept their new role as fiduciary. In Arizona, the trust and the Arizona Trust Code states a Trustee’s fiduciary obligations. And, new documents such as a Certification of Trust will need to be drafted and executed in …

What happens to a trust when the trustee dies?

Your attorney should be consulted prior to taking this step as it can create problems if there is any dispute as to your loved one’s ability to understand and comprehend the decision to step down as trustee. When a loved one is incapacitated, his estate plan can provide the tools needed for you to step in and manage the assets effectively.

Can an attorney appoint an additional trustee to a trust?

Aug 05, 2020 · The assets held in trust should be managed by the successor trustee, and the assets in the name of the incapacitated person should be managed by the power of attorney. However, tracking down and determining the ownership of each asset can be challenging, especially during a stressful time when their loved one is in the hospital.

What are the responsibilities of a successor trustee?

A Successor Trustee is the person responsible for administering and settling a Trust after the creator (called the Grantor) of the Trust dies. A Successor Trustee is also responsible for the Trust in the event the Grantor becomes incapacitated or unable to make decisions.

What happens if a trustee has dementia?

For example, if the trustee is declared incompetent because of mental illness, develops Alzheimer's disease or becomes physically unable to carry out their responsibilities as trustee, then the successor would take over.Aug 6, 2015

What is the difference between successor trustee and executor?

An executor operates under the supervision of the probate court. A successor trustee is answerable to the beneficiaries of the trust.May 7, 2020

What is the difference between a trustee and a 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 a successor trustee resign?

No, a trustee generally cannot be forced to resign. However, a trustee can be non-consensually removed through court processes in some situations. Sometimes, when trustees are facing removal, they will resign voluntarily to avoid the potential costs and consequences of going to trial.

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.

What is a successor trustee of an irrevocable trust?

A Successor Trustee is the person responsible for administering the trust after its Grantor either passes away or becomes “Incapacitated” – that is, unable to administer the trust for themselves.Jul 10, 2020

Can a trustee also be a beneficiary?

The short answer is yes. Trustees can be a beneficiary of a discretionary trust, although it would be rare for the trustee to not have a co-trustee appointed to make discretionary decisions.Jul 20, 2021

What is an alternate successor trustee?

Naming an Alternate Successor Trustee If you named more than one successor trustee, the alternate won't become trustee unless none of your original choices can serve. EXAMPLE: Caroline names her two children, Eugene and Vanessa, as successor trustees. She names a close friend, Nicole, as alternate successor trustee.

Who holds the real power in a trust the trustee or the beneficiary?

A trust is a legal arrangement through which one person, called a "settlor" or "grantor," gives assets to another person (or an institution, such as a bank or law firm), called a "trustee." The trustee holds legal title to the assets for another person, called a "beneficiary." The rights of a trust beneficiary depend ...Jun 22, 2021

Can an attorney act on behalf of a trustee?

The short answer is that, although an attorney has wide powers to deal with both the donor's personal financial affairs and their investments, an attorney cannot act on behalf of the donor when the donor is acting as trustee.Mar 16, 2018

What happens when a trustee becomes incapacitated?

Since a Trust is an independent legal entity, the actions that must take place when a Trustee becomes incapacitated are generally drafted into the document as express terms. To this end, it is necessary that the Trust instrument is reviewed first with a qualified Trust and Estates attorney to identify: (1) The requirements that must exist for a successor trustee to become the new fiduciary of the estate, including whether the Trustee can simply execute a resignation of their authority and designation of a new trustee; and (2) the types of legally sufficient medical evaluations that will usually be required.

When is it necessary for a successor trustee to accept their new role as fiduciary?

At the point when an attorney or court determines that a Trustee is unable or unwilling to continue serving, it will be necessary for the Successor Trustee to accept their new role as fiduciary.

What is the role of successor trustee in a trust?

In the case of incapacity, the successor trustee typically manages the trust assets, but you can set forth their exact responsibilities and duties in the trust agreement. This may include: Identifying and protecting your trust assets. Investing your trust assets. Paying the trust administration expenses and fees.

What is successor trustee?

What is a successor trustee? A successor trustee is a person who takes over administration of a trust if the original trustee is no longer able to do so. Although trusts of all types usually name a successor trustee, this is especially important for anyone whose estate plans include a revocable living trust.

How does a trustee administer a trust?

The successor trustee administers the trust once the grantor is either incapacitated or deceased. In the case of incapacity, the successor trustee typically manages the trust assets, but you can set forth their exact responsibilities and duties in the trust agreement. This may include: 1 Identifying and protecting your trust assets 2 Investing your trust assets 3 Paying the trust administration expenses and fees 4 Filing all required tax returns for the trust 5 Determining your income tax or estate tax liabilities 6 Deciding how and at what time to raise cash from your trust assets to pay ongoing expenses, taxes and debts

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes someone to act on another person’s behalf. A general power of attorney typically gives the authority to make financial and other decisions for that person, and it ends when the person becomes incapacitated or passes away. When planning for a scenario like incapacity, ...

How to invest in a trust?

Investing your trust assets. Paying the trust administration expenses and fees. Filing all required tax returns for the trust. Determining your income tax or estate tax liabilities. Deciding how and at what time to raise cash from your trust assets to pay ongoing expenses, taxes and debts.

Who is the trustee of a revocable trust?

With a revocable living trust, the person who creates the trust (the “grantor”) is often the same person who administers the trust (the “trustee”). The successor trustee’s role in this circumstance is critical, because he or she will assume management of the trust if the grantor becomes incapacitated.

Who manages the assets in a trust?

The assets held in trust should be managed by the successor trustee, and the assets in the name of the incapacitated person should be managed by the power of attorney. However, tracking down and determining the ownership of each asset can be challenging, especially during a stressful time when their loved one is in the hospital.

What is successor trustee?

A successor Trustee is allowed to pursue that option if he or she chooses to do so. Furthermore, the successor Trustee may believe they have a moral duty to take over management of the Trust. For example, if your father creates a Trust, and is the currently acting Trustee, and you are one of three children, but only you are ...

Can a successor trustee take over a trust?

As a result, a named, successor Trustee has no legal duty to take over a Trust estate even if the current Trustee is losing capacity to manage the Trust estate. Having said that, it could still be helpful for a successor Trustee to step in and take over management of the Trust.

What are the responsibilities of a trustee?

The responsibilities of a trustee are to handle your affairs in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement. However, a trustee who is older may suffer from memory problems and may ultimately be unable to act in their capacity as a trustee.

Why do we need trusts?

Trusts are a valuable tool to protect your heirs in the event of your death or incapacity. In effect, assigning a trustee to manage your affairs while you are alive (using a living trust) or distributing your assets as per your directions upon your death, helps avoid the probate process. However, one of the issues that is seldom discussed is ...

What is a trust document?

Trust documents are meant to be part of a comprehensive estate plan. Oftentimes, those who establish a trust do not think about who will manage the plan should the original trustee become incapacitated or die. It is imperative that you speak with an estate planning attorney at the Law Offices of James C.

Can a successor trustee take over a trust?

However, not withstanding this clause, the maker of the trust does have the option to set out specific language that clearly states under what circumstances a successor trustee can take over the trust. For example, if the trustee is declared incompetent because of mental illness, develops Alzheimer's disease or becomes physically unable ...