How to Choose a Trustee

If you create an irrevocable trust, you will need a separate person or institution, called a trustee, to manage the trust either now or in the future. Choosing the right trustee is crucial to making sure your wishes are carried out. The choice is important because being a trustee can be a difficult job, with duties including making proper investments, paying bills, keeping accounts, and preparing tax returns.

What is a Trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement through which a trustee holds legal title to property for another person, called a beneficiary. The trust document will name the trustee, and there are several different types of trusts. The simplest one is a revocable living trust in which the person who creates the trust maintains control of the trust while they are alive. In this situation, the trust document will name a successor trustee to take over after the original trustee dies or becomes incapacitated. Other trusts -- such as an irrevocable trust or special needs trust -- may have a separate trustee from the start.

Basic Requirements for Your Trustee

The law isn't very strict about who may serve as your trustee as long as the person is legally competent, meaning they are over 18 years of age and capable of managing their own affairs. The main consideration when selecting a trustee is picking someone who is trustworthy. The trustee has a duty to manage the trust in the beneficiary's best interest. They don't need legal or financial expertise, but they must have good judgment. In the case of a special needs trust, the trustee should have knowledge of government benefits programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid.

Another consideration is that the trustee is able to manage the trust for an extended period of time. Your choice of trustee should be someone who will likely be around for a long while and who has the time to devote to trustee duties. If they have a financial or legal background, it's helpful, but they can hire the additional help they need for their role.

Professional Trustees

If you don't know anyone who meets these qualifications, you can look into hiring an independent trustee. This can be an individual or an institution with no beneficial interest in the trust. Some examples include:

• A bank or trust company
• A professional trustee
• An investment advisor or manager
• An investment banker
• An accountant
• An estate planning or elder law lawyer

In addition to being independent, a professional trustee will usually have experience and expertise in managing trusts. If you aren't comfortable with having a stranger manage the trust, it may be possible to choose a family member and a professional trustee as co-trustees. The downside to hiring an independent trustee is that the trustee will charge a fee, which is usually a percentage of the trust.

Whomever you choose as a trustee, it's important to reevaluate your choice every few years. The person who is right today may not be right tomorrow. Your attorney can help you determine who is the best trustee for you. 

Learn more about trusts.

Learn what to ask before becoming a trustee.  

Find an estate planning and elder law attorney near you.