When you name someone as the trustee of your trust, you’re giving them an incredible responsibility. They’ll be the one to step in and manage your financial and legal affairs if you’re incapacitated or after you pass away, following the instructions in your trust.
Most people think signing the trust document is enough. But ask any experienced trustee, and they’ll tell you: there are things they silently hope you’ve done—because without them, the job can become complicated, stressful, and even risky.
Here’s what your trustee secretly hopes you’ve taken care of (and what most people never do):
1. Kept Your Asset Information Organized
Your trustee can only manage what they can find. If they have to hunt down bank accounts, investment portfolios, insurance policies, and passwords, their first weeks on the job will feel like a scavenger hunt.
What helps:
- A clear list of all your accounts, policies, and investments
- Contact information for your financial advisors and institutions
- Instructions for how to access key documents (safely and securely)
2. Funded Your Trust Completely
The #1 frustration for trustees? Discovering that the trust isn’t actually holding all your assets. Real estate, business interests, and even simple bank accounts can fall through the cracks. When assets aren’t in the trust, your trustee may have to go through probate—undoing the very protection you thought you set up.
What helps:
- Making sure all real estate is titled to the trust
- Updating beneficiary designations where needed
- Periodically reviewing trust funding with your attorney
3. Left Clear Guidance for Personal Property
It’s not always the big-ticket items that cause family stress—it’s the sentimental ones. Trustees dread the moment when siblings fight over family heirlooms, jewelry, or that one piece of art that everyone remembers differently.
What helps:
- A written “personal property memorandum” or detailed letter of wishes
- Honest conversations with family about your intentions before they’re surprised later
4. Prepared for the Human Side of the Job
Being a trustee isn’t just a financial role—it’s an emotional one. They may need to mediate family conflicts, handle sensitive healthcare decisions if acting as a successor agent, and step into your shoes during a highly emotional time.
What helps:
- Naming a neutral co-trustee or professional trustee if family dynamics are complex
- Leaving behind a personal letter that explains your decisions
- Sharing your wishes for funeral or memorial arrangements in advance
5. Given Them a Trusted Team to Call
Even the most organized trustee doesn’t want to do this alone. Your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor can guide them through the process, prevent mistakes, and ensure they follow the law.
What helps:
- Keeping an updated “trusted advisor” contact list
- Letting your trustee know they should never hesitate to reach out for help
- Scheduling a family meeting or trustee orientation before the role becomes real
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
The truth is, most people leave their trustees to figure it out the hard way. But a few extra steps now can make their job—and your legacy—so much smoother.
If you haven’t checked these boxes, consider this your gentle nudge. The best gift you can give your trustee is peace of mind, and the best way to get there is to make your plan as “turnkey” as possible.
Your trustee will thank you—maybe not out loud, but definitely in quiet relief.
