Questions to Guide Your Trustee Search
Use these questions when evaluating any individual for the trustee role—examining expertise, values, communication, resources, independence, and long-term fit.
Deep Understanding of the Fiduciary Role
Does the prospective trustee possess a clear grasp of fiduciary duties—including personal liability—sufficient time to dedicate to the role, and expertise in trust law, taxation, investments, and complex assets such as real estate?
Values & Integrity
Has this individual consistently demonstrated integrity in both professional and personal life, and do their core values ensure beneficiaries’ interests come before their own?
Communication & Decision-Making Clarity
Is this person able to explain distributions in plain English, tailor explanations to each beneficiary’s sophistication, and enforce trust terms—even when that means saying “no”?
Professional Network & Resource Access
Does the individual maintain a robust network of attorneys, CPAs, investment managers, therapists, and other specialists—and the judgment to integrate their advice into timely, well-documented actions?
Independence & Conflict Management
Will this trustee make arm’s-length decisions free from self-dealing and use mediation skills to resolve family tensions before they escalate?
Personality Fit
Will the trustee’s personality, communication style, and values remain a comfortable fit for the family over time?