Estate Planning Newsletter

• Cy Pres Doctrine
  If you create an estate planning document leaving property to a charity, but after your death the transfer cannot occur, the court may apply the cy pres rule. The words “cy pres” are French for “as near.”... Read more.
• Revocable Bank Deposit Totten Trusts
  A decedent’s assets may be transferred upon their death to their heirs or other beneficiaries through probate. “Probate” is the legal process by which a court determines who receives a decedent’s assets under... Read more.
• Making Charitable Bequests with Non-U.S. Assets
  Taxpayers who make contributions to qualified charitable organizations are entitled to a tax benefit in the form of a charitable deduction on their income taxes. However, the issue becomes more complex when a non-U.S. citizen makes a... Read more.
• Conservatorships to Manage the Affairs of the Incapacitated
  A “conservator” is a court-appointed individual assigned to handle the daily affairs of those who cannot care for themselves due to physical or mental limitations (the “conservatee”). Conservatorships are... Read more.

• Estate planning for business owners: What happens to your business when you leave?
• Prevent uncertainties with estate planning
• Superstitious roadblocks to proper estate planning
• Money Matters: Reviewing your estate plan
• Remarried after having kids? Here are tips to avoid accidentally disinheriting them

A Trustee's Role

Every trust must have a trustee to properly administer the elements of the trust. Trustees can be individuals, financial institutions or even organizations.

A trustee follows the precise instructions of the trustor (or the trustor’s authorized representative), and also adheres to rules imposed by law.

Prudent Person Rule

Trustees are subject to the “prudent person” rule. This rule states that trustees should use the same standard of care and diligence that any sensible person would use in managing property. Additionally, a trustee should make a strong effort and utilize all of his/her skills in caring for the trustor’s property.

Responsibilities

A trustee has the duty to accomplish the following:

• Administer internal affairs
• Manage property
• Invest property
• Distribute income and principal
• Deal with beneficiaries impartially
• Use discretion over the important areas of the trust

Beneficiaries

A trustee has a fiduciary duty to the trust’s beneficiaries as well as to the trustor. In dealing with beneficiaries, a trustee should:

• Use property only for the beneficiaries’ interest
• Disclose important facts
• Provide additional information related to the trust upon request of the beneficiaries

Improper Activity

A trustee should not:

• Use trust property for personal benefit or purposes not related to the trust
• Acquire interests in conflict with those of the beneficiary
• Sell property to himself/herself
• Delegate his/her duties to another individual

If a trustee is suspected of improper activity or misuse of his/her discretionary decision-making powers, the court will review the trustee’s actions after a petition is filed by the trustor or any beneficiary. A trustee may also petition the court for a review if beneficiaries question his/her decisions.

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