Living Trust in Bellevue: How to Choose a Trustee

If you are interested in creating a living trust, one of the most important questions to answer is this: who are you going to name as your successor trustee? In short, this person takes over your trust after your death or if you become incapacitated.

This is a big decision, so you should consider all your options before making a choice. It is common to choose a spouse, adult child, or close relative or friend; however, these are not your only options.

Questions to Answer

As you attempt to make a sound decision, here are some of the many questions you need to answer:

• Is the person you are interested in selecting up to the task?
• Is there any reason to believe that the person you are choosing may not be the best person?
• Would you be better off selecting an attorney to act as trustee as opposed to a family member or friend?

Choosing a Family Member or Friend

If you are like most people creating a living trust, you will choose a spouse or adult child to act as the successor trustee. Since this arrangement typically works out for the best, most people tend to move in this direction.

Note: one of the primary benefits of selecting a family member is that the person may take on the task free of charge.

Whether or not this is an option is based on your family situation. Would it be too much on your spouse to take care of you, if incapacitated, while also being in charge of the responsibilities of a trustee? If you have more than one child, will you make waves by choosing one person over the other?

The most important thing to remember is that your trustee must be honest, reliable, and willing to take on this task regardless of what comes their way.

Getting Legal Help with Creating a Living Trust in Bellevue

Do you still have questions about how to choose a trustee for your living trust in Bellevue? In this case, speak with an experienced Bellevue estate planning attorney about your options. Over the years, we have helped many people better understand their situation, ensuring that they make the decision that is best for them and their family.

Feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience. We are more than happy to help you create a living trust in Bellevue and choose a trustee while doing so.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Stephen Waltar

Attorney at Legacy Estate Planning, LLC

Steve was born on March 15, 1962, in Boston, Massachusetts. His true roots, however, are firmly planted in the Pacific Northwest. Steve grew up in Richland, Washington and moved to Seattle in 1980 to attend college (Seattle Pacific University, B.A., cum laude, 1984). He lived in Princeton, New Jersey for three years during graduate school (Princeton Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1988). Steve returned to Puget Sound to attend law school in Tacoma (University of Puget Sound/Seattle University, J.D., 1993). He was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1994. Steve is also admitted to practice in United States District Court, Western District of Washington.

Latest posts by Stephen Waltar (see all)

• What Everyone Should Know about Financial Exploitation of the Elderly - November 27, 2023
• The Lessons from Lisa Marie - July 27, 2023
• Best in the PNW: Vote for Legacy Estate Planning! - June 27, 2023