Q&A

How old do you have to be to be a trustee of a trust?

How old do you have to be to be a trustee of a trust?

A trustee plays a vital role in a trust – in fact, without a trustee, a trust cannot be administered and beneficiaries cannot enjoy the benefits that are theirs under the terms of the trust. So long as a person is over the age of 18 years and is of sound mind at the time of the appointment, a trustee can be just about anyone.

Can a person under 18 be a beneficiary of a trust?

Distributions are made by default to these beneficiaries unless the trustee decides they’d like to distribute it to others. Can People Under 18 Be a Beneficiary? Yes, but you should be aware that if a trustee distributes income to someone under the age of 18, they will be subject to a substantial amount of tax.

Can a trustee refuse to be appointed to a trust?

Refuse appointment as a trustee or relinquishment of the trustee position. A trustee named in a trust document has the power to either refuse his or her appointment as trustee of the trust or give up the position after he or she has accepted it.

What are the risks of being a trustee of a trust?

Importantly, acting as a trustee can expose you to significant risks. Trustees must always act in the trust’s best interests. They are unable to conduct any activity which may further their interests ahead of the trust. For example, a trustee cannot sell their property to a trust.

A trustee plays a vital role in a trust – in fact, without a trustee, a trust cannot be administered and beneficiaries cannot enjoy the benefits that are theirs under the terms of the trust. So long as a person is over the age of 18 years and is of sound mind at the time of the appointment, a trustee can be just about anyone.

When is a trustee supposed to give you money?

The trustee is supposed to give you your money, especially if it’s an outright distribution. If the trust terms say that you’re supposed to receive a gift outright, then the trustee is supposed to give you that money.

Refuse appointment as a trustee or relinquishment of the trustee position. A trustee named in a trust document has the power to either refuse his or her appointment as trustee of the trust or give up the position after he or she has accepted it.

Can a trustee require a beneficiary to sign a release?

a Trustee cannot require a beneficiary to sign a release in exchange for making a distribution of Trust assets, provided that the Trust distribution is required to be made as stated in the Trust document.