Should Your Child Be the Trustee of Your Trust? Five Questions to Ask Before Deciding
- Michael Meinhardt
- Aug 6
- 1 min read
Many parents naturally assume one of their children should become trustee.
Sometimes that's the right choice.
Often, it isn't.
Before naming a child, ask these questions.
Do They Have Time?
Trust administration can take hundreds of hours.
Responsibilities include:
Banking
Investments
Tax filings
Property management
Record keeping
Beneficiary communications
Busy professionals may struggle to balance these obligations.
Can They Remain Neutral?
Being a trustee requires impartiality. This becomes especially difficult when siblings disagree. Even fair decisions may be perceived as favoritism.
Are They Financially Experienced?
Trustees manage:
Investments
Budgets
Taxes
Insurance
Property
Business interests
Mistakes may create personal liability.
Will It Damage Family Relationships?
One child serving as trustee may unintentionally strain sibling relationships.
Professional fiduciaries remove this burden from family members.
Would Independence Better Protect Your Legacy?
Independent fiduciaries:
Follow legal standards
Maintain transparency
Document every decision
Reduce conflicts
Protect beneficiaries equally
A Better Alternative:
Many families choose a professional fiduciary either as:
Primary Trustee
Successor Trustee
Co-Trustee alongside a family member
This approach combines family insight with professional expertise.
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