Choosing the right trustee can make or break the success of your estate plan. The person or institution you select will have the legal duty to manage your trust assets, follow your instructions, and act in the best interests of your beneficiaries. If you’re asking yourself how to choose the right trustee for your estate plan in California, you’re not alone—it’s one of the most important and personal decisions in the estate planning process.
What Does a Trustee Do?
A trustee is legally responsible for administering the trust according to the terms you set. As discussed in this article from NerdWallet, trustee responsibilities may include:
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Managing investments and real estate
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Distributing assets to beneficiaries
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Paying taxes and expenses
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Keeping accurate records and reporting to beneficiaries
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Making difficult decisions about timing and discretion
It’s not just about financial acumen—it’s about trust, judgment, and long-term reliability.
Qualities to Look for in a Trustee
Selecting a trustee isn’t always as simple as naming your oldest child or closest friend. According to the LA Times, many people automatically choose family members without fully considering whether that person has the time, temperament, or skill to handle the role.
Here are key traits to consider:
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Trustworthiness: This seems obvious, but the trustee will control access to family wealth. Integrity is essential.
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Financial competence: They don’t have to be a CPA, but they should understand basic money management or know when to hire professionals.
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Objectivity: Emotional entanglements can lead to conflict. A neutral party may be preferable in contentious family situations.
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Communication skills: The trustee must regularly interact with beneficiaries and professionals like attorneys and accountants.
As AARP notes, naming someone simply out of obligation—such as the oldest child—can be a mistake if they lack these critical qualities.
Should You Use a Professional Trustee?
If no individual in your circle fits the bill, consider appointing a professional trustee—such as a bank, trust company, or private fiduciary. These entities bring experience, neutrality, and continuity. However, they also come with fees, typically ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% of the trust’s annual value.
Professional trustees are often a good option when:
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Your trust will last for many years (e.g., for young or special needs beneficiaries)
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You want to avoid family conflict
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You have complex assets, such as business interests or significant investments
According to Forbes, professional fiduciaries are held to a strict legal standard and are required to keep detailed records, provide statements, and stay compliant with changing tax and trust laws.
When to Consider a Co-Trustee
In some cases, you may want to appoint co-trustees, such as a family member and a professional trustee working together. This approach allows you to combine personal insight with professional expertise—but it can also lead to conflict or slow decision-making if the co-trustees don’t work well together.
Make sure to consider:
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Whether your co-trustees are likely to cooperate
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How tie-breaking authority will be handled
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What happens if one trustee steps down or becomes incapacitated
Review and Update Regularly
Your trustee decision should evolve with your circumstances. Reassess your choice if:
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Your chosen trustee moves, ages, or develops health issues
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Family dynamics change
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Your estate grows significantly or becomes more complex
Your estate planning attorney can help you update your documents to reflect new preferences and make sure your successor trustees are clearly designated.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how to choose the right trustee, the key is to focus on reliability, fairness, and capability—not just familiarity. In some cases, the best trustee isn’t a family member at all. At David Knecht Law, we guide clients through every step of the estate planning process, including trustee selection, to ensure their wishes are honored and their legacies protected.
Need help with a trust or estate plan? Contact David Knecht Law at (707) 451-4502 today to schedule a consultation.
