What is a successor beneficiary in a trust?

What is a successor beneficiary in a trust?

Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiary’s qualification is determined. Successor beneficiary means a person entitled to receive income or principal or to use property when an income interest or other current interest ends.

Can someone be both a trustee and beneficiary?

The simple answer is yes, a Trustee can also be a Trust beneficiary. In fact, a majority of Trusts have a Trustee who is also a Trust beneficiary. Being a Trustee and beneficiary can be problematic, however, because the Trustee must still comply with the duties and responsibilities of a Trustee.

How does a successor trustee take over?

Successor trustees can take over immediately upon the death of the original trustor or the preceding trustee. If the original trustor or preceding trustee is still alive, but unable to handle their own affairs — due to dementia or Alzheimer’s, for example — the successor trustee may likewise take over.

What is the difference between a trustee and successor trustee?

For a revocable living trust, that Trustee is usually the person that created the trust. The successor trustee usually takes power when the person that created the trust either becomes incapacitated or has died. The Trustee only manages the assets that are owned by the trust, not assets outside the trust.

What powers does a successor trustee have?

A Successor Trustee is the person responsible for administering and settling a Trust after the creator (called the Grantor) of the Trust dies. A Successor Trustee is also responsible for the Trust in the event the Grantor becomes incapacitated or unable to make decisions.

Can a successor trustee be a beneficiary?

Can the Successor Trustee Be a Beneficiary of the Trust? It’s perfectly legal to name a beneficiary of the trust (someone who will receive trust property after your death) as successor trustee. In fact, it’s common.

Who has more right a trustee or the beneficiary?

The Trustee, who may also be a beneficiary, has the rights to the assets but also has a fiduciary duty to maintain, which, if not done incorrectly, can lead to a contesting of the Trust.

What power does a successor trustee have?

A successor trustee is the person or institution that takes control of the trust assets when the original trustee dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated. A successor trustee’s primary objective is to properly administer the trust assets according to the trust’s terms and in keeping with fiduciary standards.

Can a trustee remove a beneficiary from a trust?

In most cases, a trustee cannot remove a beneficiary from a trust. However, if the trustee is given a power of appointment by the creators of the trust, then the trustee will have the discretion given to them to make some changes, or any changes, pursuant to the terms of the power of appointment.

What does Successor trustee do when trustee dies?

Once you die, your successor trustee will assume control of the trust and the duties of trustee. Most often, these duties include investing the assets of the trust prudently until the time comes to transfer the assets to the beneficiaries.

Is a successor trustee the same as a beneficiary?

A successor trustee is named to step in and manage the trust when the trustee is no longer able to continue (usually due to incapacity or death). The beneficiaries are the persons or organizations who will receive the trust assets after the grantor dies.

Can a trustee withhold money from a beneficiary?

Can a trustee refuse to pay a beneficiary? Yes, a trustee can refuse to pay a beneficiary if the trust allows them to do so. They may be able to pursue a lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty, petition to instruct the trustee to make the requested distribution, or petition the court to have the trustee removed.

Who should I pick to be a successor trustee?

Choosing a Successor Trustee A successor trustee can be a spouse, adult child, other relative, trusted friend, or a corporate trustee. If you chose a non-corporate trustee, it is important to name a sequence of people in case your first choice is unable to act as trustee.

How to choose a good successor trustee?

How to Choose a Good Successor Trustee The basic qualities of a good successor trustee are integrity, good judgment and objectivity. When you create a Revocable Living Trust, you should choose someone trustworthy to assume the role of a “successor trustee,” the person who will manage your trust and its assets after you pass away or become incapacitated.

Who should be your successor trustee?

Who Can Be Successor Trustees . Successor trustees can be your spouse or adult children, other relatives, a trusted friend and/or a professional or corporate trustee (bank trust department or trust company ). If you choose an individual, you should name more than one in case your first choice is unable to act.

How does a successor trustee take over a trust?

A successor trustee is named in a living trust as the person who will take over the trustee’s duties and fulfill provisions of the trust when the trustee dies. The transition process requires trust property to be transferred out of the trustee’s name into the successor trustee’s name.