Complete Guide to Irrevocable Trusts for East Chattanooga Residents
Irrevocable trusts are a durable tool often used in estate planning to manage assets, protect wealth, and provide long-term clarity for families in East Chattanooga. This page explains how an irrevocable trust works, what it can accomplish for your estate plan, and the common reasons people consider one. We focus on practical steps, local considerations for Hamilton County and Tennessee law, and ways to align a trust with your wishes for asset distribution, care of loved ones, and potential tax considerations. Understanding these basics helps you decide whether an irrevocable trust fits your goals and circumstances.
Choosing an irrevocable trust involves careful thought about control, beneficiaries, and future needs. Once assets are transferred into an irrevocable trust they are typically removed from your personal ownership, which can change how those assets are treated for taxes, creditor claims, and public probate proceedings. For many East Chattanooga families, this shift provides reassurance that property will be managed according to explicit terms. This section outlines the tradeoffs involved, describes common applications such as long-term care planning and asset protection, and suggests questions to ask when evaluating a trust as part of a broader estate plan.
Why Irrevocable Trusts Matter for Your Family and Estate Plan
An irrevocable trust can offer important benefits for long-term planning by creating a clear legal arrangement for asset management and distribution. It is often used to protect assets from certain claims, to structure benefits for beneficiaries with special needs, or to manage funds for minors or those who cannot manage money responsibly on their own. Additionally, these trusts can reduce the assets subject to probate and provide continuity in asset administration. For residents of East Chattanooga, integrating an irrevocable trust into an estate plan can help preserve family wealth and ensure that intentions are honored under Tennessee law.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Irrevocable Trusts
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients in Hendersonville, East Chattanooga and throughout Hamilton County with practical estate planning and probate services. Our approach centers on listening to family priorities, explaining how different tools work under Tennessee law, and drafting clear, durable documents that reflect those priorities. We have guided many households through the decisions involved in trust creation, trustee selection, and funding a trust. Clients consistently find value in straightforward explanations, careful document drafting, and ongoing support to adapt plans as circumstances change over time.
Understanding Irrevocable Trusts: Key Facts and Considerations
An irrevocable trust is a legal arrangement where the grantor transfers assets into a trust that cannot typically be altered or revoked once completed. This structure changes ownership of the assets and places them under the control of a trustee who manages them for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. In Tennessee, the terms of the trust and how assets are funded are central to its effectiveness. Common goals include protecting assets from certain risks, planning for long-term care expenses, and reducing the estate subject to probate. Understanding these elements helps you align the trust with family objectives and legal requirements.
Because an irrevocable trust limits the grantor’s ability to change or reclaim assets, careful planning before creation is essential. Consider who will serve as trustee, who benefits from the trust, what powers the trustee will have, and how distributions should be structured to meet your goals. Funding the trust properly is another key step; assets must be retitled or transferred into the trust to achieve the intended outcomes. For many Tennessee residents, working through these decisions with a clear plan reduces the chance of unintended consequences and helps ensure that the trust operates as intended for beneficiaries.
What an Irrevocable Trust Is and How It Works
An irrevocable trust is a transfer of ownership where the grantor places assets into a trust with terms that generally cannot be changed later. The trustee holds and manages the assets according to the trust document for named beneficiaries. This separation of ownership often provides benefits such as protection from certain types of claims and a way to control how assets are distributed after the grantor’s incapacity or death. The trust document defines trustee duties, distribution schedules, and any conditions or powers. Understanding the specific provisions helps families design a trust that meets both protection and distribution goals.
Key Elements and Steps in Creating an Irrevocable Trust
Creating an irrevocable trust includes several important elements: drafting trust terms, naming a trustee and successor trustees, identifying beneficiaries, and funding the trust by transferring ownership of assets into it. The process begins with clarifying objectives such as asset protection, eligibility for benefits, or tax planning. Next, the trust document is drafted to reflect those objectives and to provide guidance on trustee powers and distribution rules. Finally, funding the trust ensures assets are placed under the trust’s authority. Attention to each step is necessary to ensure the trust functions as intended and aligns with Tennessee legal requirements.
Key Terms and Trust-Related Definitions for Tennessee Residents
This glossary explains common terms encountered when considering an irrevocable trust in East Chattanooga. Definitions clarify the roles and responsibilities involved, helping you read trust documents with confidence. Terms covered include grantor, trustee, beneficiary, funding, and distribution provisions. Knowing these concepts makes it easier to compare options and to ask informed questions when drafting documents. The purpose is to remove ambiguity so families can make deliberate choices about who manages assets, how benefits are paid, and what conditions apply to distributions under Tennessee law.
Grantor
The grantor is the individual who creates the trust and transfers assets into it. By establishing an irrevocable trust, the grantor gives up ownership and certain controls over those assets to accomplish planning goals. The grantor’s intent and the language in the trust document determine how assets are to be managed and distributed. In many situations the grantor works closely with advisors to define the trust terms, choose a trustee, and ensure assets are properly transferred to effectuate the trust’s purposes under Tennessee law and the family’s objectives.
Trustee
The trustee is the person or institution charged with holding and managing trust assets according to the trust document. This role includes duties such as investing assets prudently, keeping accurate records, communicating with beneficiaries, and making distributions as directed. Trustees also handle tax filings and may need to coordinate with financial institutions to manage trust property. Choosing the right trustee and defining their powers in the trust agreement are important decisions that affect how smoothly the trust operates and how well it meets the grantor’s and beneficiaries’ needs.
Beneficiary
A beneficiary is an individual or entity designated to receive benefits from the trust. Beneficiaries may receive income, principal, or other defined distributions according to the trust terms. The trust document can set conditions, schedules, or guidelines for how and when beneficiaries receive assets. For instance, distributions can be made for health, education, maintenance, and support, or they can be structured over time. Clear beneficiary designations and instructions help prevent confusion and reduce the likelihood of disputes when distributions are due to be made.
Funding
Funding a trust means transferring assets into the trust so that the trust holds legal title to them. Proper funding is essential for the trust to work as intended; without transferring ownership, the assets remain outside the trust and may still be subject to probate or other claims. Funding can involve retitling real estate, moving bank or investment accounts, and updating beneficiary designations. Careful attention to each asset type and the necessary formal steps in Tennessee ensures the trust achieves its goals for asset management and distribution.
Comparing Irrevocable Trusts with Other Estate Planning Choices
When deciding on an estate planning path, it helps to compare irrevocable trusts with alternatives like revocable trusts, wills, and beneficiary designations. A revocable trust offers flexibility because the grantor can change or revoke it, but it does not provide the same level of asset protection. Wills must pass through probate and often lack privacy. Beneficiary designations work for certain accounts but offer limited control over post-death management. An irrevocable trust trades flexibility for stronger protections and potential benefits in qualifying for certain programs. The choice depends on priorities related to control, protection, and administrative simplicity.
When a Limited Planning Approach May Be Appropriate:
Simple Asset Transfer Needs
A limited approach can be suitable when the primary goal is to transfer a few assets smoothly to heirs without complex restrictions. For households with modest holdings and clear beneficiary relationships, ensuring accounts have up-to-date beneficiary designations and using a simple will or a revocable trust may address immediate concerns. These options reduce administrative burden and allow for greater flexibility if circumstances change. In East Chattanooga, some families find that straightforward steps, properly executed, meet their objectives without adding the long-term restrictions associated with an irrevocable trust.
Need for Ongoing Control
When retaining the ability to change plans is a priority, a limited approach may be better than an irrevocable trust because it preserves control. Revocable trusts and transferable beneficiary designations allow grantors to adjust arrangements as family dynamics shift or financial situations evolve. This flexibility is important for those who foresee life changes such as remarriage, changing caregiving needs, or evolving financial goals. Choosing a less restrictive option can provide peace of mind while still accomplishing many practical estate planning tasks important to East Chattanooga residents.
When a Comprehensive Irrevocable Trust Strategy Is Advisable:
Protecting Assets from Specific Risks
A comprehensive approach with an irrevocable trust may be appropriate when protecting assets from potential future claims or qualifying for government benefits is a priority. For example, families concerned about long-term care costs or protecting assets for heirs with special needs often find value in the structure an irrevocable trust provides. A thoughtful plan anticipates future contingencies, defines trustee powers, and coordinates with other estate planning documents to maintain clarity and legal effectiveness under Tennessee law, helping ensure assets are managed as intended over the long term.
Complex Family or Financial Situations
When family relationships, multiple marriages, business ownership, or significant assets are involved, a comprehensive trust strategy can help address competing interests and reduce future conflict. Irrevocable trusts allow for tailored distribution rules, asset protection mechanisms, and succession planning for closely held businesses. The trust language can include guidance on distributions, management, and successor trustees to create continuity. In East Chattanooga, families with complex needs often benefit from a detailed plan that balances protection, control, and clarity about how assets should be handled across generations.
Advantages of Taking a Comprehensive Trust-Based Approach
A comprehensive approach to irrevocable trusts combines careful drafting, proper funding, and aligned beneficiary designations to deliver predictable results. This method reduces the chance of disputes, clarifies the trustee’s duties, and sets clear distribution rules for beneficiaries. By addressing tax, Medicaid, and asset protection considerations within a cohesive plan, families can manage risks and provide stability for future generations. For residents of Hamilton County, a coordinated plan helps navigate Tennessee law and local procedures while ensuring documents reflect individual goals and family dynamics.
Comprehensive planning also promotes continuity in the event of incapacity or death by naming successor trustees and detailing how decisions should be made. It can streamline administration and reduce the time and cost associated with probate for assets placed in the trust. Clear instructions for distribution and management minimize ambiguity and help trustees meet obligations efficiently. For many families in East Chattanooga, this thoroughness translates into greater confidence that assets will be preserved and used according to the grantor’s documented intentions.
Greater Asset Protection and Predictability
A primary benefit of a thorough irrevocable trust plan is increased protection of assets by removing certain property from the grantor’s personal estate. This separation can limit exposure to specific claims and provide structured, predictable outcomes for beneficiaries. When combined with careful funding and clear trustee instructions, a trust helps ensure that distributions occur according to plan rather than through post-death court proceedings. For East Chattanooga families, this predictability offers reassurance that important financial resources will be preserved and allocated as intended over time.
Improved Long-Term Care and Benefit Planning
Irrevocable trusts can be designed to assist with planning for long-term care needs and eligibility for certain public benefit programs. By structuring asset ownership and timing of transfers appropriately, families may better position themselves to manage care costs while providing for beneficiaries. Trust provisions can also create funds specifically for medical, housing, or support needs, giving trustees clear authority to act. For residents of Tennessee, careful coordination with healthcare planning and benefit rules helps create a sustainable financial plan that addresses likely future needs without compromising family goals.
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Practical Pro Tips for Irrevocable Trusts
Start with Clear Goals
Before creating an irrevocable trust, define your primary objectives such as asset protection, benefit eligibility, or legacy planning. Clear goals guide decisions about trustee selection, beneficiary terms, and the powers granted within the trust document. Having a well-articulated purpose helps ensure the trust language supports desired outcomes and reduces the likelihood of future disputes. Take time to list priorities, anticipated future needs, and family circumstances that should influence trust provisions, and use that list as the foundation for drafting a plan tailored to your East Chattanooga household.
Fund the Trust Properly
Choose Trustees Thoughtfully
Selecting a trustee is a pivotal decision because that person or institution will carry out the trust’s instructions. Consider candidates who demonstrate good judgment, financial responsibility, and the ability to communicate with beneficiaries. Naming successor trustees provides continuity if the initial trustee is unable to serve. You may also outline the scope of trustee powers and required reporting to beneficiaries to ensure accountability. Clear trustee guidelines in the trust document reduce uncertainty and promote efficient administration under Tennessee law.
Reasons to Consider an Irrevocable Trust in Your Estate Plan
People consider irrevocable trusts for various reasons including protecting assets from certain claims, preparing for long-term care costs, or providing structured support for beneficiaries who may need oversight. The trust’s terms and the decision to fund it should align with broader financial and family objectives. For those with significant holdings, business interests, or concerns about Medicaid eligibility, a trust can offer a formal mechanism to arrange distributions and management of assets. Evaluating how these outcomes fit with personal goals is the first step toward deciding whether an irrevocable trust makes sense.
Another reason to consider this service is to reduce the administrative burden and public nature of probate for assets placed properly in the trust. With clear trust provisions and successor trustees named, families often experience smoother transitions in management and distribution. Trusts also provide flexibility in defining conditions for distributions, which can support education, health, or ongoing support needs for beneficiaries. Ultimately, the decision hinges on balancing the desire for permanence and protection against the loss of direct control over transferred assets.
Common Situations Where an Irrevocable Trust Is Often Used
Irrevocable trusts are often used in situations such as planning for long-term care, protecting assets from potential creditor claims, providing for a family member with special needs, or arranging succession for business interests. They are also chosen when a grantor wants to make specific, enforceable provisions for beneficiaries over time. Each circumstance calls for tailored trust language and careful attention to funding and administration. Evaluating these factors in the context of Tennessee law helps families determine whether this tool aligns with their goals for asset management and legacy planning.
Planning for Long-Term Care
When long-term care is a concern, an irrevocable trust can be part of a strategy to protect assets while seeking eligibility for certain benefits. Properly structured transfers and timing may help position assets outside the countable estate for benefits purposes. This approach requires careful planning and knowledge of applicable rules to avoid unintended consequences. Families should review how trust provisions, funding, and timing interact with healthcare planning objectives so they can make informed decisions based on their particular financial and personal circumstances.
Protecting Assets for Heirs
An irrevocable trust can ensure that assets intended for heirs are preserved and managed according to the grantor’s wishes, especially when beneficiaries are minors or may need oversight. By specifying distribution conditions and appointing a responsible trustee, a trust provides a framework for long-term stewardship of assets. This can be particularly important for family members who are young, in fragile financial situations, or who require structured support to prevent rapid depletion of resources intended for their benefit.
Business Succession and Estate Liquidity
For business owners, an irrevocable trust can be used to arrange succession and provide liquidity for estate obligations without forcing piecemeal sales. Trust provisions can set terms for ownership transfers, management roles, or the sale of business interests to fund obligations. Incorporating business succession planning into a trust helps provide continuity and clarify expectations for family members who may inherit or manage a company, while also addressing financial needs that arise at the time of incapacity or death.
East Chattanooga Irrevocable Trust Services — Local Guidance
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients in East Chattanooga and nearby Hamilton County communities with tailored trust planning and estate administration services. We focus on clear communication about the legal and practical implications of trust options under Tennessee law and on drafting documents that reflect client goals. Whether you are considering asset protection, long-term care planning, or structured distributions for beneficiaries, our team can explain choices, draft appropriate language, and help ensure assets are properly funded to achieve the desired outcomes.
Why Clients Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Trust Planning
Clients select our firm because we prioritize practical, client-focused planning that addresses both immediate concerns and long-term family goals. We take time to understand your financial picture and priorities so that trust documents align with your values and needs. Our team guides you through trustee selection, funding steps, and drafting clear distribution rules to minimize uncertainty and administrative burden for beneficiaries. This careful approach helps families create durable plans suited to Tennessee law and local procedures.
We also emphasize communication and accessibility, providing straightforward explanations about how trust provisions operate and what actions are required to preserve the trust’s benefits. Clients appreciate having a plan that anticipates common issues and includes contingencies for changing circumstances. We assist with coordination among financial institutions and advisors to ensure that assets are transferred into the trust correctly and that the overall estate plan is integrated and effective for your specific objectives.
Finally, our firm helps clients prepare for the practical administration of a trust by outlining trustee responsibilities and reporting expectations to beneficiaries. Clear instructions and succession planning reduce the likelihood of disputes and ease transitions during difficult times. For families in East Chattanooga, this level of preparation creates greater certainty that the trust will operate smoothly and that assets will be used in accordance with the grantor’s stated intentions.
Get a Clear, Practical Irrevocable Trust Plan for Your Family
How the Irrevocable Trust Process Works at Our Firm
Our process begins with a thorough consultation to identify your goals, family situation, and the assets you wish to place in a trust. From there we draft trust documents tailored to your needs, recommend trustee arrangements, and outline the steps required to fund the trust. We coordinate with financial institutions and other advisors to ensure transfers are handled correctly. After the trust is established, we can provide guidance for ongoing administration and updates as circumstances evolve, helping maintain the plan’s effectiveness over time under Tennessee law.
Step 1: Initial Planning and Goal Identification
The first step is a detailed conversation about goals, assets, and family dynamics so we can determine whether an irrevocable trust is appropriate. This discussion covers potential benefits and tradeoffs, identifies beneficiaries, and addresses timing and funding considerations. Understanding your objectives allows us to recommend specific provisions and drafting approaches that align with Tennessee law and local needs. Clear initial planning sets the stage for precise document drafting and effective trust funding, reducing the chance of unintended outcomes later.
Identifying Assets and Objectives
During this phase we compile a list of assets to be included in the trust, such as real estate, investment accounts, and business interests, and discuss how each asset should be managed or distributed. We also clarify the primary objectives of the trust, whether for care planning, asset protection, or legacy purposes. This information guides the structure of the trust document and helps determine the specific powers and duties that should be granted to the trustee to carry out your intentions effectively.
Selecting Trustees and Beneficiary Terms
We discuss who should serve as trustee and successor trustees, ensuring those choices align with the trust’s goals and the family’s needs. We also help define beneficiary categories, timing of distributions, and any conditions or standards for payments. Clear beneficiary terms reduce ambiguity and help trustees make decisions consistent with the grantor’s wishes. Careful consideration of these elements during planning supports orderly administration and reduces the potential for conflict among beneficiaries.
Step 2: Document Drafting and Review
Once objectives are set, we draft the trust document and related estate planning instruments with language customized to your intentions. The draft includes trustee powers, distribution standards, successor trustee provisions, and any tax or benefit planning elements to consider. We review the documents with you, explain each provision in plain language, and make adjustments as needed to ensure the trust reflects your priorities. This collaborative drafting phase aims to produce documents that are clear, durable, and effective under Tennessee law.
Drafting Trust Provisions
In drafting trust provisions we focus on clarity in trustee authority, distribution conditions, and processes for successor appointment. Specific language addresses how distributions are to be made, standards for discretionary payments, and reporting requirements to beneficiaries. We also include provisions to handle potential disputes or unforeseen circumstances. The goal is to create a trust that a trustee can administer with confidence and that beneficiaries can understand, reducing friction and ambiguity in future administration.
Review and Client Approval
After preparing the draft, we review the documents with you to confirm that the terms reflect your intentions and address practical concerns. We explain the legal effects of major clauses, suggest refinements based on typical scenarios, and make changes as requested. This review ensures you are comfortable with the final language and understand the steps needed to fund the trust. Client approval at this stage is important before signing and executing any documents that will affect ownership of assets.
Step 3: Funding the Trust and Implementation
Funding the trust is a critical step that transfers assets into the trust to make it effective. We assist in retitling property, updating account ownership, revising beneficiary designations when appropriate, and preparing any necessary transfer instruments. Completing these administrative steps creates legal ownership by the trust and allows it to function as intended. We also provide guidance on ongoing recordkeeping and trustee responsibilities to maintain the integrity of the trust over time.
Transferring Real Property and Accounts
Transferring real estate into the trust generally requires a deed or other instrument to convey title, while bank and investment accounts often require new account registration under the trust name. We guide clients through these transactions and coordinate with title companies or financial institutions as needed. Proper documentation and careful attention to detail prevent assets from remaining outside the trust and exposed to probate or other claims, preserving the trust’s intended benefits for beneficiaries.
Post-Implementation Guidance
After the trust is funded, we provide guidance on trustee recordkeeping, tax filing considerations, and periodic reviews to ensure the plan continues to meet goals. Life events such as births, deaths, marriages, or changes in financial circumstances may suggest updates. Regular check-ins help confirm that asset ownership remains properly aligned with the trust and that beneficiary designations continue to support the overall plan. Ongoing attention keeps the trust effective for the long term and helps avoid surprises during administration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Irrevocable Trusts
What are the differences between irrevocable and revocable trusts?
An irrevocable trust and a revocable trust serve different purposes. A revocable trust allows the grantor to retain control and the ability to amend or revoke the trust during their lifetime, providing flexibility and a tool to avoid probate for assets properly funded into the trust. In contrast, an irrevocable trust generally transfers ownership of assets out of the grantor’s estate and limits the ability to change the terms, offering protection and certain planning benefits that may not be available with a revocable arrangement. The tradeoff is permanence versus flexibility. Comparing these options requires examining goals, family needs, and the degree of protection desired under Tennessee law.
Can I change or revoke an irrevocable trust after it is created?
Generally, once an irrevocable trust is properly executed and funded, the grantor has limited ability to change or revoke the arrangement. Some trusts include limited reserved powers or provisions that allow modification under specific conditions, but these are exceptions rather than the rule. In certain circumstances, court approval or agreement of beneficiaries may be needed to modify terms. It is important to understand the implications before funding an irrevocable trust because the decision to transfer ownership of assets is often permanent and affects how those assets are managed and distributed in the future.
How does funding a trust affect probate and estate administration?
Assets held by an irrevocable trust are typically not subject to probate because they are owned by the trust rather than the individual at death. This can reduce the assets that pass through probate court and can provide a more private and often quicker process for beneficiaries to receive distributions. Proper funding is required to achieve these results; assets left outside the trust may still go through probate. Coordination between trust documents and other estate planning instruments helps ensure that the desired assets are placed in the trust and that administration proceeds efficiently under Tennessee procedures.
Will placing assets in an irrevocable trust affect my eligibility for benefits?
Whether an irrevocable trust affects eligibility for public benefits depends on the type of trust and the timing of transfers. Certain irrevocable trust structures can be used to position assets so they are not counted for eligibility purposes, but these approaches require careful planning and adherence to specific rules and timeframes. Transferring assets too close to applying for benefits can create complications. Families should evaluate the interaction between trust planning and benefit rules before making transfers, and plan well in advance to achieve intended outcomes without unintended consequences.
Who should I name as trustee and successor trustee?
Choosing a trustee involves balancing availability, judgment, and reliability. A trustee must manage trust assets prudently, communicate with beneficiaries, and follow the trust terms. Some choose a trusted family member, while others prefer a professional or institutional trustee to provide continuity and administrative support. Naming successor trustees ensures leadership if the initial trustee cannot serve. It is important to clearly outline trustee powers and reporting requirements in the trust document to guide their actions and provide accountability for decisions made on behalf of beneficiaries.
What steps are required to transfer real estate into a trust?
Transferring real estate into a trust typically requires a deed or conveyance that changes title from an individual to the trust. The deed must be prepared with correct legal descriptions and properly recorded to reflect the trust as the owner. It is important to review mortgage or lien considerations and to coordinate with the county recorder or title company to complete the transfer. Properly transferring property ensures it is governed by the trust terms and reduces the likelihood that the property will be subject to probate after the grantor’s death.
How are beneficiaries protected and informed about trust distributions?
Beneficiaries can be protected through clear distribution terms, trustee reporting requirements, and successor trustee provisions in the trust document. The trust can specify standards for discretionary distributions, earmark funds for particular purposes, and set schedules for payments to reduce the potential for misuse. Trustees are typically required to maintain records and provide accountings to beneficiaries, creating transparency and oversight. Well-drafted provisions reduce ambiguity and help ensure beneficiaries understand how and when they may receive trust benefits.
What tax considerations come with an irrevocable trust in Tennessee?
Irrevocable trusts can have tax implications for the grantor, trustee, and beneficiaries depending on how income is distributed and how the trust is structured. Some trusts have separate tax identification and require annual tax filings, while others may cause income to be taxed to the beneficiaries. Considering federal and state tax rules is an important part of drafting and funding a trust. Planning ahead can help manage potential tax burdens and align trust distributions with tax-efficient strategies suitable for the family’s financial situation.
How long does it take to create and fund an irrevocable trust?
The timeline to create and fund an irrevocable trust varies based on complexity and the types of assets involved. Drafting the trust documents typically takes a few weeks, depending on the level of customization and review needed. Funding the trust can add time if property transfers, retitling accounts, or coordination with financial institutions is required. For straightforward cases, the process may be completed within a month, while more complex estates or business interests could take longer. Planning ahead helps ensure the trust is fully implemented when needed.
What if a trustee fails to follow the trust terms?
If a trustee fails to follow the trust terms, beneficiaries may have remedies including requesting an accounting, seeking mediation, or pursuing court action to enforce the trust or remove the trustee. Trust documents that clearly define duties, reporting requirements, and dispute resolution procedures help address issues without litigation. When disputes arise, prompt communication and documentation of concerns can often resolve misunderstandings. In cases where removal is necessary, Tennessee courts have authority to address trustee misconduct and ensure the trust is administered according to its terms for the beneficiaries’ benefit.