Your Guide to Revocable Living Trusts in White Pine
A revocable living trust can be a practical tool for managing assets during life and arranging a smoother transfer after death. Many families in White Pine consider this option to reduce delays in the distribution of property and to provide greater privacy than a public probate proceeding. This page explains how a revocable living trust works, who might benefit from one, and common steps involved in creating and funding a trust. If you own real estate, accounts, or personal property and want greater control over how those items are handled, understanding this option can help you make informed decisions tailored to your circumstances.
Creating a revocable living trust involves making deliberate decisions about asset ownership, successor trustees, and instructions for distribution. The trust remains changeable during the grantor’s lifetime, allowing adjustments as financial situations, family relationships, and goals evolve. For many White Pine residents, a trust can simplify estate administration, reduce the need for court involvement, and maintain confidentiality about asset distribution. This section gives an overview of the typical considerations, including funding the trust, naming trusted successor decision makers, and preparing related documents to ensure the trust operates as intended when the time comes.
Why a Revocable Living Trust Can Be Beneficial
A revocable living trust can provide several practical benefits for individuals and families concerned about how their assets will be managed and transferred. Among the advantages are the potential to avoid probate court delays, to keep the details of asset distribution private, and to establish a clear plan for management if incapacity occurs. The trust allows the grantor to retain control while alive and to name successors who will step in seamlessly if needed. For households with property in multiple states or with heirs who may require careful oversight, a living trust offers flexibility for tailored distribution and ongoing management under defined terms.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides practical guidance on estate planning matters for individuals and families in White Pine and surrounding areas. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, thorough preparation, and documents that reflect each client’s priorities. We work with clients to identify their goals, explain options in straightforward terms, and draft trust documents designed to function effectively within Tennessee law. Whether you have a simple estate or more complex holdings, we focus on planning that anticipates common challenges and helps minimize delays for loved ones when assets need to be transferred or managed.
Understanding How Revocable Living Trusts Work
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where the grantor transfers ownership of assets into a trust while retaining the ability to modify or revoke the trust during their lifetime. The grantor serves as trustee initially and names successor trustees to manage trust property if the grantor becomes incapacitated or passes away. The trust document sets out instructions for managing assets, paying expenses, and distributing property to beneficiaries. Funding the trust typically requires re-titling assets or changing account designations so that trust ownership is established and the trust operates as intended when the grantor cannot act.
Although a revocable living trust does not remove assets from federal estate taxation in most cases, it can simplify administration by avoiding probate proceedings and allowing for private distribution according to the grantor’s directions. The trust can include provisions to manage assets for minor children, protect heirs who may need oversight, and provide continuity of property management. Properly drafted and funded, a trust becomes the mechanism through which selected decision makers can carry out the grantor’s wishes without the delays and public filings that often accompany probate in Tennessee courts.
What a Revocable Living Trust Means in Practice
A revocable living trust is essentially a written plan for holding and managing assets under terms chosen by the person creating the trust. While the grantor remains alive and capable, they typically keep control of trust assets and can buy, sell, or move property in and out of the trust. The trust becomes especially important when the grantor is incapacitated or dies, because it names a successor trustee to step in and manage or distribute assets in line with the document’s instructions. The goal is to create a predictable path for asset handling that can reduce legal delays and preserve family privacy.
Key Elements and Steps in Establishing a Trust
Creating an effective revocable living trust involves several important elements, including clear identification of the grantor, naming successor trustees and beneficiaries, and listing assets to be included in the trust. Essential steps include drafting the trust document with precise instructions, funding the trust by re-titling property and changing account ownership where appropriate, and preparing related documents like a pour-over will to capture assets not transferred into the trust. Ongoing review and occasional updates help ensure the trust reflects current wishes and integrates with beneficiary designations and retirement account rules.
Key Terms and Glossary for Revocable Living Trusts
Understanding common terms used with revocable living trusts makes it easier to evaluate options and make informed decisions. This glossary section defines important concepts such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, funding, and pour-over will, and explains how those elements function together in a trust arrangement. Learning the terminology helps ensure that documents are interpreted as intended and that asset transfers and successor appointment will operate smoothly. Clear definitions also assist families in discussing plans and expectations with the chosen trustees and beneficiaries before the trust becomes operative.
Grantor
The grantor is the person who creates the revocable living trust and transfers assets into it. As the trust’s initial decision maker, the grantor usually retains the right to change or revoke the trust during their lifetime. The grantor also appoints successor trustees and sets out directions for how the trust should be managed and how assets should be distributed to beneficiaries. Clear identification of the grantor and their intentions helps avoid confusion later and supports smooth transition to named successors if the grantor becomes unable to manage the trust themselves.
Successor Trustee
A successor trustee is the individual or institution appointed to manage trust assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated or dies. This person assumes responsibility for paying expenses, managing investments, and distributing property according to the trust’s instructions. Choosing a successor trustee involves considering reliability, availability, financial understanding, and willingness to act in the role. The successor trustee should be someone trusted by the grantor and able to communicate with beneficiaries to carry out the trust’s objectives without unnecessary delay or conflict.
Beneficiary
A beneficiary is a person or entity designated to receive property from the trust under the terms set by the grantor. Beneficiaries may receive outright distributions, phased payments, or distributions under conditions such as reaching a specified age or meeting certain needs. The trust can name alternate beneficiaries to receive assets if a primary beneficiary predeceases the grantor. Clear beneficiary designations help ensure assets are distributed as intended and reduce the likelihood of disputes among heirs or claimants after the grantor’s passing.
Funding and Pour-Over Will
Funding a trust refers to the process of transferring assets into the trust so they are owned by the trust entity and subject to its terms. A pour-over will is a backup document that directs any assets not transferred into the trust during the grantor’s lifetime to be placed into the trust upon death. While a pour-over will provides a safety net, fully funding the trust ahead of time reduces the need for probate procedures. Regular review of asset titles, account beneficiaries, and estate documents helps maintain the intended funding status and prevent unintended probate administration.
Comparing Estate Planning Options: Trusts and Alternatives
When considering a revocable living trust, it helps to compare that option with other estate planning tools such as wills, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership arrangements. A will controls distribution through probate, while beneficiary designations and jointly titled accounts can transfer outside of probate to named recipients. A revocable trust offers a consolidated approach for many assets, allowing smoother management and private distribution. The right choice depends on the amount and types of assets, family circumstances, and objectives for privacy and continuity. Evaluating pros and cons in light of local Tennessee procedures helps shape an effective plan.
When a Simpler Plan May Be Sufficient:
Small Estates and Clear Beneficiary Designations
For some households, particularly those with limited assets or straightforward beneficiary designations, a full trust may not be necessary. Retirement accounts, life insurance, and payable-on-death accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries and can accomplish simple transfer goals without trust administration. Small estates may qualify for simplified probate procedures in Tennessee, reducing the time and expense involved. In these cases, focusing on up-to-date beneficiary designations, a durable power of attorney, and a will that directs final wishes may provide sufficient protection and clarity for surviving family members.
Clear Family Communication and Minimal Risk of Disputes
If family relationships are cohesive and heirs are in agreement about distribution, streamlined documents can work well. When heirs are informed and comfortable with the plan, simpler arrangements reduce administrative overhead and avoid creating additional complexity. Regular conversations about wishes and practical arrangements can minimize surprises and lessen the potential for disagreements. A straightforward plan that aligns with the grantor’s priorities and is regularly reviewed to reflect life changes often meets the needs of households with uncomplicated asset structures and cooperative family dynamics.
When a Comprehensive Trust Plan Is Advisable:
Complex Assets or Multi-State Property
A comprehensive trust plan is often recommended when a person owns real estate in multiple states, complex investments, or business interests that require coordinated management and planning. In such situations, a trust can help centralize control and provide a clear succession path that works across jurisdictions. It can also reduce the likelihood of parallel probate procedures in different states and provide continuity for business operations or rental properties. Careful drafting ensures that the trust addresses creditor claims, tax considerations, and practical administration for trustees who will manage these diverse assets.
Protecting Vulnerable or Young Beneficiaries
When beneficiaries include minors, individuals with special needs, or those who may struggle to manage money responsibly, a trust allows the grantor to establish structured distributions and oversight. Trust terms can specify when and how funds should be used for education, healthcare, and living expenses, and can appoint a trusted trustee or professional fiduciary to carry out those instructions. This approach helps ensure that inherited assets are used as intended while protecting them from mismanagement or outside claims, offering peace of mind that beneficiaries will receive support according to the grantor’s plan.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Revocable Living Trust
A comprehensive revocable living trust can create a clearer roadmap for asset management and distribution, particularly for families with diverse holdings or long-term concerns. It can reduce the time and publicity associated with probate, provide a seamless transition of responsibilities, and allow for tailored instructions that address contingencies such as incapacity. By consolidating asset ownership within the trust and pairing that structure with complementary documents, individuals can build a plan that aligns with their goals for privacy, continuity, and protection of loved ones against potential legal hurdles after death.
Beyond probate avoidance, a fully considered trust arrangement supports ongoing management that reflects the grantor’s wishes, including staged distributions, provisions for care of dependents, and guidance for successor trustees. The trust can integrate with powers of attorney and healthcare directives to create a cohesive plan that addresses both financial and personal decision making. Periodic review and updating of the trust ensure it remains aligned with changing laws, family circumstances, and financial positions, helping to preserve the grantor’s intentions over time.
Greater Privacy and Faster Asset Transfer
Using a revocable living trust can keep the details of asset distribution out of public probate records, which many families prefer for privacy reasons. Since the trust typically allows assets to transfer under its terms without court supervision, beneficiaries often receive access to assets more quickly than they would through probate. This can be especially helpful when immediate funds are needed to cover final expenses or ongoing household costs. The trust structure also reduces the need for court involvement in routine matters, allowing trusted successors to manage affairs more directly and in accordance with the grantor’s written instructions.
Continuity of Management During Incapacity
A well-drafted revocable living trust provides a mechanism for managing assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated, without requiring a court-appointed guardian. The successor trustee named in the trust can step in to handle bills, investments, and property maintenance based on the trust’s directions. This continuity helps prevent lapses in financial obligations, protects value, and ensures that decisions about care and resources are guided by the grantor’s stated preferences. Such planning reduces confusion among family members and helps maintain stability when personal circumstances change unexpectedly.
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Practical Tips for Trust Planning
Start by Inventorying Assets
Begin trust planning by compiling a comprehensive inventory of assets, including real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, and personal property. Listing account numbers, titles, and current beneficiary designations helps identify what can be moved into the trust and what may require beneficiary updates. This process reduces oversights that can lead to unintended probate for certain items. A clear inventory also aids conversations with the chosen trustee and heirs, making it easier to explain intentions and ensure alignment before the trust becomes operative.
Name Successors and Alternates
Keep Documents Updated
Regular review and updates of trust documents, beneficiary designations, and account titles are essential to preserve the plan’s effectiveness. Life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, and major asset acquisitions or sales can change priorities and require revisions to the trust. Failing to update documents may result in outcomes that do not reflect current wishes. Periodic checks ensure the trust is properly funded and aligned with the grantor’s goals, helping to avoid unintended distributions and potential disputes among heirs.
Reasons to Consider a Revocable Living Trust
Many individuals consider a revocable living trust to gain greater control over the management and transfer of their assets. A trust can help avoid the delays and public nature of probate, provide continuity of financial management if the grantor becomes incapacitated, and allow for customized distribution schedules for beneficiaries. Those with multiple properties, blended family situations, or specific wishes for how assets should be used may find that a trust better accommodates those needs than a simple will. Evaluating these reasons in light of family goals helps determine whether a trust is the right fit.
In addition to streamlined administration, a trust can offer peace of mind by designating trusted successors to handle affairs and setting clear instructions for care of dependents or management of business interests. While a trust does not eliminate all legal steps, it can reduce court involvement and make the post-death process more predictable. For many families, the combination of privacy, continuity, and targeted provisions for beneficiaries makes a revocable living trust an appealing component of an overall estate plan.
Common Situations Where a Trust Is Often Used
Revocable living trusts are frequently used when there are multiple properties, beneficiaries who need oversight, or desires to avoid probate and keep asset distribution private. They can also be helpful where there is a need to plan for incapacity, to coordinate complex asset holdings, or to provide staged distributions for heirs. Individuals with children from prior relationships or significant non-liquid assets may find trusts particularly useful. Each situation benefits from careful consideration of family dynamics, the nature of assets, and the grantor’s long-term intentions for distribution and management.
Owning Real Estate in Multiple Jurisdictions
When property is held in different states, probate can become complicated and costly. A revocable living trust can help minimize the need for separate probate proceedings by centralizing management and specifying how each asset should be handled. Properly funding the trust and aligning titles reduces administrative burdens and can provide a clearer path for successor trustees. This approach helps avoid duplication of court processes and can streamline the transfer of real estate to intended beneficiaries under the terms of the trust document.
Desiring Privacy for Asset Distribution
Families who prefer to keep the details of their estate plan private often choose a trust because it avoids public probate records. The terms of a trust remain confidential among the trustee and beneficiaries, which can protect family privacy and commercial sensitivities. For individuals concerned about public disclosure of asset values or distribution plans, the trust offers a discreet way to transfer property. Maintaining privacy can also reduce the likelihood of outside claims and simplify communication among family members by providing a clear private record of intentions.
Planning for a Dependent with Ongoing Needs
If a beneficiary requires ongoing care or support, a trust can provide structured management of funds to meet long-term needs while protecting assets from misuse or external claims. The trust can specify how distributions are to be used for medical care, housing, education, and daily living expenses. Naming a capable successor trustee and outlining oversight procedures ensures the beneficiary receives appropriate support while preserving financial resources. This planning approach helps families define practical safeguards and sustain ongoing care through carefully drafted trust provisions.
Local Trust Planning Services in White Pine
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves residents of White Pine and Jefferson County with practical guidance on trust creation, funding, and administration. We provide clear explanations of available options and assist clients in drafting documents that reflect their personal goals. Whether you are beginning to consider a trust or need to update existing estate planning materials, our team is available to discuss practical solutions tailored to your family’s situation. We focus on creating plans that work within Tennessee law and that ease transitions for loved ones when the time comes.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Trust Matters
Clients choose our firm for straightforward guidance and attention to detail when preparing trust documents and related estate planning materials. We prioritize clear communication, thorough preparation, and practical solutions that reflect each client’s objectives. Our approach includes careful review of asset ownership, beneficiary designations, and coordination with other estate planning documents to reduce the likelihood of unintended outcomes. By focusing on planning that anticipates common administration needs, we help clients build documents that function well when relied upon by successors and beneficiaries.
We assist with funding trusts, drafting pour-over wills, and preparing the powers of attorney and healthcare directives that complement a complete plan. Clients often appreciate the emphasis on regular review and updating of documents as life circumstances change, ensuring the plan remains current. Our goal is to provide practical, client-centered advice that helps individuals and families make informed decisions about how best to manage and pass on their assets according to their priorities.
Because trust planning can affect many aspects of personal and financial life, we encourage open discussion about goals, questions, and potential complications. We guide clients through the process of selecting trustees, defining distribution schedules, and implementing funding steps so the trust functions smoothly. Our work aims to produce clear, durable documents that provide confidence that wishes will be honored and that loved ones will have a manageable path forward when administration is required.
Get Started with a Trust Planning Conversation
How We Handle Trust Matters at Our Firm
Our process begins with a focused consultation to learn about your assets, family circumstances, and objectives for a trust. We then identify the appropriate structure and draft documents that reflect your directions. After review and signing, we assist with funding the trust and coordinating beneficiary designations and titles. Follow-up support includes answering questions and making updates as life events require. This practical process helps clients create a functioning plan and reduces the chance of overlooked details that can complicate administration later on.
Initial Consultation and Information Gathering
The first step is a meeting to review your goals, inventory assets, and identify key individuals such as successor trustees and beneficiaries. We discuss concerns about incapacity, privacy, and distribution preferences, and explain how a trust works in Tennessee. Gathering clear information about titles, account beneficiaries, and family dynamics allows us to recommend an appropriate plan and identify any areas that require particular attention during drafting and funding.
Discuss Goals and Family Circumstances
During the initial consultation we explore your priorities for asset distribution, care for dependents, and management during incapacity. Understanding family relationships, existing estate documents, and financial arrangements helps shape a trust that reflects your intentions. We also review potential tax, creditor, and administrative considerations that may influence the plan. This discussion forms the basis for drafting clear instructions and selecting trustees who can carry out your wishes effectively.
Inventory Assets and Titles
A thorough inventory of real estate, accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, and personal property identifies what should be included in the trust and where beneficiary designations may need updating. We look for miss-titled assets and accounts that could remain outside the trust if not addressed. This step helps create a funding plan to ensure assets transfer into the trust as intended and minimizes the risk of unintended probate administration for overlooked items.
Drafting Documents and Making Selections
Once goals and assets are clear, we prepare the trust document and related instruments such as a pour-over will, durable power of attorney, and advance healthcare directive. The drafting stage focuses on precise language to implement distribution preferences, name trustees and alternates, and establish instructions for management during incapacity. We review the documents with you to confirm understanding and make any necessary adjustments before finalizing and executing the plan under Tennessee legal formalities.
Prepare Trust and Complementary Documents
Drafting involves translating your intentions into clear legal terms that will guide trustees and protect beneficiaries. We tailor provisions for discretionary distributions, timing of payments, and conditions for transferring assets. Complementary documents such as powers of attorney provide authority to handle financial and personal matters if you are unable to do so, while a pour-over will captures any remaining assets for the trust at death. Careful drafting can reduce ambiguity and facilitate smoother administration later on.
Review, Revise, and Execute
After drafting, we review the trust and associated documents with you to ensure they reflect your wishes and answer any questions. Revisions are made as needed, and once finalized the documents are signed and witnessed according to Tennessee requirements. We explain the execution process and provide guidance on safe storage and communication with chosen successors and beneficiaries. Proper execution and documentation reduce the risk of challenges and help ensure the trust operates as intended.
Funding the Trust and Ongoing Maintenance
Funding the trust involves retitling assets, changing account designations where appropriate, and transferring property into the trust name. This step is essential to ensure that assets are governed by the trust at your incapacity or death. After funding, periodic reviews help keep the plan aligned with life changes such as new property, updated beneficiaries, or family events. We provide practical guidance on maintaining trust records and updating documents so the trust continues to function effectively over time.
Retitle and Transfer Assets
Transferring real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, and other assets into the trust requires careful attention to titles and institutional requirements. Some accounts may instead rely on beneficiary designations that should be coordinated with the trust plan. We help prepare the necessary instruments and provide instructions for working with banks, financial institutions, and county recording offices to complete transfers. Properly funded trusts reduce reliance on probate and help ensure that assets are available to trustees when needed.
Periodic Review and Updates
After the trust is in place, regular review is important to confirm that asset ownership, beneficiary designations, and trust terms reflect current circumstances. Life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, and acquisitions may require updates to preserve intended outcomes. We recommend periodic check-ins to adjust documents as needed and to address any changes in law that could affect administration. Ongoing maintenance keeps the trust functional and aligned with the grantor’s wishes over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revocable Living Trusts
What is a revocable living trust and how does it differ from a will
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer assets into a trust that you control while you are alive, allowing you to change or revoke the trust at any time. The trust names successor trustees to manage or distribute assets upon incapacity or death. A will, by contrast, typically controls distribution of assets through probate and may not provide the same continuity of management during incapacity. A trust can serve as the primary vehicle for handling assets that are retitled to the trust, while a will can act as a backup for property not transferred into the trust. A will becomes a public record when probated, while trust terms generally remain private among those named. Both documents have important roles in a comprehensive plan, and coordinating a will with a revocable living trust helps ensure that any assets not funded into the trust are captured and transferred according to your overall wishes. Discussing both options helps determine the best approach for your circumstances.
Will a revocable living trust help me avoid probate in Tennessee
A properly funded revocable living trust can reduce the need for probate for assets that have been transferred into the trust, because those assets are legally owned by the trust rather than by the individual. Avoiding probate can speed distribution to beneficiaries and keep details private. However, assets that remain titled in your individual name or that lack updated beneficiary designations may still be subject to probate, so funding is a key step to achieve these benefits. Even with a trust, some matters may require court involvement, but the overall administration is often less burdensome when most assets are included in the trust. Working through the funding process and coordinating account ownership minimizes the likelihood of probate for trust assets in Tennessee.
How do I fund a revocable living trust after it is signed
Funding a revocable living trust typically involves retitling property, updating account registrations, and changing beneficiary designations when appropriate so the trust becomes the legal owner of selected assets. For real estate, this may mean recording a new deed conveying the property into the trust name. For bank or brokerage accounts, institutions often require specific forms to change ownership to the trust. Some assets like certain retirement accounts may not be moved into the trust but can be coordinated through beneficiary designations that reflect the overall plan. Careful documentation and follow-up with financial institutions and county offices ensure funding steps are completed properly and the trust operates as intended.
Can I serve as trustee of my own revocable living trust
Yes, many grantors serve as trustee of their own revocable living trust while they are alive and capable, which allows them to retain control over asset management and decision making. Serving as trustee means you can continue to buy, sell, and manage trust property as before, while the trust document names successor trustees to take over if you become unable to act. Designating clear successor trustees and discussing expectations with those individuals is important to ensure a smooth transition. Appointing alternates provides additional continuity if a chosen successor cannot serve when needed, helping to avoid administrative interruptions.
What happens to a trust if I become incapacitated
If you become incapacitated, the successor trustee named in the revocable living trust can step in to manage assets and handle financial obligations according to the terms you established. This avoids the need for a court-appointed guardian or conservator and allows trusted individuals to carry out your directions for paying bills, maintaining property, and addressing beneficiary needs. The trust document should include specific provisions for incapacity and give guidance on the successor trustee’s powers. Complementary documents like powers of attorney and healthcare directives further clarify authority for personal and medical decisions, creating a coordinated plan for incapacity situations.
Do trusts protect assets from creditors or lawsuits
A revocable living trust generally does not shield assets from creditors or lawsuits while the grantor is alive because the grantor retains control and can revoke the trust. As a result, creditors may still have claims against trust assets in many circumstances. For those seeking protection from creditors, other planning techniques may be considered, but they involve different legal mechanisms and trade-offs. That said, a trust can include provisions addressing how distributions should be handled and may provide some protections for beneficiaries after a grantor’s death, depending on the terms used. Understanding the interplay between trust arrangements and creditor rights helps shape realistic expectations for asset protection.
How often should I update my trust documents
It is wise to review trust documents periodically and after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets. Changes in Tennessee law or shifts in financial circumstances may also prompt updates to ensure the trust continues to reflect current intentions and functions effectively for administration. Regular check-ins help prevent outdated provisions and unintended results. Many clients revisit their plans every few years or when circumstances change materially. Keeping records organized and communicating updates to successor trustees and beneficiaries reduces confusion and helps maintain the plan’s effectiveness over time.
What is a pour-over will and why might I need one
A pour-over will acts as a safety net to transfer any assets that were not placed into the trust during the grantor’s lifetime into the trust after death. It ensures that assets not retitled or otherwise transferred will ultimately be governed by the trust’s terms. While the pour-over will still goes through probate to effect the transfer, it helps ensure that all assets end up under the trust’s instructions rather than being distributed outside of the intended plan. Having a pour-over will alongside a funded trust is a common practice to catch overlooked items and to provide a cleaner overall estate plan. It simplifies the task of aligning all assets with the trust’s distribution goals.
Can a revocable living trust be changed or revoked
A revocable living trust can be changed or revoked by the grantor at any time while they have capacity, allowing flexibility to revise trustees, beneficiaries, and distribution terms. This ability to modify the trust makes it adaptable to changing family circumstances and financial situations. When making changes, it is important to follow the formal amendment or restatement procedures outlined in the trust document to ensure changes are legally effective. Once the grantor dies, the trust typically becomes irrevocable and its terms guide administration and distribution. Planning updates while capable helps ensure the final plan reflects current wishes without ambiguity.
How do I choose a successor trustee
Choosing a successor trustee involves selecting someone trustworthy who can manage financial matters, communicate with beneficiaries, and follow the trust’s instructions. Candidates might include a family member, a close friend, or a professional fiduciary depending on the complexity of the assets and family dynamics. Consider availability, willingness to serve, and the person’s capacity to carry out responsibilities when making this decision. It is often helpful to discuss the role with the potential successor in advance to confirm their willingness and to provide guidance on expectations. Naming alternates ensures continuity if the primary choice cannot serve when called upon.