There are many types of Trusts, and what is required of the Trustee depends upon the language of the Trust document, the assets owned by the Trust and the general circumstances of the decedent. Unlike someone who is named as the Executor of a Will, the Trustee of a Trust has authority to act on behalf of the Trust right away and, in most cases, the administration of the Trust will not require court involvement. However, sometimes court proceedings are required if there are assets that were not properly titled in the Trust or if there are questions regarding the language of the Trust or the decedent’s intent.
In any event, there are certain formalities that the Trustee must follow and fiduciary duties imposed upon the Trustee by law. If you are named as the Trustee of a Trust, it is important to consult with an attorney regarding your duties.