A loved one chose Trust & Will as Successor Trustee or Successor Executor. What happens next?
Did you lose a loved one who nominated Trust & Will as their Successor Trustee or Executor? We are so sorry for your loss—we're here to help. Click the link below to fill out our verification form and a member of our team will reach out. In the meantime, keep reading for more information.
Trust & Will Successor Trustee or Successor Executor FAQs
First, we’re so sorry for your loss. If Trust & Will is named in the will or trust documents, please complete the form at the link below. This helps us gather the necessary information to begin reviewing the trust and understanding your family’s needs. Once submitted, a member of our team will be in touch shortly.
No, there’s no cost today to name Trust & Will in your estate plan. Fees would only apply if we formally accept the role after a member passes away and trust administration/estate settlement begins.
No. While you can nominate Trust & Will as your Successor Trustee or Executor, we do not guarantee that we will serve. After someone passes away, we will review the will or trust, assess the complexity of the estate, and determine whether we—or one of our trusted partners—are able to accept the appointment.
If we decline to serve, the role will pass to the next person or institution listed in the will or trust. (We always require members to name at least one backup.) In this case, we’ll also provide a list of vetted partners who may be able to help with administration/estate settlement, so the family still has guidance and support.
Pricing is based on the complexity and size of the trust. In general, professional trustees/executors charge between 1% and 2% of the trust’s total value annually. We aim to offer trust administration/estate settlement services at a competitive rate—either directly or through our network of trusted partners.
When someone submits the intake form, Trust & Will is collecting information as the nominated successor trustee or executor — not the acting trustee or executor. Completing the form does not mean that Trust & Will has accepted the role. We do not have any trustee or executor authority until we formally accept the appointment, which only occurs after a thorough review of the will, trust, and the estate.
Successor Trustee or Successor Executor Duties & Responsibilities
A successor trustee is the person or professional organization you name to manage your trust when you can no longer do so—typically due to incapacity or after your passing. They step in to carry out your wishes exactly as outlined in your trust.
They’re responsible for:
- Collecting and managing trust assets
- Paying any outstanding debts, bills, and taxes
- Distributing assets to beneficiaries
- Keeping accurate financial records
- Communicating with beneficiaries
- Filing required tax documents
This process can take months and often involves legal, tax, and financial complexities. Many people underestimate how time-intensive and detail-oriented it really is.
The process typically includes:
- Sending legal notices to beneficiaries and creditors
- Securing and safeguarding property
- Opening administrative accounts and gathering all assets
- Paying debts and taxes
- Providing an official accounting to beneficiaries
- Distributing remaining assets
All of this can easily take 100–150 hours, even when things go smoothly.
Yes. It’s not just about good intentions—it’s about time, legal accuracy, and careful record-keeping. Mistakes can lead to personal liability or family disputes. That’s why some people choose to name a professional trustee from the start.
A successor executor is the person or professional organization you name to step in and manage your estate if your original executor can’t or won’t serve. They are responsible for carrying out your wishes after your death, exactly as outlined in your will, and ensuring your estate is properly settled according to state law.
- If they need to step in, a successor executor typically handles:
- Gathering and safeguarding estate assets
- Paying outstanding debts, bills, and taxes
- Managing required court filings and deadlines
- Communicating with beneficiaries
- Providing an accounting of the estate
- Distributing assets according to the will
Estate settlement is a legal, court-supervised process that often takes several months and can require 100+ hours of work. It involves strict procedural rules, detailed record-keeping, and little room for error. While many people name a trusted family member, it’s a significant responsibility—and mistakes can lead to delays, disputes, or personal liability—which is why some choose a professional executor instead.
Choosing a Professional Successor Trustee or Successor Executor
Trust administration/estate settlement is complex and often emotionally charged. A professional like Trust & Will can provide experience, efficiency, and neutrality—relieving loved ones from this burden and ensuring your plan is followed to the letter.
- Expertise: Professionals handle legal filings, taxes, asset management, and deadlines daily.
- Objectivity: A neutral party can help avoid family tension or perceived favoritism.
- Efficiency: Professionals often finish the process faster by leveraging systems and relationships with banks, courts, and financial institutions.
- Reduced conflict: Removing the emotional and logistical stress from family members can help preserve relationships.
- Peace of mind: Knowing your plan will be executed exactly as intended—without errors or delays.
It might feel that way at first. But many people don’t realize the level of work and pressure it can put on someone already grieving. It’s not uncommon for family trustees or executors to:
- Take time off work
- Face pressure from other beneficiaries
- Struggle with legal and financial requirements they weren’t prepared for
In some cases, well-meaning family trustees or executors even make costly mistakes that delay distributions or create conflict.
Not necessarily. Trustee/executor fees—whether for a family member or a professional—typically come from the trust or estate itself. And since family trustees or executors often hire attorneys and accountants anyway, the costs can be similar. Trust & Will offers transparent, competitive pricing—often 1–2% of the estate value—depending on complexity and size.
Our professional trustee and executor service is designed to:
- Take the administrative burden off your family
- Navigate complex requirements with ease
- Minimize delays and reduce emotional stress
- Help ensure your wishes are followed accurately
Choosing Trust & Will as your successor trustee or executor means choosing confidence, clarity, and compassion.
