When people create a trust, naming an adult child as trustee often feels like the natural choice. After all, who knows the family better? Who cares more? While that works well in many situations, it’s important to understand that “family” and “fiduciary” are two very different roles. In some cases, asking an adult child to serve as trustee can create more problems than it solves. A trustee’s job is not just to “be in charge.” A trustee has a legal duty to manage assets prudently, follow the terms of the trust, treat beneficiaries fairly, keep records, handle taxes, make distributions appropriately, and sometimes say “no” – even to siblings or other family members. That’s a significant responsibility, and it can put adult children in very difficult positions. Family conflict is one of the biggest risks. When one child is trustee and others are beneficiaries, even routine decisions can feel personal.
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