Family Coordination

How do I get my family to agree on who should be the trustee of our living trust?

Choosing a trustee works best when families start by separating the role from personal feelings — a trustee manages assets, pays bills, and distributes property according to the trust's terms, so organizational skills and availability matter more than seniority or birth order. Many families name one adult child as trustee and another as successor trustee, which spreads responsibility and reduces resentment. A common mistake is surprising family members with the decision after the trust is signed; walking through the trust document together before it's finalized tends to prevent conflict later. If no single family member feels like the right fit, a professional or institutional trustee is also an option worth exploring.