What Are My Duties as Trustee in Alabama?

Alabama requires the successor trustee to notify qualified beneficiaries of the trust's existence and the trustee's contact information within 60 days of the grantor's death.Ala. Code § 19-3B-101 et seq.Verified May 31, 2026 The notice typically includes the trustee's name and address, and the beneficiary's right to request trust information.

When the grantor dies, the revocable trust becomes irrevocable and requires its own EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. The trustee must file Form 1041 (U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts) for any income earned by trust assets after the date of death. The trust may also need to file a Alabama state income tax return.

Alabama requires trustees to maintain detailed records of all trust transactions, including income, expenses, distributions, and investment decisions.Ala. Code § 19-3B-101 et seq.Verified May 31, 2026 Beneficiaries have the right to request accountings. Proper documentation protects the trustee from liability claims and provides transparency for beneficiaries.

Trustee compensation in Alabama is based on reasonable compensation for the services performed. Professional trustees typically charge 0.5-1.5% of trust assets annually. Individual (non-professional) trustees often reference executor fee guidelines (2-5% of estate value) as a benchmark. See the Alabama trustee compensation guide for details.

Trust administration in Alabama typically takes 6-12 months, compared to 12-18 months for average probate cases.Ala. Code §§ 43-2-680 + 43-2-848 (executor compensation), 43-2-682 (attorney fees), 43-2-691, 43-2-692, 43-2-698 (small estate / Summary Distribution; HB164 / Act 2025-431, eff. Oct 1, 2025), 43-8-110/111/112/116 (homestead, exempt property, family allowance, CPI adjustment), 43-2-350 (creditor claims), 43-2-851 (bond), 43-2-834 (informal admin), 43-2-61 (publication), 12-19-90 (filing fees); Alabama State Treasury CPI Information page (treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information) for current $18,800/$18,800/$9,400 allowances effective April 1, 2024 (next CPI adjustment July 1, 2026, effective April 1, 2027). Re-verified 2026-05-31 via enrolled HB164-enr.pdf (alison.legislature.state.al.us), treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information, and legis.alabama.gov primary sources — all values confirmed correct.Verified May 31, 2026 Trust creditors have 6 months to file claims, compared to 6 months for probate creditor claims. Trust administration avoids court involvement, public filings, and many of the procedural delays associated with probate. See the Alabama estate settlement guide for a complete overview.