Can There Be Two or More Trustees for My Living Trust?


A woman considering whether she should appoint more than one trustee.
A woman considering whether she should appoint more than one trustee.

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An important estate planning decision that you could face when setting up a living trust is choosing a trustee or trustees to oversee it. Appointing multiple trustees can enhance the management of your trust by combining diverse skills and perspectives to make well-rounded decisions. However, having more than one trustee can also be complicated. Here’s what you need to know..

Ask a financial advisor how to set up a living trust for your estate. This can help you manage and distribute assets efficiently. 

Legally, there is no strict limit on how many trustees you can appoint for your living trust. However, you should consider whether it’s practical to have multiple trustees for this type of trust. While having more trustees can provide diverse perspectives and shared responsibilities, it can also lead to potential conflicts and slower decision-making processes. Therefore, you should aim to balance the benefits of multiple trustees with the need for efficient trust management.

The ideal number of trustees for your living trust depends on your specific circumstances and goals. Some individuals prefer a single trustee for simplicity and streamlined decision-making, while others opt for two or more trustees to maintain a level of checks and balances.

If you choose multiple trustees, it’s important to select individuals who can work collaboratively and share a common understanding of your trust’s objectives. Additionally, consider appointing a successor trustee to step in if the original trustees are unable to fulfill their duties.

Whether you select multiple trustees or choose a single one, you will need to consider the benefits and drawbacks of both options. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons below.

  • Diverse expertise and perspectives: Multiple trustees bring a range of skills and viewpoints, which can enhance decision-making. This diversity can lead to more balanced and well-rounded management of the trust’s assets.

  • Checks and balances: Having more than one trustee can provide a system of checks and balances, reducing the risk of mismanagement or fraud. This oversight can increase the trust’s integrity and ensure that decisions are made in the beneficiary’s best interests.

  • Continuity and stability: With multiple trustees, the trust is less vulnerable to disruptions caused by the incapacity or departure of a single trustee. This continuity can help maintain the trust’s operations stable over time.


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