How Do I Choose a Trustee?

Choosing a trustee is one of the most important and difficult issues in special needs trusts. The trustee must have the necessary expertise to manage the trust, including making proper investments, paying bills, keeping accounts, and preparing tax returns. A professional trustee will have these skills, but may be unfamiliar with the beneficiary and his unique needs. For those who may be uncomfortable with the idea of an outsider managing a loved one's affairs, it is possible to simultaneously appoint both a professional trustee and a family member as co-trustees. It's also possible to hire a trust "protector," who has the power to review accounts and to hire and fire trustees, and a trust "advisor," who instructs the trustee on the beneficiary's needs. However, if the trust fund is small, a professional trustee may not be interested. Make sure that whomever you choose is financially savvy, well-organized, and, most important, ethical.