When a Trustee Becomes a Burden: Knowing When It’s Time to Remove or Replace a Trustee

Appointing a trustee is one of the most important decisions in estate planning. A trustee is responsible for managing trust assets, following the trust’s instructions, and acting in the best interests of the beneficiaries. But what happens when the person you trusted to carry out your wishes becomes the problem? Whether through neglect, incompetence, or conflict, a trustee who isn’t performing well can create stress, delay distributions, and even damage family relationships. Let’s explore when — and how — to take action if your trustee becomes more of a burden than a blessing.

Faith Otutu

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