Who can be a trustee of a trust?

In California, a trustee of a trust can be any adult person with the legal capacity to serve in such a role. This includes an individual, a corporation, a professional fiduciary, or a trust company. A person acting as a trustee of a trust in California should have a good knowledge of the law and the responsibilities of a trustee. Furthermore, the trustee should have a good understanding of their duties, liabilities, and rights. In order to be a valid trustee in California, the person must be of legal age, generally 18 years or older, with the capacity to enter into a legal contract. If the person is not of legal age, a guardian may need to be appointed to give consent on their behalf. In some cases, a minor may be deemed capable of acting as a trustee in California. The trust document will usually name the trustees. If the trust does not designate a trustee, the court can appoint one. The court may also appoint a single person or a group of persons as trustees. In California, a trustee cannot be a beneficiary of the trust, the grantor or settlor of the trust, or an attorney who has prepared the trust document or provided legal advice to the grantor or settlor of the trust. The trustee must always act in the best interest of the beneficiary and must not act to benefit themselves in any way. The trustee must comply with the trust document and obey the laws of California.

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