Serving as a trustee is both an honor and a serious responsibility. Trustees who fail to follow trust terms, neglect their duties, mismanage assets, or ignore beneficiaries risk personal liability and protracted litigation. The good news is that most liability can be avoided by acting prudently, communicating clearly, documenting actions, and seeking professional guidance when needed. Treat the role as a professional fiduciary assignment rather than an informal family favor t

Real estate adds both opportunity and complexity to trust administration. Trustees must balance income generation, asset preservation and beneficiary expectations while navigating landlord‑tenant laws, maintenance responsibilities and market fluctuations. By following the trust document, adhering to the prudent investor rule, engaging professionals, maintaining records and communicating clearly with beneficiaries, trustees can steward real estate assets effectively and avoid

Hiring professional help isn’t about giving up control — it’s about fulfilling your fiduciary duty and protecting the trust’s value. A well-chosen attorney, CPA, advisor, or specialist can save you from costly mistakes, give you peace of mind, and reassure beneficiaries that the trust is in good hands. Your role as trustee is to steer the ship, not personally turn every bolt. Sometimes, the smartest move you can make is to bring in the right crew.