A professional guide to expressing trust and providing guidance to the person managing your trust, overseeing distributions, and protecting the interests of your beneficiaries.
A trustee carries a unique fiduciary responsibility that often extends far beyond a single event. Unlike an executor who settles an estate and completes their duties, a trustee may manage assets, make distribution decisions, and oversee beneficiary interests for years or even decades. They navigate investment decisions, tax considerations, beneficiary requests, changing circumstances, and complex family dynamics—all while adhering to the trust document and legal obligations. It's ongoing work that requires financial acumen, sound judgment, patience, and the ability to balance competing interests while honoring your intentions.
You chose this person because you trust their judgment over the long term. You believe in their integrity, their ability to make prudent financial decisions, their capacity to remain impartial when needed, and their commitment to stewarding assets responsibly. Whether they're managing a trust for your children until they reach adulthood, overseeing distributions for a special needs beneficiary, or administering charitable giving, you're asking them to carry forward your values and intentions long after you're gone. You selected them because you know they'll take this fiduciary duty seriously and act in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
Writing a message to your trustee serves important purposes. It expresses gratitude for accepting this ongoing responsibility. It clarifies your intentions, priorities, and values—context that can guide difficult decisions not explicitly covered in the trust document. It provides reassurance that you trust their judgment when circumstances require interpretation or adaptation. It acknowledges the complexity and time commitment involved. And it offers guidance on what matters most to you in how the trust is managed and how beneficiaries are served. This letter supports them in carrying out their duties with confidence and clarity about your wishes.
These prompts will help you communicate your intentions, provide context for decisions, and express trust in the person managing your trust.
Begin by acknowledging their role as trustee and the responsibility they've accepted.
Dear [Name],
You've agreed to serve as [trustee / successor trustee / co-trustee] for [the family trust / the trust for my children / the special needs trust / the charitable trust]. I'm writing this to provide some context and guidance that may help you fulfill this responsibility. I wanted to share my intentions and express my trust in your stewardship.
Tell them why you selected them for this fiduciary role—what qualities make them the right person.
I chose you because [I trust your financial judgment / you have the integrity this requires / you understand the beneficiaries / you'll be fair and impartial / you have the experience needed / I've seen your prudent decision-making / you share my values / you'll take this duty seriously]. I believe you have the [wisdom / balance / objectivity / competence / character] to manage this trust responsibly over [the long term / many years / changing circumstances].
Clarify what you hope this trust accomplishes and what priorities should guide decisions.
The primary purpose of this trust is to [provide for my children's education and wellbeing / ensure my spouse has financial security / support [beneficiary] who has special needs / fund charitable causes I care about / preserve family wealth for future generations]. What matters most to me is [that beneficiaries are cared for / responsible growth of assets / supporting education / maintaining family harmony / prudent but not overly conservative management / that distributions align with real needs].
Offer specific guidance on important areas—distributions, investments, beneficiary relationships, or values to consider.
Regarding [distributions / investment strategy / beneficiary requests]: [I hope you'll prioritize education and healthcare / Please consider each beneficiary's individual circumstances / Use your judgment about what constitutes reasonable requests / I trust you to balance current needs with long-term preservation / Don't feel obligated to distribute equally if circumstances differ / My financial advisor [name] can provide investment guidance]. [Work with qualified professionals / Document your decisions / Consider the beneficiaries' input but use your judgment / Don't let family pressure override your fiduciary duty].
Provide context about beneficiaries that might help in decision-making—their needs, circumstances, or characteristics.
About [beneficiary name]: [He/She] is [financially responsible / still learning to manage money / dealing with [specific challenge] / passionate about [interest/field] / likely to need support for [circumstance]]. I hope you'll [support their education in [field] / be patient as they mature / provide structure around distributions / encourage their independence / consider their special needs / help them learn financial responsibility]. Remember that [circumstances may change / each beneficiary is different / flexibility may be needed].
Give permission to exercise judgment, adapt to circumstances, and make decisions you couldn't anticipate.
You will face [situations I didn't anticipate / changing economic conditions / beneficiary circumstances I couldn't predict / decisions that require interpretation]. Please know that you have my complete trust to [use your judgment / adapt as circumstances require / make prudent decisions / interpret the trust's intent / seek professional guidance when needed]. I understand that you may need to [deny some requests / make unpopular decisions / prioritize long-term interests / balance competing needs]. Trust yourself—you have the authority and responsibility to do what's right.
End by thanking them for accepting this long-term responsibility and expressing confidence in their stewardship.
Thank you for agreeing to serve as trustee. Thank you for [your integrity / your willingness to take this on / the care you'll bring to this role / committing to this long-term responsibility / being someone I can trust completely]. I know this is [complex work / a significant commitment / not always easy / sometimes thankless], but it gives me tremendous peace of mind knowing that [my beneficiaries are in good hands / the trust will be managed responsibly / my intentions will be honored / someone with your judgment is overseeing this].
I trust you completely. You have my full confidence.
[With gratitude and trust / Thank you / With appreciation / Respectfully],
[Your name]
Use this template in A Final Message to create, store, and ensure your words reach your trustee when they need them most.
Start Writing Your Final Message