California Trust Lawyer on the “Standard of Care” and Your Trustee

• The circumstances of the beneficiaries
• The overall economic environment
• The priorities of the trust

• Care. The welfare of the beneficiaries must be demonstrated in every action a trustee takes.
• Skill. The trustee must make well-informed decisions with regard to investment and distribution of the trust. Whether or not they are using professional advisors, the trustee is expected to make investment decisions on a professional level.
• Caution. Consideration of the beneficiary’s circumstances, the intentions of the trust, and the general economic environment needs to be demonstrated in every decision made regarding the trust. Any investments made with trust funds by the trustee must balance risk with potential return.