You’ve created a Trust – Choosing the Right Trustee(s)?
Built on Trust. Focused on Legacy. Personally Delivered.
Setting up a trust is one of the most thoughtful steps you can take to secure your legacy, and the true strength of your trust isn’t just in the wording of the document – it’s in the hands you place it in.
At Inglis Stephens, we walk this journey with you like a trusted confidant, helping you make decisions that offer peace of mind and clarity for the future. Choosing the right trustee isn’t just about ticking a box – it’s about choosing someone who can stand in your place when you’re no longer able to.
Who can serve as a trustee?
A trustee can be an individual you know or a corporate fiduciary like Inglis Stephens. The key is that they must be over 18, mentally sound, financially responsible, and free from any legal disqualifications such as insolvency or a criminal record.
What to look for in a trustee
Choose someone who is:
- Honest and objective
- Financially aware and detail-oriented
- Communicative and available
- Able to collaborate with others, especially if there are multiple trustees
- Able to make informed decisions
- Able to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries of the trust
Although choosing a family member might feel like the most natural decision, it can sometimes create unnecessary tension or conflict. By instead appointing an independent trustee or fiduciary like Inglis Stephens offers objectivity, professionalism, and the ability to manage matters calmly, especially in emotionally sensitive scenarios.
What powers can you grant a trustee?
Your trust deed outlines exactly what your trustee can and cannot do. Typical powers include:
- Managing and investing trust assets wisely
- Distributing income or capital to beneficiaries
- Making decisions on behalf of minor children
- Borrowing or lending within the scope of the trust
- Appointing professionals such as attorneys or accountants
Feeling uncertain? Let’s talk it through.
You don’t need to figure this all out alone. At Inglis Stephens, we regularly serve as independent trustees for families who want both personal service and professional oversight. We make sure everything is properly documented, legally compliant, and aligned with the trust’s purpose.
Our role is to protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are carried out with care, now and in the future. If you’d like a review of your trust, help with appointing trustees, or simply a conversation about your options, we’re here.
For peace of mind, choose Inglis Stephens as your independent trustee. Reach out anytime. We’re ready when you are.
Our team can guide you through trust administration.
www.inglisstephens.co.za | 021 914 1144 | admin@inglisstephens.co.za | Office 106, The Village Square, Durbanville, Cape Town
Expert Trust Administration support in Cape Town
