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ApplyThis Appointment of Successor Trustee is made on [Date].
Trust Name: [Name of Trust]
Original Trust Date: [Date]
Settlor / Grantor: [Full Name]
Any amendment or restatement relevant to this appointment:
[Insert details or write “None”]
Current Trustee Name: [Full Name]
The current trustee is no longer serving because of:
☐ resignation
☐ death
☐ incapacity
☐ removal
☐ other: [Describe]
Effective date the current trustee stopped serving: [Date]
This appointment is made under the authority of:
☐ the terms of the trust agreement
☐ a trust amendment
☐ written consent of authorized persons
☐ court order
☐ other: [Describe]
Additional authority details, if any:
[Insert details]
The following person is appointed as Successor Trustee of the trust:
Successor Trustee Name: [Full Name]
Address: [Address]
City, State, ZIP Code: [City, State, ZIP Code]
This appointment shall become effective on:
[Date]
As of that date, the Successor Trustee shall have the authority to act under the trust to the extent allowed by the trust terms and applicable law.
The undersigned Successor Trustee accepts the appointment and agrees to act as trustee according to the trust terms and applicable law.
The Successor Trustee agrees to administer the trust in good faith and for the benefit of the persons entitled under the trust.
The Successor Trustee shall have the rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities granted under:
☐ the original trust document
☐ any valid trust amendments
☐ applicable law
☐ court order, if applicable
☐ other: [Describe]
The outgoing trustee, if available, shall transfer trust records, account information, keys, documents, and control of trust property to the Successor Trustee as reasonably required.
Items to be transferred may include:
[bank records]
[trust accounting records]
[titles or deeds]
[tax records]
[beneficiary information]
[other trust materials]
The parties may provide copies of this appointment to banks, brokers, title companies, beneficiaries, advisors, and other third parties as reasonably necessary to confirm the authority of the Successor Trustee.
Additional notice instructions, if any:
Additional terms regarding the trustee change, transition, limitations, or special instructions, if any:
Outgoing Trustee Signature, if applicable: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Date: [Date]
Successor Trustee Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Date: [Date]
Settlor / Grantor Signature, if applicable: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Date: [Date]
Additional Authorized Signature, if needed: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Date: [Date]
State of [State]
County of [County]
On this [Day] of [Month], [Year], before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared [Name of Signer(s)], known to me or satisfactorily proven to be the person(s) whose name(s) are subscribed to this instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes stated herein.
Notary Public Signature: __________________________
Name: [Notary Name]
My Commission Expires: [Date]
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For quick answers, scroll below to see the FAQ.
Frequently asked
An appointment of successor trustee is a written document used to name a new trustee to serve when the current trustee has resigned, died, become unable to act, or is otherwise no longer serving. It helps identify the trust, confirm the change in trustee, and record who now has authority to manage the trust under its terms.
You need an appointment of successor trustee to clearly document who is stepping into the trustee role and when that authority begins. It helps reduce confusion for beneficiaries, banks, title companies, and other third parties by creating a written record of the trustee change. It is also useful for trust administration, asset transfers, and ongoing recordkeeping.
Use an appointment of successor trustee when a trust requires a new acting trustee because the original trustee or current trustee can no longer serve or has chosen to step down. It is commonly used after a resignation, death, incapacity, removal, or other event described in the trust that triggers appointment of a successor.
Start with the name and date of the trust, then identify the outgoing trustee and the reason the trustee is no longer serving. After that, name the successor trustee, state the effective date of the appointment, and confirm that the successor trustee accepts the role. Finish with signatures, any required acknowledgments, and a notary block so the document is clear and ready to use.
AI Lawyer can help by organizing the appointment into clear sections so each reviewer can find the relevant details quickly. It can also add internal reference fields, trust notes, and placeholders that make updates easier to track. A consistent structure helps reduce repeated edits and lowers the chance of missing key details like trust dates, trustee names, effective dates, or acceptance language before the document is signed.
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