Q: My mother was 1 of 3 ladies added to a family trust. How can I be added to the trust? 1 of the ladies died & 2nd is ill.
A: A trust is generally a written document ( although sometimes it is part of or contained in another document, like a will). The author of the trust ( not the lawyer preparing it, but the person creating the trust ) is called the trustor. The person handling the money or assets is called the trustee. The document itself may contain specific wording that limits how the trust may be modified or changed, but certain trusts cannot be changed ( these are called irrevocable trusts). If the trust can be modified, it will be up to the trustor to make the changes, and of course, those changes will have to be in writing. A person can't simply "add" themselves to another's estate plan, the owner/author of the trust assets has to agree and choose to include that person. Hope this helps.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
