Okemos, MI asked in Estate Planning for Michigan

Q: Simple trust. Does the executor have to provide copies of the trust to the family? or can they not release it.

Trust basically divides the assets and then after debts are paid, divide 4 ways to the survivors. A lot of bad blood between two people/ SOme things specifically written to those to get but most was put your name on it and if more than one, the executor decides. The estate is small at about $400k.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
Answered
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: Maybe. Is the executor the trustee and is the family or survivors beneficiaries of the trust?

MCL 700.7814 might offer an answer to your question: the trustee must "[u]pon the reasonable request of a trust beneficiary, promptly furnish to the trust beneficiary a copy of the terms of the trust that describe or affect the trust beneficiary's interest and relevant information about the trust property."

There are liability concerns the trustee should be aware of for failing to follow the terms of the trust and law. My suggestion is to contact an estate planning attorney before disclosing too much or failing to disclose enough.

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