Q: The bank my late grandmother's trust account is at, won't give me access to the account.
I am 1 of 2 beneficiaries named in her trust. I also have a court order naming me and the other beneficiary as successor co-trustees. The bank said they need a certificate of trust with mine and the other co-trustees name on it. Can they just go against the court order like that?
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
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A: Under California law, banks and other financial institutions typically require a Certificate of Trust to verify the authority of a trustee. This certificate, which is derived from the trust document itself, outlines the powers of the trustee and the existence of the trust. Given that you have a court order appointing you as a successor co-trustee, it would be unusual for the bank to refuse you access to the trust account; you should be able to work with an attorney to promptly prepare and provide a Certificate of Trust to meet the bank's requirements and access the account.
Nina Whitehurst agrees with this answer
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