Is there any way to gain information about an existing trust fund without going through the trustee?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Is there any way to gain information about an existing trust fund without going through the trustee?

My fiance’s grandmother set up a trust fund for him with his uncle as trustee, but his uncle will not disclose any information about the trust. My fiance will be turning 25 this year, and we are hoping to use the fund to help with a down payment on a condo. We do have the lawyer’s and banker’s information, but have not tried contacting either yet. We are afraid that if either tells the uncle that my fiance is looking into his trust fund, the uncle will do something to drain the fund.

Asked on November 23, 2011 under Estate Planning, Illinois

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If the grandmother is still alive, then I would ask the grandmother for a copy of the trust to be given to your fiance'. If the grandmother is no longer alive and there is concern with respect to the uncle who is the trustee under the trust, perhaps the best way to get a copy of the trust is for your fiance' to consult with a Wills and trust attorney to write a letter requesting a copy of the trust.

As a beneficary under the trust, the fiance' is entitled as a matter of law to a copy of the document. The uncle who is the trustee under the trust has a fiduciary duty of utmost good faith and trust to your fiance' concerning the trust and is obligated to provide a copy of it when requested.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption