You just found out you’re a beneficiary in a trust. Maybe your parent died. Maybe someone you cared about left you money. Congratulations. And now comes the hard part. You have to wait. You don’t get to decide anything. You don’t get to choose how the money is invested. You don’t get to demand distributions. You don’t get to fire the trustee. You get to receive what the trust says you get, when the trustee says you get it.
About the Author: Dustin MacFarlane is a California-licensed attorney specializing in estate planning and trust administration. He helps trustees, beneficiaries, and families navigate California Probate Code and protect their interests.