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Trust Agreement

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Revocable Trust Agreement with Corporate Trustee

This Trust Agreement is made (date), between (Name of Grantor), of referred to herein as Grantor, and (Name of Trustee), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of with its principal office located at referred to herein as the Trustee.

For and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

Grantor hereby assigns and sets over to Trustee the property set forth in the attached Schedule A, which is incorporated by this reference, the receipt of which property is acknowledged by Trustee, to be held in Trust, as follows:

1. Distribution of Income and Principal. Trustee shall pay or apply the net income to or for the use of Grantor during Grantor's lifetime. On the death of Grantor, Trustee shall pay over and distribute the principal as the same shall then consist to such person or persons, or corporations, and in such amounts, in further Trust or otherwise, as Grantor may appoint by specific reference to this power of appointment in Grantor's Last Will and Testament. In default of such appointment or insofar as such appointment shall not be effectively exercised, then the principal shall be paid over and distributed to Grantor's surviving issue, per stirpes, and if none, among Grantor's brothers and sisters then surviving and the issue then surviving, per stirpes, of any deceased brothers and sisters, and failing such, then to the executors or administrators of Grantor's Estate, to become and be disposed of as part of the Estate.

2. Income Payable to Spouse and Children. Trustee shall pay or apply the net income to or for the use of (Name of Wife), the wife of Grantor, during his lifetime. On the death of (Name of Grantor), the principal, as it shall then consist, shall be divided into as many equal shares as there may be children of Grantor then surviving and children of Grantor then deceased leaving issue then surviving, so that there shall be one equal share for each such child of Grantor then surviving and one equal share for the then-surviving issue collectively of each such child of Grantor then deceased. These shares shall be held, managed, and disposed of as follows:

A. As to the equal share set aside for the then-surviving issue collectively of each such child of Grantor then deceased, the share shall be paid over and distributed to such issue, per stirpes.

B. As to the equal share set aside for each such child of Grantor then surviving, the share shall be held in a further separate trust and Trustee shall pay or apply the net income from such child's trust to or for the use of the child during the child's life or until the earlier termination of the trust as provided below. When the child attains the age of years, or if the child shall have attained that age at the time of the division provided for above, Trustee shall pay over and distribute to the child absolutely the principal of his or her trust.

C. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the trust as to any share set aside for a child of Grantor who shall not have been in being at the creation of this Trust shall terminate in any event on the death of the youngest child of Grantor living at the date of this Agreement who shall survive (Name of Spouse). In that event, Trustee shall pay over and distribute the principal of the Trust to such after-born child, absolutely.

3. Simultaneous Death. If the income beneficiary and any remainderman of any Trust created by this Agreement shall die in a common accident under such circumstances that it is difficult or impossible to determine who predeceased the other, then the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be construed as though the income beneficiary had survived any such remainderman and the Trust created by this Agreement shall be administered and distributed in all respects accordingly.

4. Discretion of Trustee to Invade Principal. Trustee is authorized at any time or from time to time to pay to or apply to the use of the person then entitled to the income of any Trust under this Agreement, out of the principal of the Trust, such sum or as Trustee may deem appropriate (without any duty to take into consideration the person's other resources or other income) for that person's maintenance, education, and welfare, or for any other purpose in the discretion of Trustee. Trustee shall be the sole judge of whether the occasion exists for the withdrawal of principal under this Agreement, whether principal shall be withdrawn, and the amount of principal and its use.

5. Children and Issue. The words child, children and issue wherever used in this Agreement shall include for all purposes not only the child, children, and issue of the person or persons designated, but also the legally adopted child and children of such designated person or persons and of such issue, and also all the legally adopted children and issue of the legally adopted children.

6. Minor Beneficiaries. If any person becoming entitled to any property under this Agreement shall be under the age of 18 years, the same shall vest in the person, but in the discretion of Trustee the payment may be deferred in whole or in part until the person attains such age, Trustee meanwhile holding and retaining the property for the benefit of that person, and applying so much of the property and any income from it as Trustee, in Trustee's discretion, may determine for that person's benefit or other use. The retention of any property for any person pursuant to the foregoing shall not be considered as a continuation of any prior trust and Trustee shall be entitled to receive for its services to any such person pursuant to this power separate compensation at the rates and in the manner allowed to a sole guardian of the property of a minor under the laws of .

7. Payment to or for Minor or Incompetent. In making payment of property, whether principal or income, to a person under the age of 18 years or to an incompetent, or in applying property, whether principal or income, to the use of any such person under any provision of this Agreement, Trustee may make the payment or application by payment to such person directly or to a natural or foster parent, or to the person with whom such person shall reside, or to the guardian, committee, or other legal representative, wherever appointed, of such person. The payment to any of the foregoing shall be a full discharge of Trustee and binding in all respects on such person.

8. Powers of Trustee. In addition to any powers given to it by law or otherwise, Trustee is authorized and empowered with respect to any property at any time held under any provision of this Agreement, including accumulated income, if any, and any property held pursuant to any power in Trust, and until the actual distribution of the property:

A. To sell on such terms and conditions as it in its sole discretion may determine.

B. To retain property of any kind received by it without regard to diversification and without being limited to the investments authorized by law for the investment of Trust funds.

C. To invest and reinvest in and to acquire by exchange or otherwise property of any character including stocks of any classification, obligations, or other property, real or personal, whether or not of the same kind, and participations in any common trust fund administered by , without regard to diversification and without being limited to the investments authorized by law for the investment of Trust funds.

D. To join in, consent to, or become a party to any reorganization, merger, consolidation, dissolution, readjustment, exchange, or other transaction and any plan or action under or in connection with the same; to deposit any such property with any protective, reorganizational, or similar committee; to delegate discretionary powers to the committee and to share in the payment of its expenses and compensation and to pay any assessments levied with respect to the property and to receive property under any reorganization, merger, consolidation, dissolution, readjustment, exchange or other transaction whether or not the same is authorized by law for the investment of Trust funds.

E. To make and retain joint investments and investments of undivided interests in any property, real or personal, whether or not all the property is held under this Agreement and whether or not the provisions under which such other property is held are similar.

F. To exercise all conversion, subscription, voting, and other rights of whatsoever nature pertaining to any such property and to grant proxies, discretionary or otherwise, with respect to those rights.

G. With respect to any real property (including real property acquired on foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure) at any time held under this Agreement, to sell, exchange, partition, lease, sublease, mortgage, improve, or otherwise alter on such terms as it may deem proper, and to execute and deliver deeds, leases, mortgages, or other instruments relating to the real property. Any lease may be made for such period of time, including a lease beyond a period, as it may deem proper and without the approval of any court.

H. To borrow money to provide funds for any purpose without resorting to the sale of any assets; and for the purpose of securing the repayment of the borrowed money, to pledge, mortgage, or otherwise encumber any and all such property on such terms, covenants, and conditions as it may deem proper and also to extend the time of payment of any loans or encumbrances which at any time may be encumbrances on any such property irrespective of by whom the same were made or where the obligations may or should ultimately be borne on such terms, covenants, and conditions as it may deem proper.

I. To extend the time of payment of any bond (or other obligation) and mortgage held by it, or of any installment of principal or interest or hold such bond (or other obligation) and mortgage after maturity as past due; to consent to the alteration or modification of any terms of the same, waive defaults in the performance of the terms of the same; to foreclose any such mortgage or compromise or settle claims under the mortgage; to take over, take title to, or manage the property, or any part of it, affected by any such mortgage, either temporarily or permanently, and in partial or complete satisfaction of any claim under the mortgage; to protect the property against or redeem it from foreclosure or nonpayment of taxes, assessments, or other liens; to insure, protect, maintain, and repair the property; and generally without limitation by the foregoing specification to exercise with respect to such bond (or other obligation) and mortgage on such property all rights and powers as may be exercised by a person owning similar property in his or her own right.

J. Without limitation by the specification of the following, to exercise any and all the powers, authorities, and discretions provided in this Agreement in respect of any shares of stock of and any successor corporation whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, sale, or otherwise.

K. To distribute in cash or in kind or partly in cash and partly in kind.

L. To register any property belonging to any trust created by this Agreement in the name of its nominee, or to hold the same unregistered, or in such form that title shall pass by delivery.

9. Principal and Income. All dividends or distributions in stock or other securities shall, to the extent legally permissible, be added to principal. All cash dividends of whatever kind, except liquidating dividends, shall be treated as income. Trustee is authorized and empowered to determine, except as may be prohibited by law, whether any other receipts which may be payable to it shall be treated as and allocable to principal or income, or partly to principal and partly to income. Any determination made by Trustee shall be binding and conclusive on all persons interested in the Trust created under this Agreement.

10. Direction of Grantor. During the life of Grantor, the powers set forth in Section 8 above shall be exercised by Trustee only in accordance with the written directions of Grantor. Trustee shall not be liable or responsible in any way for any loss or depreciation incurred by sales, exchanges, investments, reinvestments, or other action taken in accordance with such written directions or because it shall fail to take any action in the absence of the directions of Grantor.

11. Premiums or Discounts on Securities. Premiums or discounts on any securities purchased or otherwise received under this Agreement shall not be amortized.

12. Accrued Income. Notwithstanding anything set forth above concerning the allocation of dividends by Trustee, Trustee shall treat as income all rents, interest, and income accrued, and dividends declared, but unpaid prior to the within or any subsequent transfer or delivery of securities or other property by Grantor to Trustee, except that dividends which have been declared on any stocks so transferred or delivered to Trustee and which are payable to stockholders of record as of a date prior to the transfer or delivery to Trustee shall belong to Grantor.

13. Additions to Trust. Grantor shall have the right, with the consent of Trustee, to deliver additional property to Trustee which then shall become a part of the Trust, subject in every respect to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

14. Revocation or Amendment. Grantor reserves and retains the right at any time and from time to time by a notice in writing signed by Grantor and acknowledged (unless Trustee, in its discretion, shall waive the acknowledgment) and filed with Trustee:

A. To withdraw any or all of the property held under this Agreement or to revoke the Trust created by this Agreement in whole or in part, subject to the payment of Trustee's compensation and the expenses of the Trust.

B. To alter, amend, and modify this Agreement in any and every respect; provided, however, that the rights, duties, and responsibilities of Trustee under this Agreement shall not be changed without its written consent.

15. Power of Delegation.

A. Grantor reserves the right at any time and from time to time by revocable power of attorney in writing filed with Trustee to delegate to any person or persons, including Trustee, the power retained by Grantor to direct or consent to sales, investments, and reinvestments, or to the exercise of any of the powers granted to Trustee under this Agreement which are subject to the direction or consent of Grantor and whether any such delegation relates to a discretionary or ministerial power. The revocation of any such delegation of power shall be in writing and filed with Trustee.

B. Any individual trustee acting under this Agreement is authorized at any time and from time to time by a revocable power of attorney in writing filed with the corporate trustee to delegate to any one or more of his or her co-trustees any duty or power conferred on Trustee under this Agreement, and whether any such delegation relates to a discretionary or ministerial power. The revocation of any such delegation shall be in writing and delivered to the Corporate Trustee.

16. Trustee Decisions. In all matters pertaining to the administration of any Trust under this Agreement, Grantor directs that the decision of the Trustee shall be final and binding on the Trustee then acting.

17. Powers of Successor of Trustees. Any successor Trustee at any time acting under this Agreement shall have the same powers, authorities, and discretions as though named originally in this Agreement.

18. Electronic Communication. In any case in which Trustee is authorized or required to take any action with the consent or on the direction or authority (whether or not otherwise required to be in writing) of Grantor or any other person, the Trustee is authorized to act on any fax, e-mail, telegraphic, cable, or radio communication, purporting to or which in the judgment of Trustee purports to come from such person, without any duty to inquire into the authenticity or genuineness of the communication.

19. Compensation of Trustee. Trustee shall be entitled to deduct and retain without court approval the compensation allowed a sole trustee by law from time to time. If any person shall, pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, be entitled to exercise a power of appointment with respect to any Trust created by this Agreement and shall exercise the power of appointment by appointing the property subject to it in further trust with a Trustee or Trustees of which shall not be one, then shall be entitled to the same compensation it would have received if the Trust had then terminated and been finally distributed.

20. Preparation of Reports and Returns. Trustee shall be entitled to make a reasonable charge for the preparation of any report or return which may be required of it by any governmental authority, federal, state, or otherwise, excluding annual fiduciary income-tax returns, and such charge may be made to the principal of the Trust or to the income of it or partly to principal and partly to income in the discretion of Trustee.

21. Agents and Advisors. Trustee may consult with legal counsel (who may be of counsel to Grantor) concerning any question which may arise with reference to its duties under this Agreement. The opinion of such counsel shall be a full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered by Trustee under this Agreement in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of such counsel. Trustee may employ such accountants and other agents as it shall deem advisable and may rely on information or advice furnished by them, and charge compensation of such accountants and other agents, as well as any other expenses and charges, against either principal or income or in part against both as Trustee shall determine.

22. Accounting. Trustee may at any time and from time to time render an account of its transactions with respect to any Trust created under this Agreement to Grantor. Grantor shall have full power to settle finally any such account or to waive the same, and, on the basis of such account or waiver, to release Trustee, individually and as Trustee, from all liability, responsibility, or accountability for its acts or omissions as Trustee. Any such settlement and release or waiver and release shall be binding on all persons interested in either the income or the principal of the Trust and shall have the force and effect of a final decree, judgment, or order of a court of competent jurisdiction rendered in an appropriate action or proceeding for the judicial settlement of such an account in which jurisdiction was obtained of all necessary and proper parties. The foregoing provision, however, shall not preclude Trustee from having its accounts judicially settled if it shall so desire.

23. Tax Clause. Following the death of Grantor and on the written request of the legal representative of Grantor's Estate [including (Name of Trustee) should it be such legal representative] prior to the distribution of the Trust property, Trustee shall pay to the legal representative such sum or sums from principal as shall be certified by the legal representative to be the equitable proportion chargeable to the Trust or Trusts created under this Agreement, of any and all Estate, transfer, inheritance, or other similar death taxes (including interest and penalties, if any) due as a result of the death of Grantor. Trustee shall have no duty to determine the propriety of the payment of any sum or sums so certified to it, or to see to the application of the same by the legal representative, or to withhold any distribution in anticipation of any such request.

24. Funeral Expenses. On the death of Grantor, Trustee is authorized and empowered to pay from the principal of the Trust prior to its disposition the expenses of Grantor's last illness, including funeral and burial expenses, unless Trustee shall determine in its absolute discretion that other provisions have been made or other means are available for the payment of those expenses.

25. Merger by Trustee. Any corporation into which Trustee may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, reorganization, or consolidation to which Trustee may be a party, or any corporation to which all or substantially all the Trust business of Trustee may be transferred shall be the successor of Trustee under this Agreement, without the execution or filing of any instrument or the performance of any further act.

26. Resignation of Trustee. Trustee shall have the right at any time to resign. Without limitation as to any other methods Trustee may resign by giving a written notice of its resignation to Grantor, if living, and if Grantor is deceased, to the then-income beneficiary of the Trust. In the event of such resignation, the person to whom notice shall have been given shall have the power by an instrument in writing to appoint any person or bank or Trust company, wherever located, as successor Trustee who, on accepting the appointment by an instrument in writing, shall have the same powers, authorities, and discretions as though originally designated under this Agreement. No bond or other security shall be required of any such successor Trustee in any jurisdiction.

27. Acceptance of Trust by Trustee. Trustee, by joining in the execution of this Agreement, signifies its acceptance of this Trust, which shall be construed and regulated in all respects in accordance with the laws of .

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

Acknowledgements

Attach Schedule A

Enter text✕

What a Trust Agreement Is and when it’s used

A Trust Agreement is a legal contract that creates a trust relationship in which one party (the grantor or settlor) transfers assets to a trustee to hold and manage for one or more beneficiaries. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable and are used for estate planning, asset protection, tax planning, and managing distributions over time. A properly executed Trust Agreement identifies the parties, describes trust assets, sets distribution rules, names successor trustees, and defines trustee powers and duties under governing law.

Why a clear Trust Agreement matters for control and continuity

A well-drafted Trust Agreement prevents ambiguity about who controls assets, how distributions are made, and how trustees exercise authority. It reduces probate exposure, clarifies successor arrangements, and records fiduciary duties and trust administration mechanics under state law.

Why a clear Trust Agreement matters for control and continuity

Who prepares and who signs a Trust Agreement

Typical participants include the grantor, trustee(s), successor trustee(s), and named beneficiaries; advisors such as attorneys, accountants, and trust administrators often assist with drafting and review.

  • Grantors and settlors drafting estate plans or reorganizing assets; they must confirm legal name accuracy and asset lists before signing.
  • Trustees (initial and successor) who accept fiduciary duties and must meet identity and capacity requirements under state law.
  • Estate attorneys, corporate trustees, and financial advisors who prepare trust language, ensure tax compliance, and advise on funding the trust.

Identify parties and their roles early in the document to avoid execution delays and to ensure necessary evidence of authority and capacity is included at signing.

Core sections every professional Trust Agreement should include

A complete Trust Agreement organizes material into discrete clauses so trustees and beneficiaries can act with certainty and courts can interpret intent consistently.

Parties

Names and capacities of grantor, trustee, and beneficiaries. Use full legal names and, where applicable, entity type (e.g., LLC).

Trust Property

Detailed schedule or description of assets transferred into the trust and instructions for future additions or substitutions.

Distribution Terms

Rules for timing and conditions of distributions, discretionary authority, contingent beneficiary designations, and allocation of income versus principal.

Trustee Powers

Explicit authorities (invest, sell, lease, borrow) and limitations; include indemnification and compensation provisions for trustees.

Successor Provisions

Appointment process for successor trustees, resignation and removal procedures, and continuity rules to avoid administration gaps.

Governing Law

Specify the state law that governs interpretation, choice of forum, and any trustee appointment or modification mechanics.

Step-by-step: completing and executing a Trust Agreement

Follow a clear sequence to prepare, execute, and fund the trust to reduce administrative delays and legal challenges.

  • 01
    Drafting: Prepare tailored provisions with legal counsel to address objectives and tax consequences.
  • 02
    Review: Verify names, assets, and distribution terms; update schedules and exhibits before signing.
  • 03
    Execution: Sign in presence of required witnesses or notary; follow state-specific notarization rules if applicable.
  • 04
    Funding: Transfer titles, retitle accounts, and record deeds or beneficiary designations as needed.

Customizing an online Trust Agreement workflow

Configure fields and signer order in your eSignature platform so execution, notarization, and record retention are handled automatically.

Field Configuration
Signing Order Grantor → Trustee → Notary → Witnesses (if required)
Authentication Email link plus SMS code or advanced ID verification for high-assurance signers
Notary Integration Enable RON or schedule in-person notary step depending on state requirements
Audit Trail Enable full audit logs and secure storage for evidence of intent and attribution

Platforms and delivery channels for final Trust Agreements

Choose a platform that supports the authentication, notarization, and storage features your jurisdiction requires.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported for upload and signed output
  • Integrations: Connect to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, NetSuite, Salesforce, Box, or Procore for records and workflows
  • Security: TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest for document protection

Ensure the platform can produce a tamper-evident signed PDF and retain an audit trail that includes timestamps, IP addresses, and signer authentication records.

Where to send, file, and record a signed Trust Agreement

After execution, route copies to trustees, beneficiaries, and professional advisors; record only those instruments that change title or require public notice.

  • Trust Records: Provide executed copies to trustees and beneficiaries for administration
  • Title Transfers: Record deeds or title changes in county recorder where real property is located
  • Financial Accounts: Deliver certified copies to banks, brokerage firms, and insurance carriers
  • Attorney Files: Retain an executed original or notarized copy with counsel

Timing and typical deadlines when implementing a Trust Agreement

Certain timing steps influence tax reporting, funding, and trustee duties — plan around these common deadlines.

Funding deadline:

Fund assets as soon as possible to reflect grantor intent and avoid probate

Tax reporting:

Trusts with EINs follow IRS filing deadlines; consult IRC rules for specific forms

Real estate recording:

Record deeds promptly in county recorder to perfect title

Beneficiary notice:

Provide required notices to beneficiaries where state law or the trust requires them

Annual administration:

Complete accounting and required filings within trustee reporting schedules

Key milestones in trust setup and administration

A typical trust lifecycle includes preparation, execution, funding, and ongoing administration stages; follow each in order.

01

Prepare Documents

Draft trust with precise asset and beneficiary descriptions.

02

Execute and Authenticate

Sign with any required notary or witness present.

03

Fund the Trust

Re-title assets, transfer accounts, and record deeds where applicable.

04

Administer Ongoing

Maintain records, provide beneficiary notices, and file tax returns as required.

Essential data elements and security considerations to include

Grantor ID: Full legal name
Trustee ID: Full legal name
Trust Name: Exact trust identifier
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Asset List: Detailed asset descriptions
Signature Evidence: Signed, dated, notarized if required

Common errors to avoid when preparing a Trust Agreement

  • Failing to fund the trust, leaving assets in grantor name and undermining trust purpose.
  • Using inconsistent trust names or dates across schedules and deeds, causing title confusion.
  • Omitting successor trustee provisions or incapacity plans, leading to administration gaps.
  • Neglecting state-specific notarization or recording requirements for real property transfers.

Legal and financial risks if a Trust Agreement is executed incorrectly

Probate Exposure: Assets not properly transferred may pass through probate rather than trust distribution
Tax Consequences: Incorrect funding or reporting can create unforeseen income or estate tax liabilities
Disputes: Ambiguous terms increase litigation and trustee liability risks
Invalid Execution: Missing notarization or witnesses where required can challenge validity
Fiduciary Breach: Trustees acting outside authority risk removal and personal liability
Recordkeeping Failures: Poor documentation undermines audits and beneficiary claims

How Trust Agreements compare with related estate documents

Quick comparison to clarify when a Trust Agreement is the appropriate instrument versus a will or power of attorney.

Document Trust Agreement Will Power of Attorney
E-sign allowed varies
Notarization needed sometimes often
Witness required varies varies
Primary use asset management disposition at death agent authority

Comparison of eSignature vendor pricing and capabilities relevant to trust execution

Platform selection affects cost, compliance, and features such as bulk send, audit trails, and HIPAA support. signNow appears first for direct comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about completing and executing a Trust Agreement

Answers to common execution, funding, and eSignature questions to help avoid execution errors and preserve validity.


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