Can There Be Two or More Trustees for My California Living Trust?

When setting up a living trust in California, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a trustee—the person (or people) who will manage the trust. But what if you don’t want just one person in charge? Can you name two or more trustees for your California trust?

The short answer is: Yes, you can appoint multiple trustees—and in many cases, doing so may be the right move. But there are important pros and cons to consider before going that route.

✅ What Is a Co-Trustee?

A co-trustee is someone who serves alongside another trustee in managing the assets held in a living trust. Co-trustees share responsibility for:

• Managing trust property

• Paying bills and taxes

• Keeping records and preparing accountings

• Distributing assets to beneficiaries (after death)

• Making legal and financial decisions on behalf of the trust

You can name co-trustees to serve together while you're alive (such as spouses managing a joint trust) or designate successor co-trustees to take over after your incapacity or death.

⚖️ California Law Allows Multiple Trustees

Under California trust law, there is no restriction on the number of trustees you can name. You may have:

• Joint trustees (e.g., you and your spouse)

• Successor co-trustees (two or more people who act together after your death or incapacity)

• Corporate and individual trustees serving together

You can even direct in your trust document whether trustees must act unanimously or if they can make decisions by majority vote.

🟢 Benefits of Having Co-Trustees

1. Checks and Balances

With more than one trustee, decisions are less likely to be made unilaterally. This can reduce the risk of mismanagement or abuse—especially if the trust will last for many years or involves substantial assets.

2. Continuity

If one trustee becomes ill, moves away, or passes away, the remaining co-trustee(s) can continue to act without needing court intervention.

3. Shared Workload

Trust administration involves a lot of paperwork, deadlines, and coordination. Having co-trustees can make the process more manageable, especially if one is more experienced than the other.

4. Family Harmony

Naming more than one child as co-trustee may feel more equitable and prevent hurt feelings—though this comes with its own risks (see below).

Potential Drawbacks of Co-Trustees

1. Decision-Making Conflicts

When co-trustees disagree, administration can stall. If the trust doesn’t include a “majority rules” provision, this could result in legal disputes or require court intervention.

2. Geographic Challenges

If trustees live in different states, signing documents, coordinating tasks, or dealing with local banks and property can become complicated.

3. Bank and Title Company Issues

Some financial institutions require all trustees to sign documents—slowing down the process and increasing the risk of errors or delays.

4. Unequal Effort

Even though all co-trustees share equal responsibility, some may end up doing most of the work, leading to resentment or claims of unfair compensation.

📝 Tips for Naming Co-Trustees

• Be clear in your trust document about how decisions will be made

• Choose individuals who communicate well and share similar values

• Consider naming a professional trustee as a neutral co-trustee in complex family situations

• Limit the number of co-trustees to two or three at most to avoid administrative headaches

• Discuss expectations in advance with your chosen trustees

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can absolutely name two or more trustees for your California living trust. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should—at least not without thoughtful planning. In the right circumstances, co-trustees can provide balance and continuity. In others, they may create friction or delays.

A well-drafted trust gives you the flexibility to build the right team—and the legal tools to keep everything running smoothly.

Need help deciding how to structure your living trust?📞 Call us at (626) 460-1763📧 Email LV@MoravecsLaw.com

We’ll help you create a trust that works in real life—not just on paper.

Contact the top-rated California trust and probate attorneys Moravec, Varga & Mooney today to schedule a telephonic consultation. Have questions? call (626) 460-1763 or email LV@MoravecsLaw.com.

Southern California Probate Lawyer Serving all counties in California, including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Santa Cruz & Beyond.