Connecticut Trusts Legal Questions

Dear Hope, I may have to dash your hope of getting a look at your trust.  Where I practice law (State of Illinois) our trust statute allows the person who establishes the trust to specify within the instrument (the trust itself) the rights, powers, duties, limitations and immunities applicable to the trustee, beneficiaries and others and those provisions where not otherwise contrary to the law shall control.  Think about it logically....it's your grandfather's "stuff' so he's got a right to handle it however he chooses because its his stuff.  His trust allows him to reach his hands beyond his grave and still tell you what you can and cannot do with his stuff.  It's not your stuff yet....not until the trustee distributes it to you and he can dole it out just how your grandfather left instruction for him to do so. I know this is not the news you want to hear, but hopefully it will help you to manage the obvious frustration you are having with the trustee.  I want you to take comfort in knowing your grandfather cared enough about your future that he made provision for you.  He knew you well enough to determine that you did not need to know what ALL you had waiting for you because it might tempt you not to work as hard.  I hope this helps even though it's not what you anticipated.... Read More