Trust Administration in Paris

Start with authority, not assumptions

A trustee acts under the trust instrument and any applicable changes to it. That role is different from an executor or personal representative handling a person’s estate under a will, and from an agent acting under a power of attorney for someone else. A power of attorney’s scope, duration, and limits depend on the document; it does not automatically make the agent a trustee or authorize every transaction.

Before moving or distributing assets, identify the current trustee, review the trust and amendments, and confirm what the relevant provisions permit. If the person presenting instructions is an agent, executor, co-trustee, or beneficiary, clarify that person’s role and the document that supports it.

Compare the trust terms with account ownership

A trust document does not, by itself, show that every account or parcel is owned by the trust. Compare its terms with account statements, deeds, and other ownership records. For each asset, note the recorded or listed owner, the supporting document, and any unanswered question about access or transfer.

This comparison can reveal why an asset may need separate attention: it may be titled to the trust, titled to someone individually, or have a beneficiary designation that requires review. Do not treat those situations as interchangeable or assume a document alone determines the appropriate next step.

• Create an asset-and-authority log with columns for asset, current owner or title shown, source document, trust provision potentially relevant, proposed action, and unresolved question.
• Keep copies of the trust and amendments, current account or ownership records, relevant correspondence, and any document naming or changing the trustee.

Pause before proposed distributions

Record each proposed distribution before acting: who would receive what, the trust provision being relied on, the asset funding it, and any information still needed. Compare the proposal with the trust’s terms and the trustee’s documented authority. If a term is unclear, a document is missing, or ownership does not match the plan, mark the item as unresolved rather than treating the distribution as approved.

For property in Henry County, the UT CTAS directory lists a separate Register of Deeds contact at P.O. Box 44, Paris, TN 38242. This is a directory contact, not a determination of ownership, title, or the right transfer procedure; confirm current contact instructions before relying on the address or visiting.

Keep tax treatment tied to the particular trust

Do not infer tax reporting from the word “trust” alone. Federal income-tax treatment and reporting depend on the trust; grantor-trust treatment and separate-entity treatment differ. Gather the trust’s tax identification and prior reporting information, if available, and list questions about income, expenses, and reporting for the appropriate tax adviser or legal counsel.

Prepare for a focused review

Bring the asset-and-authority log, trust and amendments, ownership records, a list of proposed distributions, and the documents identifying the acting trustee. Ask: Who has authority to act now? Which assets are actually trust property? What trust language governs each proposed distribution? What missing records or approvals need to be resolved first? What tax-reporting questions should be addressed before administration proceeds?

Dale Law Group, PLLC can assist with trust administration and review these questions in the context of the documents and assets involved.