Make Sure Your Trustee Knows What Your Assets Are — and Where to Find Them

Naming a trustee is an important part of estate planning. But choosing the right person is only part of the picture. The other part — often overlooked — is making sure that person can actually step into the role when the time comes.

We recently worked with a client who experienced a sudden medical emergency after a fall and was hospitalized. The friend he had named as trustee had no idea they were named, let alone any understanding of the client’s assets or estate plan. By chance, the friend located the original estate planning documents and reached out to us for help.

Fortunately, things worked out. But situations like this don’t always end that way.

Being Named Trustee Isn’t the Same as Being Prepared

Many people assume that once legal documents are signed, everything else will fall into place. In reality, trustees are often left trying to piece things together at exactly the wrong moment.

A trustee who doesn’t know they’ve been named can’t act. A trustee who doesn’t know where documents are stored can’t move forward. And a trustee who doesn’t know where to look for asset information may feel overwhelmed before they even begin.

Preparation isn’t about burdening someone with details — it’s about making sure they aren’t left guessing.

Organization Is One of the Most Meaningful Gifts You Can Give

You don’t need to share every financial detail during your lifetime to prepare your trustee well. What matters most is that the information exists and can be found when it’s needed.

That might mean keeping your estate planning documents in a known location, maintaining an updated list of accounts and assets, or simply making sure your trustee knows who to contact for guidance. When information is organized and accessible, trustees can focus on carrying out your wishes rather than searching for answers.

Privacy and Preparation Can Live Side by Side

Some people are comfortable discussing their assets openly during life. Others prefer to keep those details private — and that choice is entirely valid.

Preparation doesn’t require disclosure. It requires direction.

If you’d rather not walk through your assets now, you can still make sure your trustee knows where information is stored, how to access it, and who can help if questions arise. Clear instructions about where to look are often far more important than sharing what’s there.

When Information Isn’t Available, Trustees Are Left Guessing

Without clear organization, trustees may spend valuable time trying to locate accounts, confirm ownership, or understand what steps to take next. This can delay decisions, increase stress, and sometimes lead to missed assets or unintended outcomes.

A little preparation during life can spare your trustee confusion and frustration later — and ensure your plan unfolds the way you intended.

How Blacksburg Law Helps Clients Prepare Trustees

At Blacksburg Law, we help clients think beyond naming a trustee and focus on what that role will actually require in real life.

We work with clients to think through how information will be organized, how much will be shared during life, and how trustees will know where to turn when the time comes. Our goal is to help you prepare your trustee in a way that feels comfortable, respectful, and aligned with your wishes.

Preparing a trustee isn’t about giving up control. It’s about making sure the person you’ve chosen has what they need to step in with clarity and confidence — if and when they’re called upon.