When families set up a trust, one of the most important decisions is choosing a trustee. Often, parents want to be fair and appoint more than one child to serve together as co-trustees.

On the surface, that seems like a balanced approach. Everyone shares responsibility, and no one feels left out. But in practice, naming a co trustee can create both advantages and significant challenges.

If you’re considering appointing co-trustees for your trust, here’s what you should know before making that decision.

The Benefits of Appointing a Co-Trustee

There are real advantages to having more than one trustee in charge of managing a trust.

• Shared responsibility. A co-trustee arrangement means that no single person carries the entire weight of administering the trust. From paying bills to managing investments, the work can be divided. This reduces stress and helps prevent burnout.
• Checks and balances. Having two or more trustees provides oversight. If one trustee overlooks a detail, the other may catch it. This can create accountability and help ensure that all actions are in line with the trust’s terms and the beneficiaries’ best interests.
• Different skill sets. Family members often bring different strengths. One child may be financially savvy, while another is better at managing day-to-day details or communicating with beneficiaries. A co trustee structure can leverage those complementary skills.
• Fairness among siblings. Many parents choose co-trustees as a way to avoid appearing to favor one child over another. When everyone has a seat at the table, there’s less risk of hurt feelings or resentment.

These benefits can make co-trusteeships appealing, but they are only one side of the equation.

The Drawbacks of Having a Co-Trustee

The same reasons families pick co-trustees can easily backfire.

• Decision-making delays. Trustees are often required to act together. This means that even simple tasks—like selling property or authorizing distributions—can take extra time if co-trustees don’t agree or if one is unavailable.
• Potential for conflict. Family dynamics don’t always improve when siblings are forced to share authority. Old rivalries, disagreements about money, or different management styles can flare up. Instead of harmony, co-trusteeship can add strain.
• Legal and practical complications. In Ohio, co-trustees must typically act unanimously unless the trust document says otherwise. That means one trustee can hold up decisions, even if the others disagree. This can stall trust administration and frustrate beneficiaries.
• Unequal involvement. Sometimes one co-trustee takes on the bulk of the work while the other stays less involved. That imbalance can cause resentment or lead to mistakes if the less-engaged trustee doesn’t understand their legal obligations.
• Increased costs. More trustees often mean more paperwork, more communication, and potentially higher administrative fees if professionals are involved. What was meant to be fair can quickly turn into inefficient.

These risks are particularly high when parents appoint multiple children simply to avoid conflict. Ironically, it can create the very disputes they hoped to prevent.

Alternatives and Best Practices for Families

If you’re leaning toward naming more than one trustee, there are ways to structure it more effectively—or alternatives that may serve your family better.

• Choose one trustee with a backup. Instead of naming co-trustees, you can appoint one primary trustee and designate another as a successor. This ensures fairness without forcing siblings to share authority at the same time.
• Give trustees defined roles. If you still prefer co-trustees, you can draft the trust document to spell out responsibilities. For example, one trustee might handle investments while another manages distributions. This reduces overlap and confusion.
• Use a professional trustee. Another option is appointing a neutral third party trust administrator—such as a bank, attorney, or trust company—alongside a family member. This helps balance family involvement with professional oversight.
• Communicate openly now. The best time to avoid conflict is before it starts. If you plan to name co-trustees, talk with your children in advance. Make sure they understand what the role requires and whether they’re willing to take it on.

Taking these steps ensures that your decision is thoughtful, not just an attempt to treat everyone equally. Fairness doesn’t always mean assigning the same role. It means creating a structure that works for your family and avoids unnecessary headaches.

Protecting Your Family’s Future

Choosing a trustee is one of the most important parts of creating a trust. While appointing a co-trustee can sound fair, it can also complicate the process and strain family relationships. The key is to weigh the pros and cons carefully and build a plan that ensures your trust runs smoothly.

At Legacy Law Group, Ltd., we help Ohio families design trusts that protect loved ones while minimizing conflict. If you’re unsure whether a co-trustee arrangement is right for your family, reach out to us. We’ll guide you through your options so you can make the decision that best protects your legacy.