USLegal » Legal Definitions Home » C » Co-trustee Law & Legal Definition

Co-trustee Law & Legal Definition

When a trust is managed by more then one trustee who have equal rights and powers they are called co-trustees. Usually the co trustees form a collective trustee and exercise their powers jointly. There are instances when the co – trustee may be a temporary fill-in, as when the original trustee is ill but recovers. The co-trustee must act in consultation with the other trustee(s), unless the language of the trust allows one co-trustee to act alone. The respective power of co-trustees depends largely on the terms of the instrument creating it. A trustee is only liable for the default of a co-trustee, when he or she is personally concerned in the transaction or his or her negligence has permitted such act of the co-trustee.





Legal Definitions

Search Definitions

    Search Term(s):
    Exact word match:   

Get a Term Defined


Submit a Definition

  • Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
  • » Submit a Definition

  • Ask A Lawyer Online!
    An attorney will answer your question - normally within 24 hours.

Help Build USLegal

  • Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
    Build USLegal

Read a Law Digest

  • Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
    Go to Law Digest

Form Packages


Legal Life

Form Drafting

  • Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
    Submit a drafting request...
Legal Forms Home