A single missed deadline or overlooked duty as a trustee can cost you thousands in personal liability. New 2026 California laws have created strict timelines that many trustees in Contra Costa County do not know exist. Understanding these obligations now can mean the difference between smooth administration and devastating litigation.
What the law requires from trustees
California Probate Code Section 16000 says trustees must manage trusts according to the trust document and put beneficiaries first. You have several core responsibilities as a trustee. New 2026 laws have added strict deadlines that many trustees in Martinez and Concord do not know about yet.
Your core duties include:
- Keeping accurate records of all transactions and distributions
- Investing trust assets wisely and avoiding conflicts of interest
- Providing regular accountings to beneficiaries as required
- Communicating important information about trust administration
When you do not meet these standards, beneficiaries can sue you for breach of fiduciary duty. Courts in Contra Costa County regularly hear cases where beneficiaries claim trustees mismanaged money or put their own interests first. Even honest mistakes can trigger lawsuits that drag on for years and destroy family relationships.
New 2026 deadlines that create personal liability
AB 1521, which changes Probate Code Section 9202, gives you just 90 days to report child support issues. When you become a trustee, you must notify the local Child Support Director if you think a beneficiary owes past-due child support. If you miss this deadline, the court can hold you personally responsible for paying the unpaid support.
AB 565 creates a new option called virtual representation that affects how you work with minor beneficiaries. An adult beneficiary with the same interests can now legally represent a minor or unborn beneficiary in accountings or trust changes. This new law can cut your costs significantly and shield you from future lawsuits claiming you breached your duties.
When beneficiaries challenge your decisions
Disputes often start when beneficiaries disagree with how you invested money, question when you made distributions or think you put yourself first. A skilled trust litigation attorney can spot problems before beneficiaries file formal claims against you. The duties you take on as a trustee stay with you long after you close the trust, determining whether you walk away with your reputation intact or spend years in court defending decisions you thought were simple.