A true story about why “naming” someone isn’t the same as preparing them.

A few years ago, we met with a woman who had just lost her father.

He had done everything right — or so she thought.
He had a trust.
He had a plan.
He had named her as successor trustee.

But he never told her what that meant.

She didn’t know where the accounts were.
She didn’t know who to call.
She didn’t even know the trust existed until after he passed.

By the time she figured out what to do, months had gone by.
Bills went unpaid.
Siblings started asking questions.
And the bank wouldn’t release funds without a fight.

The plan was good.
But the preparation wasn’t there.

Today, she’s one of our biggest advocates for what we call trustee readiness.
Because being named isn’t enough.
Being prepared is what matters.

A great plan is only as strong as the person carrying it out — and the clarity they’ve been given.