This certification is used by a trustee of a living trust (revocable trust) to provide a banking institution, brokerage firm, transfer agent, or other third party with key information that is needed regarding the trust. Typically when a living trust is established, the title to investment and savings assets will be transferred into the name of the trust. The banking institution or brokerage firm that is asked to transfer the title to the assets will often require that the trustee provide copies of key provisions of the trust. The banking institution or brokerage firm needs this information as proof of the trustee's authority to act on behalf of the trust. The full name of the trust should be provided, including a date, although the party receiving the certification may use an abbreviation in re-titling the assets. For example, the trust name "William S. and Rosemary S. Hightower Revocable Trust, dated January 15, 2002" may appear on a new brokerage account as "Wm. and R. Hightower, U/T 1/15/02." |