Records · 5 min read
The duty
20 Pa.C.S. §7780 provides that a trustee keeps adequate records of the trust's administration, keeps the trust property separate from the trustee's own, and causes it to be designated so that the trust's interest appears, where feasible, in records a third party maintains.
What the records feed
Each current beneficiary may request periodic written financial reports concerning the trust at least annually (20 Pa.C.S. §7780.3(i)(5)). Where reports are sent at least annually, each with a conspicuous written statement of the rule, the 30-month period for challenging a disclosed transaction runs from the report (§7785(a)) — which is why a report built from complete records matters.
Notices and searches
A trustee keeps a record of each notice and how it was sent (20 Pa.C.S. §7709). Where a person's identity or location is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable, the trustee keeps a written record of the efforts to find the person — the statute says to keep it indefinitely.
The statutes, verbatim
Methods and waiver of notice - UTC 109
20 Pa.C.S. §7709 ↗Clear, simple explanation; the verbatim statute text is not yet attested in our library. See the official statute via the link above.
Recordkeeping and identification of trust property - UTC 810
20 Pa.C.S. §7780 ↗Clear, simple explanation; the verbatim statute text is not yet attested in our library. See the official statute via the link above.
Duty to inform and report
20 Pa.C.S. §7780.3 ↗Clear, simple explanation; the verbatim statute text is not yet attested in our library. See the official statute via the link above.
Limitation of action against trustee
20 Pa.C.S. §7785 ↗Clear, simple explanation; the verbatim statute text is not yet attested in our library. See the official statute via the link above.
Common questions
What records must a Pennsylvania trustee keep?
Adequate records of the administration, with trust property kept separate and designated as the trust's where feasible (20 Pa.C.S. §7780).
Can a Pennsylvania trustee use a personal bank account for the trust?
The statute has the trustee keep trust property separate from the trustee's own and designated as the trust's where feasible (20 Pa.C.S. §7780).
How long should a Pennsylvania trustee keep records?
The statute names one record to keep indefinitely — the efforts to find a person who could not be located (20 Pa.C.S. §7709); claims are generally barred five years after the events §7785(b) lists.
Related reading
The Learning Center is general information about Pennsylvania law — not legal advice, and not a substitute for advice from a licensed Pennsylvania attorney about your specific facts. TrusteeClear is software, not a law firm.
Frequently asked questions
- What records must a Pennsylvania trustee keep?
- Adequate records of the administration, with trust property kept separate and designated as the trust's where feasible (20 Pa.C.S. §7780).
- Can a Pennsylvania trustee use a personal bank account for the trust?
- The statute has the trustee keep trust property separate from the trustee's own and designated as the trust's where feasible (20 Pa.C.S. §7780).
- How long should a Pennsylvania trustee keep records?
- The statute names one record to keep indefinitely — the efforts to find a person who could not be located (20 Pa.C.S. §7709); claims are generally barred five years after the events §7785(b) lists.
General information about Pennsylvania law, not legal advice.