Certification of Trust.
Simplify Trust Administration Confidently & Privately.
If you’ve created a revocable living trust as part of your estate plan, you may be asked to provide proof of the trust’s existence to a bank, title company, or financial institution. Rather than sharing the full trust document—often lengthy and filled with private terms—you can present a Certification of Trust.
At Poppy Legal Group, we prepare Certifications of Trust that meet Massachusetts legal requirements and give trustees the documentation they need to act with confidence—while keeping sensitive estate details private.
What Is a Certification of Trust?
A Certification of Trust is a legal summary of the key terms of a trust, provided by the trustee, that confirms:
The existence of the trust
The name of the trust and date it was created
The identity of the current trustee(s)
The powers granted to the trustee
Whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable
The name of the person(s) who created the trust (the grantor(s))
This document is used to prove authority without disclosing the full contents of the trust.
When Is a Certification of Trust Used?
A Certification of Trust may be requested when a trustee is:
Opening or managing a bank account in the name of the trust
Transferring real estate or refinancing property owned by the trust
Dealing with investment firms, title companies, or other financial institutions
Managing trust assets after the grantor has passed away
It’s a key tool for trust administration that helps streamline transactions while protecting the privacy of beneficiaries and trust terms.
Benefits of Using a Certification of Trust
Maintains privacy: Avoids disclosing detailed estate terms or personal information
Reduces paperwork: Shorter and easier for third parties to review
Provides legal assurance: Gives banks and institutions the documentation they need
Protects the trustee: Confirms authority and limits personal liability when used properly
Do You Need One?
If you have a trust and plan to manage or transfer assets in the name of that trust, a Certification of Trust is a must-have. It’s especially helpful when:
You’re funding a new trust (transferring assets into it)
You’re acting as trustee after someone’s death
You want to avoid unnecessary delays or document requests from financial institutions
If you’re unsure whether you have one—or need to update an existing certification—we’re happy to review your trust documents and guide you through next steps.
How Poppy Legal Group Can Help
At Poppy Legal Group, we prepare clear, legally sound Certifications of Trust that give you and your institutions the information they need—without compromising your privacy. Whether you're creating a new trust or need to support trust administration, we’ll make sure you have everything in place to act confidently and effectively.