← Estate Planning Fundamentals

How do I find out what is in my parent's trust?

Start by asking your parent or the current trustee for the signed trust and amendments, then read them alongside any asset records you are allowed to see. A request is different from a legal right to receive documents; for example, Michigan's disclosure rules depend on the trust's status and your rights under it. MCL 700.7603, 700.7814

By TrustHelm Team·Published October 23, 2026Estate Planning Fundamentals

Finding a document and obtaining it are different

Being someone's child does not by itself establish a right under Michigan's beneficiary disclosure rules. While a trust is revocable, beneficiary rights are generally subject to the settlor's control and trustee duties are owed exclusively to the settlor, with exceptions including the incapacity rule in subsection (2). Ask an attorney to check which rule applies. MCL 700.7603(1)-(2)

Michigan's ordinary disclosure rule requires a trustee, on a beneficiary's reasonable request, to promptly provide the terms describing or affecting that beneficiary's interest and relevant information about trust property. That does not promise every child or beneficiary the entire document in every case; a qualifying nondisclosure provision can alter those duties. MCL 700.7814(2)(a), 700.7409a(1)

Read what you have, then list the gaps

Once you have a copy you may use, note the people named, the property described and the instructions. Compare it with available deeds and account records, and take missing pages or unclear ownership to your attorney. The trust funding checklist can help organize those questions.

See what a trust map is for an example of reading a document as a picture. TrustHelm reads a trust document you provide; it does not retrieve private trusts or establish your legal right to receive one.

TT

Written by

TrustHelm Team

TrustHelm

The TrustHelm team creates plain-language guides to help families understand and manage their trusts. Our content is informed by real experiences with trust administration and reviewed for accuracy.

Put this into practice

TrustHelm helps you track duties, documents, and compliance tasks for your trust, all in one place.

Get Started for Free