4-5-2002
DEAR CURB1:
Whether they HAVE to send one to all the beneficiaries or not, that is the smartest, correct action to take, since all of the trust beneficiaries have a right to know about the trust and how it is being managed and the accounting for it.
The cost really is not something that the beneficiaries should be concerned about anyway--the trustee is going to deduct the expense from the trust account anyway. Just out of curiosity, you should ask the trustee (after you have received your copy) what the expense was for this (just to see if the expense was reasonable or exorbitant)--how expensive can photocopies be?
You also have rights to see the will, but first check at the county courthouse probate court (of the city where the death occurred) to see if the will has been submitted to the probate court--if it has, then you can get a copy that way, without the executor even knowing about that. If it hasn't been filed, then ask the executor (by certified mail, so you can prove you made the request) directly for a copy.