Trust Protector

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Last Updated: Aug 5, 2026

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The Trust Protector is a modern trust law concept, which delivers control to settlors of trusts, beneficiaries, and their advisors than ever before. The Trust Protector acts as a “super trustee,” and allows the settlor, beneficiaries, and their advisors to modify and control many important aspects of an irrevocable trust and provide direction to the trustee with respect to investment management, jurisdiction, and trust distributions. Many of the benefits that are associated with a revocable trust are now available with an irrevocable trust via the Trust Protector.

Reasons to Include a Trust Protector:

Protectors allow for a great degree of flexibility when dealing with changes in circumstances, including both factual circumstances (death, premature divorce, previously unknown children, etc.) and legal changes (any legal changes, but most frequently tax law changes);

The the trustee should be replaced;
The settlor wishes certain powers to be withheld from the trustees;
The settlor wishes a third party to act as a main point of contact between the beneficiaries and the trustees; or
The governing law and situs of the trust is no longer advantageous and should be updated to a new jurisdiction.

The Stuart Green Law Approach

A Modern Approach to Family Wealth

Stuart Green Law combines modern South Dakota trust law with integrated estate planning, wealth management, and fiduciary services for families throughout the United States and internationally. The firm’s approach is built around selecting the strongest legal framework available, maintaining continuity of planning judgment, and bringing every part of the family’s wealth strategy into alignment with its long-term objectives.

South Dakota Law,
Wherever You Live

Families are not limited to the trust laws of their home state. Stuart Green Law integrates South Dakota’s sophisticated legal framework into estate plans for clients across the United States and around the world, allowing families to benefit from its privacy, flexibility, asset protection, and long-term trust advantages regardless of where they live.

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Relationships

Stuart Green Law is intentionally structured as a boutique practice. Clients work directly with the attorney responsible for their planning, creating continuity of judgment and a deeper understanding of the family’s objectives as the plan evolves over time.

Planning That Works
as One System

Estate planning, tax strategy, wealth management, and fiduciary services are most effective when they operate together. Stuart Green Law integrates these disciplines into a cohesive framework that keeps the family’s wealth aligned with the grantor’s vision, goals, and long-term planning intent.

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Perspectives on Modern Estate Planning

Modern estate planning continues to evolve alongside trust law, tax strategy, wealth management, and family governance. Our articles explore the ideas shaping sophisticated estate planning, providing thoughtful analysis of the legal structures and planning philosophies that preserve wealth across generations.