My children were left some money in a trust by a relative, but the sole trustee has disappeared. The children have account books but can’t access the money, and the bank says they won’t get it until the trustee signs the money over to them. I can’t see this ever happening. What will happen to the money?
You (or your children if they are now old enough) will have to apply to the court for directions. The court (the Chancery Division of the High Court) has the power to appoint trustees on your children’s behalf. Alternatively, if the children have now reached an age where they are due to receive the money, the court could make an order for the bank to pay the money over to them. This is an expensive procedure though. An enquiry agent may be able to find the missing trustee.