Originally Posted by
StraitR
Generally speaking, most people are added to a trust for beneficiary purposes, but named as trustees for "freedom to operate" so to speak. If that's the case, you could amend the trust and list them as beneficiaries only. For example, my wife is the successor trustee on our trust, but we don't need her to be, it's more for convenience (freedom to operate) and so she could receive the NFA items if something happens to me. We can still achieve the same with her as a beneficiary. It's not like she wants to hit the range with my suppressors when I'm out of town. That said, we'll keep her as the successor trustee so there's never a doubt of her eligibility to possess the items within the trust.
Now, if you want additional people on the trust for the purpose of having access to the items within the trust, or if they want that privilege, they'll have to submit prints and pics for any transfer submissions after July 13th. I totally get what you're saying though, it's an added layer of hassle, especially for those with trustees that do not live local.
A friend of mine has five family members on his trust as trustees, all of which will be getting moved to beneficiaries or dropped. I foresee a lot of people being removed from trusts, and a good number simply named as beneficiaries.