The Short Answer

In Pennsylvania, a beneficiary of an irrevocable trust generally has the right to request information about the trust’s administration and to receive periodic written financial reports—at least annually upon request. Those reports are intended to give beneficiaries meaningful visibility into trust assets, transactions, and (in many situations) asset values.

What Pennsylvania Law Says

Pennsylvania’s trust law imposes a duty on trustees to keep beneficiaries reasonably informed and to respond to reasonable requests for information related to how the trust is being managed. For many beneficiaries, the practical takeaway is that you are not limited to “trust us”—you can request financial reporting that shows what the trust owns, what has come in and gone out, and how the trustee is administering the trust.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is 20 Pa.C.S. § 7780.3.

This statute establishes that a trustee must promptly respond to a reasonable request by a beneficiary of an irrevocable trust for information related to the trust’s administration, and that current beneficiaries have the right (at least annually, upon request) to periodic written financial reports concerning the trust.

In addition, Pennsylvania law includes a formal “nonjudicial account settlement” process that can require trust account statements showing all transactions and the fair market value of all assets (for a specified lookback period) when a trustee seeks to settle an account without court involvement. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 7785.1.

If you want more background on enforcing beneficiary information rights, you may also find helpful: Can I force a trustee to give me information or distributions if I’m a trust beneficiary in Pennsylvania?

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statute provides the general rule, applying it to your specific situation is rarely simple. Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Deadlines: Trustees’ written reports can trigger time limits that may bar later claims if you do not act in time. Pennsylvania has specific limitation rules tied to periodic reports and other events. See, for example, 20 Pa.C.S. § 7785.
• Burden of Proof: If you suspect missing assets, improper valuations, self-dealing, or excessive fees, you typically need records that show transactions, supporting documentation, and how values were determined—not just a summary page.
• Exceptions and scope disputes: Trustees often argue a request is too broad, not “reasonable,” or seeks information beyond “administration.” Trust terms can also modify notice/reporting rules, and different rules may apply depending on whether the trust is revocable vs. irrevocable and whether you are a “current” or “qualified” beneficiary.

An attorney can evaluate whether you’re entitled to specific valuation detail (for example, appraisals, brokerage statements, or closely-held business valuation support), whether a court petition to compel an accounting is warranted, and how to protect your rights without accidentally triggering deadlines or waiving objections.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Pennsylvania law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.