Title 19 — Title 19

(a) A charitable trust may be created for the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, governmental or municipal purposes, or other purposes the achievement of which is beneficial to the community. (b) If the terms of a charitable trus…

A trust is void to the extent its creation was induced by fraud, duress, or undue influence. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

Except as required by a statute other than this chapter, a trust need not be evidenced by a trust instrument, but the creation of an oral trust and its terms may be established only by clear and convincing evidence. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

(a) A trust may be created to provide for the care of an animal alive during the settlor’s lifetime. The trust terminates upon the death of the animal or, if the trust was created to provide for the care of more than one animal alive during the settlor’s lifetime, upon the death …

Except as otherwise provided in Section 19-3B-408 or by another statute, the following rules apply: (1) A trust may be created for a noncharitable purpose without a definite or definitely ascertainable beneficiary or for a noncharitable but otherwise valid purpose to be selected …

Disapproval. (a) In addition to the methods of termination prescribed by Sections 19-3B-411 through 19-3B-414, a trust terminates to the extent the trust is revoked or expires pursuant to its terms, no purpose of the trust remains to be achieved, or the purposes of the trust have…

Consent. (a) If, upon petition, the court finds that the settlor and all beneficiaries consent to the modification or termination of an irrevocable trust, the court shall enter an order approving the modification or termination even if the modification or termination is inconsist…

Inability to Administer Trust Effectively. (a) The court may modify the administrative or dispositive terms of a trust or terminate the trust if, because of circumstances not anticipated by the settlor, modification or termination will further the purposes of the trust. To the ex…

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), if a particular charitable purpose becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful: (1) the trust does not fail, in whole or in part; (2) the trust property does not revert to the settlor or the settlor’s suc…

(a) Subject to subsection (e), after notice to the qualified beneficiaries, the trustee of a trust consisting of trust property having a total value less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) may terminate the trust if the trustee concludes that the value of the trust prop…

The court may reform the terms of a trust, even if unambiguous, to conform the terms to the settlor’s intention if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that both the settlor’s intent and the terms of the trust were affected by a mistake of fact or law, whether in express…

To achieve the settlor’s tax objectives, the court may modify the terms of a trust in a manner that is not contrary to the settlor’s probable intention. The court may provide that the modification has retroactive effect. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

After notice to the qualified beneficiaries, a trustee may combine two or more trusts into a single trust or divide a trust into two or more separate trusts, if the result does not impair rights of any beneficiary or adversely affect achievement of the purposes of the trust. Hist…

To the extent a beneficiary’s interest is not subject to a spendthrift provision, the court may authorize a creditor or assignee of the beneficiary to reach the beneficiary’s interest by attachment of present or future distributions to or for the benefit of the beneficiary or oth…

(a) A spendthrift provision is valid only if it restrains both voluntary and involuntary transfer of a beneficiary’s interest. (b) A term of a trust providing that the interest of a beneficiary is held subject to a “spendthrift trust,” or words of similar import, is sufficient to…

(a) In this section, “child” includes any person for whom an order or judgment for child support has been entered in this or another state. (b) A spendthrift provision is unenforceable against: (1) a beneficiary’s child, spouse, or former spouse who has a judgment or court order …

(a) In this section, the terms “child”, “spouse”, or “former spouse” include any person for whom an order or judgment for child or spousal support has been entered in this or another state. (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), whether or not a trust contains a spen…

until October 1, 2026.] AMENDED BY ACT 2026-584, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE.(a) Whether or not the terms of a trust contain a spendthrift provision, the following rules apply: (1) During the lifetime of the settlor, the property of a revocable trust i…

(a) In this section, “mandatory distribution” means a distribution of income or principal that the trustee is required to make to a beneficiary under the terms of the trust, including a distribution upon termination of the trust. The term excludes a distribution subject to the ex…

Trust property is not subject to personal obligations of the trustee, even if the trustee becomes insolvent or bankrupt. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

(a) As used in this section: (1) ASSIGNMENT or ALIENATION, and any conjugation thereof, includes any anticipation, assignment at law or in equity, alienation, attachment, garnishment, levy, execution, or other legal or equitable process. The term includes: (i) any arrangement pro…

The capacity required to create, amend, revoke, or add property to a revocable trust, or to direct the actions of the trustee of a revocable trust, is the same as that required to make a will. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

(a) Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide that the trust is irrevocable, the settlor may revoke or amend the trust. This subsection does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before January 1, 2007. (b) If a revocable trust is created or funded by more…

(a) While a trust is revocable, rights of the beneficiaries are subject to the control of, and the duties of the trustee are owed exclusively to, the settlor. (b) During the period the power may be exercised, the holder of a power of withdrawal has the rights of a settlor of a re…

of Trust Property. (a) A person may commence a judicial proceeding to contest the validity of all or part of the terms of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death within the earlier of: (1) two years after the settlor’s death; or (2) six months after the trustee sent the…

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a person designated as trustee accepts the trusteeship: (1) by substantially complying with a method of acceptance provided in the terms of the trust; or (2) if the terms of the trust do not provide a method or the method provid…

(a) A trustee shall give bond to secure performance of the trustee’s duties only if the court finds that a bond is needed to protect the interests of the beneficiaries or is required by the terms of the trust and the court has not dispensed with the requirement. (b) The court may…

(a) Co-trustees who are unable to reach a unanimous decision after consultation among all the co-trustees may act by majority decision. (b) If a vacancy occurs in a co-trusteeship, then the remaining co-trustees may act for the trust. (c) A co-trustee must participate in the perf…

(a) A vacancy in a trusteeship occurs if: (1) a person designated as trustee rejects the trusteeship; (2) a person designated as trustee cannot be identified or does not exist; (3) a trustee resigns; (4) a trustee is disqualified or removed; (5) a trustee dies; or (6) a guardian …

(a) A trustee may resign: (1) upon at least 30 days’ notice to the qualified beneficiaries, the settlor, if living, and all co-trustees; or (2) with the approval of the court. (b) In approving a resignation, the court may issue orders and impose conditions reasonably necessary fo…

(a) The settlor, a co-trustee, or a beneficiary may request the court to remove a trustee, or a trustee may be removed by the court on its own initiative. (b) The court may remove a trustee if: (1) the trustee has committed a serious breach of trust; (2) lack of cooperation among…

(a) Unless a co-trustee remains in office or the court otherwise orders, and until the trust property is delivered to a successor trustee or other person entitled to it, a trustee who has resigned or been removed has: (1) the duties of a trustee; and (2) the powers necessary to p…

(a) If the terms of a trust do not specify the trustee’s compensation, then a trustee is entitled to compensation that is reasonable under the circumstances. (b) If the terms of a trust specify the trustee’s compensation, the trustee has entered into a written fee agreement with …

(a) A trustee is entitled to be reimbursed out of the trust property, with interest as appropriate for: (1) expenses that were properly incurred in the administration of the trust, including the defense or prosecution of any action, whether successful or not, unless the trustee i…

Upon acceptance of a trusteeship, the trustee shall administer the trust in good faith, in accordance with the terms of the trust and its purposes and the interests of the beneficiaries, and in accordance with this chapter. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

(a) A trustee shall administer the trust solely in the interests of the beneficiaries. (b) Subject to the rights of persons dealing with or assisting the trustee as provided in Section 19-3B-1012, a sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of…

If a trust has two or more beneficiaries, then the trustee shall act impartially in investing, managing, and distributing the trust property, giving due regard to the beneficiaries’ respective interests and the purposes of the trust. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

A trustee shall administer the trust as a prudent person would, by considering the purposes, terms, distributional requirements, and other circumstances of the trust. In satisfying this standard, the trustee shall exercise reasonable care, skill, and caution. History: (Act 2006-2…

In administering a trust, the trustee may incur costs that are reasonable in relation to the trust property, the purposes of the trust, and the skills of the trustee. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

A trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is named trustee in reliance upon the trustee’s representation that the trustee has special skills or expertise, shall use those special skills or expertise. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

(a) A trustee may delegate duties and powers that a prudent trustee could properly delegate under the circumstances. The trustee shall exercise reasonable care, skill, and caution in: (1) selecting an agent; (2) establishing the scope and terms of the delegation, consistent with …

(a) While a trust is revocable, the trustee may follow a direction of the settlor that is contrary to the terms of the trust. (b) If the terms of a trust confer upon a person other than the settlor of a revocable trust power to direct certain actions of the trustee, then the trus…

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

(a) A trustee shall keep adequate records of the administration of the trust. (b) A trustee shall keep trust property separate from the trustee’s own property. (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d), a trustee shall cause the trust property to be designated so that th…

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims of the trust and to defend claims against the trust. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to compel a former trustee or other person to deliver trust property to the trustee, and to redress a breach of trust known to the trustee to have been committed by a former trustee. History: (Act 2006-216, p. 314, §1.)

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 19-3B-603, the following rules apply: (1) A trustee shall keep the current permissible distributees of income or principal of the trust reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for th…

(a) Notwithstanding the breadth of discretion granted to a trustee in the terms of the trust, including the use of such terms as “absolute,” “sole,” or “uncontrolled,” the trustee shall exercise a discretionary power in good faith and in accordance with the terms and purposes of …

(a) A trustee, without authorization by the court, may exercise: (1) powers conferred by the terms of the trust; and (2) except as limited by the terms of the trust: (A) all powers over the trust property which an unmarried competent owner has over individually owned property; (B…

October 1, 2026.] AMENDED BY ACT 2026-584, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE. (a) Without limiting the authority conferred by Section 19-3B-815, a trustee may: (1) collect trust property and accept or reject additions to the trust property from a settlor or …