Trusts Flashcards
Define a trust
a trust is a fiduciary relationship with respect to property in which one person (the trustee) holds the legal title to the trust property (the res) subject to enforceable equitable rights in another (the beneficiary)
- it is a device whereby one or more persons manage the property for the benefit of others
who are the main patties involved in the creation of a trust
Settlor - The settlor is the person who creates the trust
Trustee - The trustee is the person who holds the assets of the trust and its assets under the terms of the trust.
Beneficiary - The beneficiary is the person who is entitled too the assets of profits of the trust
Express trust
An express trust is created when a person who has the intent to create a trust and complied with the requisite formalities to create that trust
Implied trust
An implied trust is created by conduct regardless if whether there was intent to create a trust
when is a valid express trust created?
(1) the settlor has intent to create the trust
(2) There is trust property
(3) An ascertainable beneficiary exists
(4) The trust has a trustee; AND
(5) The parties comply with the requisite formalities
Precatory language
Precatory language merely expresses the settlor’s wishes regarding his property, not his intent ( such as “hope” or “request” )
An ascertainable beneficiary
At the time of trust creation, the settlor must either;
(i) Specifically identify the beneficiary by name; OR
(ii) Sufficently describe how the beneficiary is to be identified
The beneficiary must able to possess title to the property (e.g an animal cannot be a trust beneficiary)
However the beneficiary need not have capacity to manage the property.
requisite formalities
The creation of a trust involving real property must comply with the statue of frauds, while the creation of a trust involving personal property (without read property) need not comply with the Statue of Frauds
Testamentary trusts
a testamentary trust is a trust that enters into existence upon the death of a person and disposes of their property. Such trusts must be executed with the same formalities as a will.
in order to create a testamentary trust:
(1) the will must state the essential trust terms (beneficiaries, purpose and trust property)
(2) intent to create a trust must be found from either (a) the express terms of the will or (b) incorporation by reference of a document/writing in existence at the time the will was created
Revocable and irrevocable trusts
Under the common law (majority view), A trust is irrevocable UNLESS the settlor expressly retains the right to revoke or amend the trust
Under the Uniform trust code, a trust is revocable unless the trust expressly provides otherwise
Pourover provisions
A pourover provision in a will devises property to a previously existing trust under the terms of the trust.
A prover provision does Not create a trust, it transfers property to a trust already in existence. Therefore, a pourer provision cannot devise property to a testamentary trust
Discretionary trusts
A discretionary trust grants the trustee absolute power and discretion to make good faith determinations regarding when and how much of the trust property should be distributed to beneficiaries of the trust. Courts may interfere if the trustee is making such determinations in bad faith.
whether the trustee has abused their discretion depends on (1) the terms of the trust instrument; and (2) the other duties of the trustee.
Support trusts
A support trust is a trust that contains a provision directing the trustee to pay to the beneficiary as much of the income or principal as is necessary for the beneficiary’s education and support.
Pure support trusts
Pure support trusts limit the trustee’s discretion. The trustee is obligated to spend only so much of the available trust property as is necessary for the education and maintenance of the beneficiary.
Spendthrift
Spendthrift trusts contain provisions designed to protect beneficiaries from their own carelessness. Generally, spendthrift provisions serve two main functions:
(1) The beneficiary is NOT permitted to sell or assign his beneficial interest; AND
(2) The beneficiary’s creditors CANNOT reach the beneficiary’s beneficial interest.
However, creditors are generally able to reach the beneficiary’s beneficial interests if:
(1) The settlor is the beneficiary of the spendthrift trust
(2) The creditor is seeking reimbursement for providing necessaries; OR
(3) The creditor has an order for child support or spousal support
Alienability of Trust Interests
Trust interests are alienable, devisable and descendible unless the terms of the trust provide otherwise (e.g spendthrift clause that prevents transfer)
Rights of creditors
- The creditors of the beneficiary of a trust have NO greater interest in the trust property than the rights of the beneficiary.
- If a trust prevents a beneficiary from receiving the trust principal, then the creditors have no right to reach the trust principal either.
- absent a spendthrift provision, the beneficiary’s creditors are able to reach the beneficiary’s interest by attachment to the interest income to the beneficiary. .
- creditors can reach the beneficiary’s interest once its distributed to the benefiary
Deviation
Trustees and beneficiaries can request that the court permit a deviation from administrative provisions in the trust instrument. Generally a court will permit a deviation if the purposes of the trust:
(1) have been satisfied
(2) have become unlawful; OR
(3) are impossible to carry out.
Cy pres Doctrine
if it becomes unlawful, impossible, or impracticable to carry out the purpose of a charitable trust, the Cy pres doctrine allows the court to modify the terms of the charitable trust “as near as possible” to the original intention of the settlor in order to prevent the trust from failing.
when is the CY Pres doctrine applicable ?
The Cy pres doctrine is applicable only if:
(1) Property is placed in a trust for the charitable purpose that has become unlawful, impossible or impracticable to carry out;; AND
(2) The settlor manifested a general charitable intent to devote the property to charitable purposes
Termination
Generally, a trust may be terminated if:
(1) The trust is revoked or expires pursuant to its terms
(2) The material purpose of the trust has been satisfied or becomes unlawful , contrary to public policy or impossible to carry out;
(3) The settlor and all the beneficiaries unanimously agree to terminate
(4) All the beneficiaries agree AND no material purposes for the trust remain
(5) termination will further the purpose of the trust due to circumstances that we’re not foreseen by the settlor; OR
(6) The court or trustee determines that the value of the trust property is too low to justify the cost of administration
Exculpatory clauses
Under the majority view, the settlor may limit the potential liability of a trustee by including an exculpatory clause in the trust instrument. However, exculpatory clauses do not excuse the trustee for acts done in bad faith