Trusts Flashcards
Express trust definition
Allows owners of property to make transfers of property, and have those assets managed by someone else.
NEEDS:
(1) Settlor
(2) Present intent to create
(3) trustee with duties
(4) beneficiary
(5) same person is not sole trustee and sole beneficiary
(6) specific property
(7) valid trust purpose
How can you remove a trustee?
Go to court and show
(1) breach of trust
(2) unfitness, persistent failure
(3) substantial change in circumstances
How does divorce affect trust
Final decree of divorce revokes all gifts and fiduciary appts in favor of a former spouse.
Private trust vs. charitable trust definiteness issue
Private trust: Must have definite beneficiaries
Charitable trust: not required to have definite beneficiaries
If it’s a private trust for a class - the class only needs to be reasonably definite
Unascertained beneficiaries
These are unborn beneficiaries. As long as they are ascertainable by the time their interests are to come into enjoyments its OK to list them
What if trust fails for lack of beneficiary?
Presumed it’s a trust for settlor and his successors
What are the invalid trust purposes?
(1) illegal
(2) contrary to PP
(3) impossible to achieve
(4) defrauds
(5) destruction of property
(6) Condition attaches against PP, then
- settlor’s alternative desire controls
- if condition is condition subsequent, only condition invalidated
- if condition is condition precednet, then trust void
Inter Vivos Trust
Transfer’s property during settlor’s lifetime, or
declaration of trust by property owner, where he is settlor and trustee
Is writing required for an express trust?
NO - unless it’s a trust for personal property (SOF)
Testamentary Trust
Trust created from a will.
Must have
(1) Intent
(2) Beneficiaries
(3) Trust purpose
(4) created in the will
What are the elements of a charitable trust?
(1) Must have indefinite beneficaries (reasonably large group)
(2) charitable purpose
(3) must be perpetual - not subject to rules against perpatuities (RAP)
(4) Cy Pres
(5) AG has duty of representing beneficiaries in the state
What is Rules against Perpetuities
must not be longer than a life in being plus 21 years - this rule doesn’t apply to charitable trusts but does to private trusts
Begins to run on date of settlor’s death for revocable trusts
Cy Pres meaning
if charitable purpose is impractiable - court will try to get it “as near as possible” to settlor’s intention by ascertaining the primary purpose
Honorary trust
CAN create one for your pet - terminates on death of pet and distributed to settlor’s heirs
Can beneficiary transfer his trust?
YES - as long as no statute or language limiting transfer
Creditor rights when beneficiary transfers interest in regular trust
creditors CAN levly on beneficial interest. Court CAN order trustee to pay beneficiary’s income to creditors.
Creditor rights under a Spendthrift Trust
Beneficiary CANNOT transfer rights and creditors CANNOT reach beneficiary’s interest to satisfy debts
Spendthrift Trust limitations
(1) settlor cannot be beneficiary
(2) claims for alimony, support, necessities
(3) claims by government
(4) creditor can reach a mandatory distribution once it is iincome to beneficiary
(5) court will not suspend spendthrift trust because the purpose is for someone who likely couldn’t manage the property on their own
Discretionary Trusts
Trustee has discretion when to pay - beneficiary creditor cannot compel trustee to pay
When does a trust terminate?
(1) All purposes have been accomplished or now has become unlawful/impossible to achieve;
(2) Settlr can revoke UNLESS it is irrevocable
(3) Consent of settlor and ALL beneficiaries
(4) Consent of All beneficiaries AND modification does not interfere with a material purpose of the trust