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Comparison of Uniform Trust Code, DC Trust Code, Maryland Trust Act, and Virginia Trust Code, with Annotations

  • Preamble
  • Article 1
  • Article 2
  • Article 3
  • Article 4
  • Article 5
  • Article 6
  • Article 7
  • Article 8
  • UPIA-UTC Article 9
  • Article 10
  • Article 11
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A

Article 8

— Duties and Powers of the Trustee

§ 801   § 802   § 803   § 804   § 805   § 806   § 807   § 808   § 809   § 810   § 811   § 812   § 813   § 814   § 815   § 816   § 817  —–  VA § 64.2-778.1

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UTC

§ 801. Duty to administer trust.

Upon acceptance of a trusteeship, the trustee shall administer the trust in good faith, in accordance with its terms and purposes and the interests of the beneficiaries, and in accordance with this [Code]

DC

§ 19-1308.01. Duty to administer trust.

Upon acceptance of a trusteeship, the trustee shall administer the trust in good faith, in accordance with its terms and purposes and the interests of the beneficiaries, and in accordance with this chapter.

MD

§ 14.5-801. Administration in general.

On acceptance of a trusteeship, the trustee shall administer the trust reasonably under the circumstances [SUBSTITUTED FOR "IN GOOD FAITH"], in accordance with the terms and purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries, and in accordance with this title.

VA

§ 64.2-763. Duty to administer trust and invest

Upon acceptance of a trusteeship, the trustee shall administer the trust and invest trust assets in good faith, in accordance with its terms and purposes and the interests of the beneficiaries, and in accordance with this chapter. In administering, managing and investing trust assets, the trustee shall comply with the provisions of the Uniform Prudent Investor Act (§ 64.2-780 et seq.) and the Uniform Principal and Income Act (§ 64.2-1000 et seq.).

VA §64.2-764(D) provides that, for a transaction between a trustee and a beneficiary (not involving trust property) to be considered voidable by the beneficiary, the advantage flowing to the trustee must be “beyond the normal commercial advantage from such transaction.” A loan made by a corporate trustee’s commercial division to a trust beneficiary is an example of a transaction that does not involve trust property.

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UTC

§ 802. Duty of loyalty.

(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 1012, a sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the trustee’s own personal account or which is otherwise affected by a conflict between the trustee’s fiduciary and personal interests is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the transaction unless:
(1) the transaction was authorized by the terms of the trust;
(2) the transaction was approved by the court;
(3) the beneficiary did not commence a judicial proceeding within the time allowed by Section 1005;
(4) the beneficiary consented to the trustee’s conduct, ratified the transaction, or released the trustee in compliance with Section 1009; or
(5) the transaction involves a contract entered into or claim acquired by the trustee before the person became or contemplated becoming trustee.
(c) A sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property is presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if it is entered into by the trustee with:
(1) the trustee’s spouse;
(2) the trustee’s descendants, siblings, parents, or their spouses;
(3) an agent or attorney of the trustee; or
(4) a corporation or other person or enterprise in which the trustee, or a person that owns a significant interest in the trustee, has an interest that might affect the trustee’s best judgment.
(d) A transaction between a trustee and a beneficiary that does not concern trust property but that occurs during the existence of the trust or while the trustee retains significant influence over the beneficiary and from which the trustee obtains an advantage is voidable by the beneficiary unless the trustee establishes that the transaction was fair to the beneficiary.
(e) A transaction not concerning trust property in which the trustee engages in the trustee’s individual capacity involves a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the transaction concerns an opportunity properly belonging to the trust.
(f) An investment by a trustee in securities of an investment company or investment trust to which the trustee, or its affiliate, provides services in a capacity other than as trustee is not presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the investment otherwise complies with the prudent investor rule of [Article] 9. In addition to its compensation for acting as trustee, the trustee may be compensated by the investment company or investment trust for providing those services out of fees charged to the trust. If the trustee receives compensation from the investment company or investment trust for providing investment advisory or investment management services, the trustee must at least annually notify the persons entitled under Section 813 to receive a copy of the trustee’s annual report of the rate and method by which that compensation was determined.
(g) In voting shares of stock or in exercising powers of control over similar interests in other forms of enterprise, the trustee shall act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If the trust is the sole owner of a corporation or other form of enterprise, the trustee shall elect or appoint directors or other managers who will manage the corporation or enterprise in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
(h) This section does not preclude the following transactions, if fair to the beneficiaries:
(1) an agreement between a trustee and a beneficiary relating to the appointment or compensation of the trustee;
(2) payment of reasonable compensation to the trustee;
(3) a transaction between a trust and another trust, decedent’s estate, or [conservatorship] of which the trustee is a fiduciary or in which a beneficiary has an interest;
(4) a deposit of trust money in a regulated financial-service institution operated by the trustee; or
(5) an advance by the trustee of money for the protection of the trust.
(i) The court may appoint a special fiduciary to make a decision with respect to any proposed transaction that might violate this section if entered into by the trustee.

DC

§ 19-1308.02. Duty of loyalty.

(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 19-1310.12, a sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the trustee's own personal account or which is otherwise affected by a conflict between the trustee's fiduciary and personal interests is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the transaction unless:
(1) The transaction was authorized by the terms of the trust;
(2) The transaction was approved by the court;
(3) The beneficiary did not commence a judicial proceeding within the time allowed by section 19-1310.05;
(4) The beneficiary consented to the trustee's conduct, ratified the transaction, or released the trustee in compliance with section 19-1310.9; or
(5) The transaction involves a contract entered into or claim acquired by the trustee before the person became or contemplated becoming trustee.
(c) A sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property is presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if it is entered into by the trustee with:
(1) The trustee's spouse;
(2) The trustee's descendants, siblings, parents, or their spouses;
(3) An agent or attorney of the trustee; or
(4) A corporation or other person or enterprise in which the trustee, or a person that owns a significant interest in the trustee, has an interest that might affect the trustee's best judgment.
(d) A transaction between a trustee and a beneficiary that does not concern trust property but that occurs during the existence of the trust or while the trustee retains significant influence over the beneficiary and from which the trustee obtains an advantage is voidable by the beneficiary unless the trustee establishes that the transaction was fair to the beneficiary.
(e) A transaction not concerning trust property in which the trustee engages in the trustee's individual capacity involves a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the transaction concerns an opportunity properly belonging to the trust.
(f) An investment by a trustee in securities of an investment company or investment trust to which the trustee, or its affiliate, provides services in a capacity other than as trustee is not presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the investment complies with the prudent investor rule of subchapter IX of this chapter. In addition to its compensation for acting as trustee, the trustee may be compensated by the investment company or investment trust for providing those services out of fees charged to the trust. If the trustee receives compensation from the investment company or investment trust for providing investment advisory or investment management services, the trustee at least annually shall notify the persons entitled under section 19-1308.13 to receive a copy of the trustee's annual report of the rate and method by which that compensation was determined.
(g) In voting shares of stock or in exercising powers of control over similar interests in other forms of enterprise, the trustee shall act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If the trust is the sole owner of a corporation or other form of enterprise, the trustee shall elect or appoint directors or other managers who will manage the corporation or enterprise in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
(h) This section does not preclude the following transactions, if fair to the beneficiaries:
(1) An agreement between a trustee and a beneficiary relating to the appointment or compensation of the trustee;
(2) Payment of reasonable compensation to the trustee;
(3) A transaction between a trust and another trust, decedent's estate, or conservatorship of which the trustee is a fiduciary or in which a beneficiary has an interest;
(4) A deposit of trust money in a regulated financial-service institution operated by the trustee; or
(5) An advance by the trustee of money for the protection of the trust.
(i) The court may appoint a special fiduciary to make a decision with respect to any proposed transaction that might violate this section if entered into by the trustee.

MD

§ 14.5-802. Conflict between fiduciary and personal interests of trustee.

(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 § 14.5–909 of this title, a sale, an encumbrance, or any other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the personal account of the trustee or which is otherwise affected by a conflict between the fiduciary and personal interests of the trustee is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the transaction unless:
(1) The transaction was authorized by the terms of the trust;
(2) The transaction was approved by the court;
(3) The beneficiary did not commence a judicial proceeding within the time allowed by law;
(4) The beneficiary consented to the conduct of the trustee, ratified the transaction, or released the trustee in compliance with § 14.5–907 of this title; or
(5) The transaction involves a contract entered into or claim acquired by the trustee before the person became or contemplated becoming the trustee.
(c) A sale, an encumbrance, or any other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property is presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the transaction is entered into by the trustee with:
(1) The spouse of the trustee;
(2) A descendant, sibling, or parent of the trustee or a spouse of a descendant, sibling, or parent of the trustee;
(3) An agent or attorney of the trustee; or
(4) A corporation or any other person or enterprise in which the trustee, or a person that owns a significant interest in the trustee, has an interest that might affect the best judgment of the trustee.
[MISSING UTC(d)]
(d) A transaction that does not concern trust property in which the trustee engages in an individual capacity involves a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the transaction concerns an opportunity properly belonging to the trust.
[MISSING UTC(f)]
(e) (1) In voting shares of stock or in exercising powers of control over similar interests in other forms of enterprise, the trustee shall act in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
(2) If the trust is the sole owner of a corporation or any other form of enterprise, the trustee shall elect or appoint directors or other managers that will manage the corporation or enterprise in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
(f) This section does not preclude the following transactions, if fair to the beneficiaries:
(1) An agreement between a trustee and a beneficiary relating to the appointment or compensation of the trustee;
(2) Payment of reasonable compensation to the trustee;
(3) A transaction between a trust and another trust, decedent’s estate, or guardianship estate of which the trustee is a fiduciary or in which a beneficiary has an interest; or
[MISSING UTC(h)(4)]
(4) An advance by the trustee of money for the protection of the trust.
(g) The court may appoint a special fiduciary to make a decision with respect to a proposed transaction that might violate this section, if entered into by the trustee.

VA

§ 64.2-764. Duty of loyalty

A

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 § 64.2-803, a sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the trustee's own personal account or that is otherwise affected by a conflict between the trustee's fiduciary and personal interests is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the transaction unless:
1. The transaction was authorized by the terms of the trust;
2. The transaction was approved by the court;
3. The beneficiary did not commence a judicial proceeding within the time allowed by § 64.2-796;
4. The beneficiary consented to the trustee's conduct, ratified the transaction, or released the trustee in compliance with § 64.2-800; or
5. The transaction involves a contract entered into or claim acquired by the trustee before the person became or contemplated becoming trustee.
C. A sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property is presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if it is entered into by the trustee with:
1. The trustee's spouse;
2. The trustee's descendants, siblings, parents, or their spouses;
3. An agent or attorney of the trustee; or
4. A corporation or other person or enterprise in which the trustee, or a person that owns a significant interest in the trustee, has an interest that might affect the trustee's best judgment.
D. A transaction between a trustee and a beneficiary that does not concern trust property but that occurs during the existence of the trust or while the trustee retains significant influence over the beneficiary and from which the trustee obtains an advantage beyond the normal commercial advantage from such transaction is voidable by the beneficiary unless the trustee establishes that the transaction was fair to the beneficiary.
E. A transaction not concerning trust property in which the trustee engages in the trustee's individual capacity involves a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the transaction concerns an opportunity properly belonging to the trust.
F. An investment by a trustee in securities of an investment company, investment trust, mutual fund, or other investment or financial product to which the trustee, or an affiliate of the trustee, sponsors, sells, or provides services in a capacity other than as trustee is not presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the investment otherwise complies with the Uniform Prudent Investor Act (§ 64.2-780 et seq.) and § 64.2-1506. The trustee may be compensated by the investment company, investment trust, mutual fund, or other investment or financial product, or by the affiliated entity sponsoring, selling, or providing such service [MISSING "OUT OF FEES CHARGED TO THE TRUST"], and such compensation may be in addition to the compensation the trustee is receiving as a trustee if the trustee [MISSING "AT LEAST ANNUALLY"] notifies the persons entitled to receive a copy of the trustee's annual report under § 64.2-775 of the rate and method by which that compensation was determined and of any subsequent changes to such rate or method of compensation.
G. In voting shares of stock or in exercising powers of control over similar interests in other forms of enterprise, the trustee shall act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If the trust is the sole owner of a corporation or other form of enterprise, the trustee shall elect or appoint directors or other managers who will manage the corporation or enterprise in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
H. This section does not preclude the following transactions, if fair to the beneficiaries:
1. An agreement between a trustee and a beneficiary relating to the appointment or compensation of the trustee;
2. Payment of reasonable compensation to the trustee;
3. A transaction between a trust and another trust, decedent's estate, or conservatorship of which the trustee is a fiduciary or in which a beneficiary has an interest;
4. A deposit of trust money in a regulated financial service institution operated by the trustee; or
5. An advance by the trustee of money for the protection of the trust.
I. The court may appoint a special fiduciary to make a decision with respect to any proposed transaction that might violate this section if entered into by the trustee.

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UTC

§ 803. Impartiality.

If a trust has two or more beneficiaries, the trustee shall act impartially in investing, managing, and distributing the trust property, giving due regard to the beneficiaries’ respective interests

DC

§ 19-1308.03. Impartiality.

If a trust has 2 or more beneficiaries, the trustee shall act impartially in investing, managing, and distributing the trust property, giving due regard to the beneficiaries' respective interests.

MD

§ 14.5-803. Two or more beneficiaries.

If a trust has two or more beneficiaries, the trustee shall act impartially in investing, managing, and distributing the trust property, giving due regard to the respective interests of the beneficiaries.

VA

§ 64.2-765. Impartiality

If a trust has two or more beneficiaries, the trustee shall act impartially in investing, managing, and distributing the trust property, giving due regard to the beneficiaries' respective interests.

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UTC

§ 804. Prudent administration.

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.

DC

§ 19-1308.04. Prudent administration.

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.

MD

§ 14.5-804. Standard for administration.

(a) A trustee shall administer the trust as a prudent person would, by considering the purposes, terms, distributional requirements, and other circumstances of the trust.
(b) In satisfying the standard described in subsection (a) of this section, the trustee shall exercise reasonable care, skill, and caution.

VA

§ 64.2-766. Prudent administration

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.

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UTC

§ 805. Costs of administration.

In administering a trust, the trustee may incur only costs that are reasonable in relation to the trust property, the purposes of the trust, and the skills of the trustee.

DC

§ 19-1308.05. Costs of administration.

In administering a trust, the trustee may incur only costs that are reasonable in relation to the trust property, the purposes of the trust, and the skills of the trustee.

MD

§ 14.5-805. Incursion of allowable costs.

In administering a trust, the trustee may incur only costs that are reasonable in relation to the trust property, the purposes of the trust, and the skills of the trustee.

VA

§ 64.2-767. Costs of administration

In administering a trust, the trustee may incur only costs that are reasonable in relation to the trust property, the purposes of the trust, and the skills of the trustee.

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UTC

§ 806. Trustee’s skills.

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.

DC

§ 19-1308.06. Trustee's skills.

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.

MD

§ 14.5-806. Trustee with special skills or expertise.

A trustee that has special skills or expertise, or is named trustee in reliance on the representation of the trustee that the trustee has special skills or expertise, shall use those special skills or expertise.

VA

§ 64.2-768. Trustee's skills

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.

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UTC

§ 807. Delegation by trustee.

(a) A trustee may delegate duties and powers that a prudent trustee of comparable skills 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 the purposes and terms of the trust; and
(3) periodically reviewing the agent’s actions in order to monitor the agent’s performance and compliance with the terms of the delegation.
(b) In performing a delegated function, an agent owes a duty to the trust to exercise reasonable care to comply with the terms of the delegation.
(c) A trustee who complies with subsection (a) is not liable to the beneficiaries or to the trust for an action of the agent to whom the function was delegated.
(d) By accepting a delegation of powers or duties from the trustee of a trust that is subject to the law of this State, an agent submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State.

DC

§ 19-1308.07. Delegation by trustee.

(a) A trustee may delegate duties and powers that a prudent trustee of comparable skills 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 the purposes and terms of the trust; and
(3) Periodically reviewing the agent's actions in order to monitor the agent's performance and compliance with the terms of the delegation.
(b) In performing a delegated function, an agent owes a duty to the trust to exercise reasonable care to comply with the terms of the delegation.
(c) A trustee who complies with subsection (a) of this section is not liable to the beneficiaries or to the trust for an action of the agent to whom the function was delegated.
(d) By accepting a delegation of powers or duties from the trustee of a trust that is subject to the law of the District of Columbia, an agent submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the District of Columbia.

MD

§ 14.5-807. Delegation of duties and powers.

(a) (1) A trustee may delegate duties and powers that a prudent trustee of comparable skills could properly delegate under the circumstances to an agent, even if the agent is associated with the trustee.
(2) A trustee shall exercise reasonable care, skill, and caution in:
(i) Selecting an agent;
(ii) Establishing the scope and terms of the delegation, consistent with the purposes and terms of the trust;
And
(iii) Periodically reviewing the actions of the agent in order to monitor the performance of the agent and compliance with the terms of the delegation by the agent.
(b) In performing a delegated function, an agent owes a duty to the trust to exercise reasonable care to comply with the terms of the delegation.
[MISSING UTC(c)]
(c) By accepting a delegation of powers or duties from the trustee of a trust that is subject to the laws of this State, an agent submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State.
(d) This section does not apply to a delegation of investment duties or powers in accordance with § 15–114 of this article.

VA

§ 64.2-769. Delegation by trustee

A. A trustee may delegate duties and powers that a prudent trustee of comparable skills 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 the purposes and terms of the trust; and
3. Periodically reviewing the agent's actions in order to monitor the agent's performance and compliance with the terms of the delegation.
B. In performing a delegated function, an agent owes a duty to the trust to exercise reasonable care to comply with the terms of the delegation.
C. A trustee who complies with subsection A is not liable to the beneficiaries or to the trust for an action of the agent to whom the function was delegated.
D. By accepting a delegation of powers or duties from the trustee of a trust that is subject to the law of the Commonwealth, an agent submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth.

MD §14.5-808(c) requires a trustee to act in accordance with the direction of a trust advisor and relieves the trustee of any loss resulting therefrom, except in cases of willful misconduct by the trustee. In addition, the directed trustee has no duty to monitor the advisor, provide advice to the advisor or communicate with, warn or apprise any beneficiary or third party if the directed trustee might have acted in a different manner.
VA §64.2-770(E) similarly relieves the trustee of liability for acting in accordance with the trust director’s direction, except in the case of willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the trustee, and of the duty to monitor or provide information to the trust director or take action if the trustee disagrees with the trust director. N.B. For this subsection to apply, it must be incorporated by specific reference in the trust instrument.

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UTC

§ 808. Powers to direct.

(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, the trustee shall act in accordance with an exercise of the power unless the attempted exercise is manifestly contrary to the terms of the trust or the trustee knows the attempted exercise would constitute a serious breach of a fiduciary duty that the person holding the power owes to the beneficiaries of the trust.
(c) The terms of a trust may confer upon a trustee or other person a power to direct the modification or termination of the trust.
(d) A person, other than a beneficiary, who holds a power to direct is presumptively a fiduciary who, as such, is required to act in good faith with regard to the purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. The holder of a power to direct is liable for any loss that results from breach of a fiduciary duty.

DC

§ 19-1308.08. Powers to direct.

(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, the trustee shall act in accordance with an exercise of the power unless the attempted exercise is manifestly contrary to the terms of the trust or the trustee knows the attempted exercise would constitute a serious breach of a fiduciary duty that the person holding the power owes to the beneficiaries of the trust.
(c) The terms of a trust may confer upon a trustee or other person a power to direct the modification or termination of the trust.
(d) A person, other than a beneficiary, who holds a power to direct is presumptively a fiduciary who, as such, is required to act in good faith with regard to the purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. The holder of a power to direct is liable for any loss that results from breach of a fiduciary duty.

MD

§ 14.5-808. Actions contrary to trust terms; advisers and fiduciaries.

A

(a) While a trust is revocable, the trustee may follow a written direction of the settlor that is contrary to the terms of the trust.
[MTA(b) IS A COMBINATION OF UTC(b) AND (d); SENTENCE ORDER DIFFERS]
(b) (1) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the terms of a trust confer on one or more persons, other than the settlor of a revocable trust, a power to direct, consent to, or disapprove the actual or proposed investment decisions, distribution decisions, or other decisions of the trustee, the persons [MISSING "OTHER THAN A BENEFICIARY"] shall be considered advisers and fiduciaries that, as such, are required to act reasonably under the circumstances [SUBSTITUTED FOR "IN GOOD FAITH"] with regard to the purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries.
(ii) The trustee may not act in accordance with an exercise of the power if:
1. The attempted exercise is manifestly contrary to the terms of the trust, unless expressly waived in writing by the settlor; or
2. The trustee knows the attempted exercise would constitute a [MISSING "SERIOUS"] breach of a fiduciary duty that the person holding the power owes to the beneficiaries of the trust.
(2) a beneficiary that holds a power to direct, consent to, or disapprove of a trustee action may not be treated as a fiduciary with respect to the exercise of the power to the extent that the only persons whose interests in the trust are affected by the decision of the beneficiary are the beneficiary and those persons whose interests in the trust are subject to control by the beneficiary through the exercise of a power of appointment.
(3) An adviser under this subsection is liable for a loss that results from breach of a fiduciary duty.
(c) (1) If the terms of a trust require that a trustee shall follow the direction of an adviser with respect to proposed investment decisions, distribution decisions, or other decisions of the trustee:
(i) The trustee shall act in accordance with the direction of the adviser and may not be liable for a loss resulting directly or indirectly from the act except in the case of willful misconduct on the part of the trustee; and
(ii) The trustee shall have no duty to:
1. Monitor the conduct of the adviser;
2. Provide advice to the adviser; or
3. Communicate with, warn, or apprise a beneficiary or third party concerning instances in which the trustee would or might have exercised the discretion of the trustee in a manner different from the manner directed by the adviser.
(2) Absent a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary, the actions of the trustee pertaining to matters within the scope of the authority of the adviser, such as confirming that the directions of the adviser have been carried out and recording and reporting actions taken at the direction of the adviser, shall be presumed to be administrative actions taken by the trustee solely to allow the trustee to perform those duties assigned to the trustee by the terms of the trust, and these administrative actions may not be deemed to constitute an undertaking by the trustee to monitor the adviser or otherwise participate in actions within the scope of the authority of the adviser.
(d) Unless the terms of a trust otherwise provide, an adviser that is given authority with respect to investment decisions has the power to perform the following:
(1) Direct the trustee with respect to the retention, purchase, sale, or encumbrance of the trust property and the investment and reinvestment of principal and income from the trust;
(2) Vote proxies for securities held in trust; and
(3) Select one or more investment advisers, managers, or counselors, including the trustee, and delegate to the advisers, managers, or counselors a power of the adviser.

(e) The terms of a trust may confer on a trustee or other person a power to direct the modification or termination of the trust.

VA

§ 64.2-770. Powers to direct

A

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 (i) 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 and (ii) subsection E does not apply, the trustee shall act in accordance with an exercise of the power unless the attempted exercise is manifestly contrary to the terms of the trust or the trustee knows the attempted exercise would constitute a serious breach of a fiduciary duty that the person holding the power owes to the beneficiaries of the trust.
C. The terms of a trust may confer upon a trustee or other person a power to direct the modification or termination of the trust.
D. A person, other than a beneficiary, who holds a power to direct is presumptively a fiduciary who, as such, is required to act in good faith with regard to the purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. The holder of a power to direct is liable for any loss that results from breach of a fiduciary duty.
E. The provisions of this subsection shall apply if the settlor incorporates this subsection into the trust instrument by specific reference. The provisions of this subsection shall also apply if this subsection is incorporated into the trust instrument by a nonjudicial settlement agreement under §64.2-709 by specific reference.
1. For the purpose of this subsection, a "trust director" means any person who is not a trustee and who has, pursuant to the governing instrument, a power to direct the trustee on any matter. No person shall be a "trust director" for purposes of this subsection merely by holding a general or limited power of appointment over the trust assets.
Notwithstanding anything in the trust instrument to the contrary, the trust director shall be deemed a fiduciary who, as such, is required to act in good faith with regard to the purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. The trust director is liable for any loss that results from a breach of the trust director's fiduciary duty. Unless the governing instrument provides otherwise, the trust director may assert defenses to liability on the same basis as a trustee serving under the governing instrument, other than defenses provided to the trustee under this subsection. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a term of a trust relieving a trust director of liability for breach of trust is unenforceable to the extent that it (i) relieves the trust director of liability for breach of trust committed in bad faith or with reckless indifference to the purposes of the trust or the interests of the beneficiaries or (ii) was inserted as the result of an abuse by the trust director of a fiduciary or confidential relationship to the settlor. An exculpatory term drafted or caused to be drafted by the trust director is invalid as an abuse of a fiduciary or confidential relationship unless the trust director proves that the existence and contents of the exculpatory term were adequately communicated to the settlor.
2. A trustee who acts in accordance with a direction in the governing instrument that the trustee is to follow the trust director's direction or act only with the trust director's consent or direction shall not, other than in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the directed trustee, be liable for any loss resulting directly or indirectly from any act taken or not taken by the trustee (i) pursuant to the trust director's direction or (ii) as a result of the trust director's failure to direct, consent, or act, after receiving a request by the trustee for such direction, consent, or action.
3. A trustee shall not, except as otherwise expressly provided in the trust instrument, have any duty to (i) monitor the trust director's conduct; (ii) provide the trust director with information, other than material facts related to the trust administration expressly requested in writing by the trust director; (iii) inform or warn any beneficiary or third party that the trustee disagrees with any of the trust director's actions or directions; (iv) notify the trust director that the trustee disagrees with any of the trust director's actions or directions; (v) do anything to prevent the trust director from giving any direction or taking any action; or (vi) compel the trust director to redress its action or direction.
4. The actions of the trustee pertaining to matters within the scope of the authority of the trust director, including confirming that the trust director's directions have been carried out and recording and reporting actions taken pursuant to the trust director's direction, shall, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, presumptively be considered administrative actions by the trustee and not be considered to constitute either monitoring the trust director's actions or participating in the actions of the trust director.

MD §14.5-809 provides that a trustee of a revocable trust is not responsible for items of tangible personal property that are not in the possession or control of the trustee. This provision facilitates the transfer of tangible personal property to a revocable trust in order to avoid probate with respect to such property.

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UTC

§ 809. Control and protection of trust property.

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property.

DC

§ 19-1308.09. Control and protection of trust property.

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property.

MD

§ 14.5-809. Control and protection of trust property; exception.

A

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property, except that this duty does not apply to, and the trustee is not responsible for, items of tangible personal property that are property of a trust that is revocable by the settlor and that are not in the possession or control of the trustee.

VA

§ 64.2-771. Control and protection of trust property

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property.

VA §64.2-772(E) provides that a conveyance or transfer of real or personal property to a trust is deemed to be a conveyance or transfer of the property to the trustee(s). This provision has the same effect as DC §19-1304.18 and is intended to avoid title problems, particularly with respect to real property.

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UTC

§ 810. Recordkeeping and identification of trust property.

(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 the interest of the trust, to the extent feasible, appears in records maintained by a party other than a trustee or beneficiary.
(d) If the trustee maintains records clearly indicating the respective interests, a trustee may invest as a whole the property of two or more separate trusts.

DC

§ 19-1308.10. Recordkeeping and identification of trust property.

(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) of this section, a trustee shall cause the trust property to be designated so that the interest of the trust, to the extent feasible, appears in records maintained by a party other than a trustee or beneficiary.
(d) If the trustee maintains records clearly indicating the respective interests, a trustee may invest as a whole the property of 2 or more separate trusts.

MD

§ 14.5-810. Records; keeping property separate.

(a) A trustee shall keep adequate records of the administration of the trust.
(b) A trustee shall keep trust property separate from the property of the trustee.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, a trustee shall cause the trust property to be designated so that the interest of the trust, to the extent feasible, appears in records maintained by a party other than a trustee or beneficiary.
(d) If the trustee maintains records clearly indicating the respective interests, a trustee may invest as a whole the property of two or more separate trusts.

VA

§ 64.2-772. Recordkeeping and identification of trust property

A

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 the interest of the trust, to the extent feasible, appears in records maintained by a party other than a trustee or beneficiary.
D. If the trustee maintains records clearly indicating the respective interests, a trustee may invest as a whole the property of two or more separate trusts.
E. A deed or other instrument purporting to convey or transfer real or personal property to a trust instead of to the trustee or trustees of the trust shall be deemed to convey or transfer such property to the trustee or trustees as fully as if made directly to the trustee or trustees.

The MTA, in MD §14.5-811, affirmatively authorizes a trustee to abandon a claim that is unreasonable to enforce or assign the claim to a beneficiary. None of the UTC, the DC UTC, and the VA UTC has a corresponding provision.

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UTC

§ 811. Enforcement and defense of claims.

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims of the trust and to defend claims against the trust.

DC

§ 19-1308.11. Enforcement and defense of claims.

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims of the trust and to defend claims against the trust.

MD

§ 14.5-811. Enforcement, defense, abandonment or assignment of claims against trust.

A

(a) A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims of the trust and to defend claims against the trust.
(b) A trustee may abandon a claim that is unreasonable to enforce or assign the claim to one or more of the beneficiaries of the trust holding the claim.

VA

§ 64.2-773. Enforcement and defense of claims

A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims of the trust and to defend claims against the trust.

The UTC, the DC UTC, and the VA UTC require a trustee to redress a breach of trust known to the trustee to have been committed by a former trustee.

MD §14.5-812 states the general rule that a trustee is not liable to the beneficiary for a breach of trust committed by a former and sets forth three exceptions to this general rule. MD §14.5-812(b)(1) provides that a trustee is liable to the beneficiary for a breach of trust if the trustee knows or should know of a situation constituting a breach of trust committed by a former trustee and the trustee improperly permits it to continue. MD §14.5-812(b)(2) and (3) include the UTC duties on a trustee to take reasonable steps to compel a former trustee or other person to deliver trust property to the trust and to redress a breach of trust known to the trustee to have been committed by a former trustee. Unlike the UTC, these provisions specifically provide that a trustee is liable to the beneficiary for a breach of trust if the trustee neglects either of these duties. Also, under MD §14.5-812 (b)(3), a trustee is required to redress a breach of trust committed by a former trustee, deleting the express requirement that the trustee had knowledge of the breach. Accordingly, MD §§14.5-812(b)(1) and 14.5-812(b)(3) apply to situations where the trustee may not have actual knowledge, but simply “should know.”

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UTC

§ 812. Collecting trust property.

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.

DC

§ 19-1308.12. Collecting trust property.

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.

MD

§ 14.5-812. Breach of trust.

A

(a) A trustee is not liable to the beneficiary for a breach of trust committed by a former trustee.
(b) A trustee is liable to the beneficiary for a breach of trust if the trustee:
(1) Knows or should know of a situation constituting a breach of trust committed by a former trustee and the trustee improperly permits it to continue;

(2) Neglects to take reasonable steps to compel a former trustee or other person to deliver trust property to the trustee; or
(3) Neglects to take reasonable steps to redress a breach of trust [MISSING "KNOWN TO THE TRUSTEE"] committed by a former trustee.

VA

§ 64.2-774. Collecting trust property

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 or duty known to the trustee to have been committed by a former trustee or other fiduciary.

DC §19-1301.05(b)(9) omits the bracketed word “qualified,” with the effect that any beneficiary can request reports and other information from the trustee. However, DC §19-1301.05(c) allows the settlor to waive or modify the duties of a trustee to give notice, information and reports to beneficiaries by (1) waiving or modifying such duties during the lifetime of the settlor or the lifetime of the settlor’s surviving spouse, (2) specifying a different age at which a beneficiary of class of beneficiaries must be notified under DC §19-1308.13(b)(2) and (3), or (3) designating a person or persons to act in good faith to protect the interest of beneficiaries to receive any notice, information or reports in lieu of providing such notice, information or reports (under DC §19-1308.13) to the beneficiaries.
MD §14.5-813(a) and (c) entitle only “qualified” beneficiaries to information and reports from the trustee upon request. MD §14.5-105(10) contains a mandatory rule omitted from the UTC; it provides that the terms of the trust cannot alter the duty of the trustee to notify the “qualified” beneficiaries (age 25 or older) of an irrevocable trust of their rights to: know of the existence of a trust; know the identity of the trustee; request reports; request a copy of the trust instrument; and, receive other information reasonably related to the trust administration.

UTC §813 and corresponding sections of the DC UTC and the VA UTC include the requirement that the trustee keep the qualified beneficiaries reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for them to protect their interests. This requirement is not included in MD §14.5-813 because this was not part of the common law of trusts in Maryland.

MD §14.5-813 sets forth special requirements for methods of notice to qualified beneficiaries.
VA §64.2-703(B) does not prohibit the terms of a trust from altering or negating the duty of the trustee (under VA §64.2-775) to respond to beneficiaries’ requests for reports and other information. In addition, VA §64.2-703(B) omits the UTC provision prohibiting the terms of a trust from waiving the trustee’s duty (under VA §64.2-775) to notify qualified beneficiaries (age 25 or older) of an irrevocable trust of the existence of the trust, the identity of the trustee, and of their right to request trustee’s reports.

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UTC

§ 813. Duty to inform and report.

(a) A trustee shall keep the qualified beneficiaries of the trust reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for them to protect their interests. Unless unreasonable under the circumstances, a trustee shall promptly respond to a beneficiary’s request for information related to the administration of the trust.
(b) A trustee:
(1) upon request of a beneficiary, shall promptly furnish to the beneficiary a copy of the trust instrument;
(2) within 60 days after accepting a trusteeship, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the acceptance and of the trustee’s name, address, and telephone number;
(3) within 60 days after the date the trustee acquires knowledge of the creation of an irrevocable trust, or the date the trustee acquires knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, whether by the death of the settlor or otherwise, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the trust’s existence, of the identity of the settlor or settlors, of the right to request a copy of the trust instrument, and of the right to a trustee’s report as provided in subsection (c); and
(4) shall notify the qualified beneficiaries in advance of any change in the method or rate of the trustee’s compensation.
(c) A trustee shall send to the distributees or permissible distributees of trust income or principal, and to other qualified or nonqualified beneficiaries who request it, at least annually and at the termination of the trust, a report of the trust property, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements, including the source and amount of the trustee’s compensation, a listing of the trust assets and, if feasible, their respective market values. Upon a vacancy in a trusteeship, unless a cotrustee remains in office, a report must be sent to the qualified beneficiaries by the former trustee. A personal representative, [conservator], or [guardian] may send the qualified beneficiaries a report on behalf of a deceased or incapacitated trustee.
(d) A beneficiary may waive the right to a trustee’s report or other information otherwise required to be furnished under this section. A beneficiary, with respect to future reports and other information, may withdraw a waiver previously given.
(e) Subsections (b)(2) and (3) do not apply to a trustee who accepts a trusteeship before [the effective date of this [Code]], to an irrevocable trust created before [the effective date of this [Code]], or to a revocable trust that becomes irrevocable before [the effective date of this [Code]].

DC

§ 19-1308.13. Duty to inform and report.

A

(a) A trustee shall keep the qualified beneficiaries of the trust reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for them to protect their interests. Unless unreasonable under the circumstances, a trustee shall promptly respond to a beneficiary's request for information related to the administration of the trust.
(b) Subject to subsection (e) of this section, a trustee:
(1) Upon request of a beneficiary, shall promptly furnish to the beneficiary a copy of the trust instrument;
(2) Within 60 days after accepting a trusteeship, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the acceptance and of the trustee's name, address, and telephone number;
(3) Within 60 days after the date the trustee acquires knowledge of the creation of an irrevocable trust, or the date the trustee acquires knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, whether by the death of the settlor or otherwise, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the trust's existence, of the identity of the settlor or settlors, of the right to request a copy of the trust instrument, and of the right to a trustee's report as provided in subsection (c) of this section; and
(4) Shall notify the qualified beneficiaries in advance of any change in the method or rate of the trustee's compensation.
[DC(c) SEPARATES INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISTRIBUTEES AND BENEFICIARIES]
(c) (1) A trustee shall, [MISSING "AT LEAST"] annually and at the termination of the trust, send a report to the distributees and permissible distributees. [MISSING "OF TRUST INCOME OR PRINCIPAL"]
(2) A trustee shall, [MISSING "AT LEAST ANNUALLY AND"] at the termination of the trust, send a report to other qualified beneficiaries who request it.
(3) Upon a vacancy in a trusteeship, unless a cotrustee remains in office, the former trustee shall send a report to the qualified beneficiaries.
(4) Upon a vacancy in a trusteeship or [MISSING "AT LEAST ANNUALLY AND"] upon termination of the trust, the trustee shall send a report to a nonqualified beneficiary who requests it unless the preparation of the report was waived by the qualified beneficiaries.
(5) A personal representative, conservator, or guardian may send the qualified beneficiaries a report on behalf of a deceased or incapacitated trustee.
[DC DEFINES "REPORT"]
(6) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "report" means a report of the trust property, liabilities, receipts, disbursement, and distributions, including the source and amount of the trustee's compensation, a listing of the trust assets and, if feasible, their respective market value.
(d) A beneficiary may waive the right to a trustee's report or other information otherwise required to be furnished under this section. A beneficiary, with respect to future reports and other information, may withdraw a waiver previously given.
(e) Subsections (a), (b), and (c) [DC LISTS MORE SUBSECTIONS] of this section do not apply to [MISSING "A TRUSTEE WHO ACCEPTS . . . BEFORE X DATE,] a trust created under an instrument executed before the effective date of this chapter [March 10, 2004]. ADAPTATION OF "AN IRREVOCABLE TRUST . . . OR A REVOCABLE TRUST . . . BEFORE X DATE]

MD

§ 14.5-813. Duties in general.

A

[MISSING "A TRUSTEE SHALL KEEP . . . REASONABLY INFORMED . . . TO PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS."]
(a) Unless unreasonable under the circumstances, a trustee shall promptly respond to the request of a qualified beneficiary for information related to the administration of the trust, including a copy of the trust instrument.
(b) (1) A trustee:
(i) Within 60 days after accepting a trusteeship, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the acceptance and of the trustee’s name, address, and telephone number; and
(ii) Within 90 [SUBSTITUTED FOR "60"] days after the date the trustee acquires knowledge of the creation of an irrevocable trust, or the date the trustee acquires knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, whether by the death of the settlor or otherwise, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the trust’s existence, of the identity of the settlor or settlors, of the right to request a copy of the trust instrument, and of the right to a trustee’s report as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(2) Notwithstanding § 14.5–109 of this title, notice required under this subsection shall be:
(i) To the extent the names and locations of the qualified beneficiaries are known to the trustee:
1. By delivery of the notice to the qualified beneficiaries personally; or
2. By sending the notice to the qualified beneficiaries at their last known address by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested; and (ii) If the name, location, or both of a qualified beneficiary is not known to the trustee, by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the trust property is located once a week for 3 successive weeks.
[MISSING UTC(b)(4)]

(c) (1) On request by a qualified beneficiary, a trustee shall send to the qualified beneficiary [MTA REFERS ONLY TO "QUALIFIED BENEFICIARY"; MISSING "DISTRIBUTEES OR PERMISSIBLE DISTRIBUTEES" AND MISSING "NONQUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES WHO REQUEST."] [MISSING "AT LEAST"] annually and at the termination of the trust a report of the trust property, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements, including the source and amount of the compensation of the trustee, a listing of the trust assets, and, if feasible, the respective market values of the trust assets.
(2) On a vacancy in a trusteeship, unless a cotrustee remains in office, the former trustee shall send a report to the qualified beneficiaries that request the report.
(3) A personal representative, a guardian, or an attorney–in–fact may send the qualified beneficiaries a report on behalf of the former [SUBSTITUTED FOR "DECEASED OR INCAPACITATED"] trustee.
(d) (1) A qualified beneficiary may waive the right to a trustee’s report or other information otherwise required to be furnished under this section.
(2) A qualified beneficiary, with respect to future reports and other information, may withdraw a waiver previously given.
(3) If a trustee is a qualified beneficiary of the trust for which the trustee is serving, the trustee is not required to provide himself or herself a trustee's report or other information required to be furnished under this section.
(e) Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to a trustee that accepts a trusteeship before January 1, 2015, to an irrevocable trust created before January 1, 2015, or to a revocable trust that becomes irrevocable before January 1, 2015.

VA

§ 64.2-775. Duty to inform and report

A

A. A trustee shall keep the qualified beneficiaries of the trust reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for them to protect their interests. Unless unreasonable under the circumstances, a trustee shall promptly respond to a beneficiary's request for information related to the administration of the trust. A trustee who fails [VA(a) PHRASED AS FAILURE TO ACT] to furnish information to a beneficiary or respond to a request for information regarding the administration of the trust in a good faith belief that to do so would be unreasonable under the circumstances or contrary to the purposes of the settlor shall not be subject to removal or other sanctions therefor.
B. A trustee:
1. Upon request of a beneficiary, shall promptly furnish to the beneficiary a copy of the trust instrument;
2. Within 60 days after accepting a trusteeship, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the acceptance and of the trustee's name, address, and telephone number;
3. Within 60 days after the date the trustee acquires knowledge of the creation of an irrevocable trust, or the date the trustee acquires knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, whether by the death of the settlor or otherwise, shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the trust's existence, of the identity of the settlor or settlors, of the right to request a copy of the trust instrument, and of the right to a trustee's report as provided in subsection C; and
4. Shall notify the qualified beneficiaries in advance of any change in the method or rate of the trustee's compensation.
C. A trustee shall send to the distributees or permissible distributees of trust income or principal, and to other qualified or nonqualified beneficiaries who request it, at least annually and at the termination of the trust, a report of the trust property, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements, including the source and amount of the trustee's compensation, a listing of the trust assets and, if feasible, their respective market values. Upon a vacancy in a trusteeship, unless a cotrustee remains in office, a report shall be sent to the qualified beneficiaries by the former trustee. A personal representative, conservator, or guardian may send the qualified beneficiaries a report on behalf of a deceased or incapacitated trustee.
D. A beneficiary may waive the right to a trustee's report or other information otherwise required to be furnished under this section. A beneficiary, with respect to future reports and other information, may withdraw a waiver previously given.
E. Subdivisions B 2 and B 3 and subsection C apply only [SEE NOTE BELOW] to an irrevocable trust created on or after the effective date of this chapter, and to a revocable trust that becomes irrevocable on or after the effective date of this chapter. [UTC(e) PHRASED AS PROHIBITIVE AND USES "BEFORE X DATE"; WHILE VA(E) PHRASED IN AFFIRMATIVE AND USES "ON OR AFTER." ALSO MISSING "TO A TRUSTEE WHO ACCEPTS A TRUSTEESHIP BEFORE [X DATE]".]

MD §14.5-814 is a tax-savings clause that prevents the grant of inadvertent general powers of appointments and inadvertent gifts.

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UTC

§ 814. Discretionary powers; tax savings.

(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 the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries.
(b) Subject to subsection (d), and unless the terms of the trust expressly indicate that a rule in this subsection does not apply:
(1) a person other than a settlor who is a beneficiary and trustee of a trust that confers on the trustee a power to make discretionary distributions to or for the trustee’s personal benefit may exercise the power only in accordance with an ascertainable standard; and
(2) a trustee may not exercise a power to make discretionary distributions to satisfy a legal obligation of support that the trustee personally owes another person.
(c) A power whose exercise is limited or prohibited by subsection (b) may be exercised by a majority of the remaining trustees whose exercise of the power is not so limited or prohibited. If the power of all trustees is so limited or prohibited, the court may appoint a special fiduciary with authority to exercise the power.
(d) Subsection (b) does not apply to:
(1) a power held by the settlor’s spouse who is the trustee of a trust for which a marital deduction, as defined in Section 2056(b)(5) or 2523(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect on [the effective date of this [Code]] [, or as later amended], was previously allowed;
(2) any trust during any period that the trust may be revoked or amended by its settlor; or
(3) a trust if contributions to the trust qualify for the annual exclusion
under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect on [the effective date of this [Code]] [, or as later amended].

DC

§ 19-1308.14. Discretionary powers; tax savings.

(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 the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries.
[MISSING UTC(b)(1),(2),(c),(d)(1),(2),(3)]
(b) Section 21-1722 applies to a trust governed by this chapter.

MD

§ 14.5-814. Prohibited powers.

A

***Former MD E&T 14-109 re-enacted***
[UTC(a) MOVED TO MD E&T 14.5-203(a)(3)]

(a) None of the following powers conferred on a trustee by the governing instrument may be exercised by that trustee:
(1) [MISSING "A PERSON OTHER A SETTLOR WHO IS A BENEFICIARY AND"] The power to make discretionary distributions of either principal or income to, or for the benefit of, the trustee in the individual capacity of the trustee, unless limited by an ascertainable standard relating to the health, education, support, or maintenance of the trustee, as defined in 26 U.S.C. §§ 2041 and 2514 and the U.S. Treasury Regulations issued under those sections;
(2) The power to make discretionary distributions of either principal or income to satisfy a legal obligation of the trustee in the individual capacity of the trustee for support or other purposes;
(3) The power to make discretionary allocations in favor of the trustee of receipts or expenses as between income and principal;
(4) A power, in whatever capacity held, to remove or replace a trustee that holds a power proscribed in this subsection;
Or
(5) The power to exercise a power proscribed in this subsection with regard to a beneficiary other than the trustee to the extent that the beneficiary could exercise a similar prohibited power in connection with a trust which benefits the trustee.
(b) If a trustee is prohibited by subsection (a)(1) of this section from exercising a power conferred on the trustee, the trustee may nevertheless exercise the power except that the exercise of that power by the trustee shall be limited by an ascertainable standard relating to the health, education, support, or maintenance of the trustee, as defined in 26 U.S.C. §§ 2041 and 2514 and the U.S. Treasury Regulations issued under those sections.
[MISSING UTC(c)]
(c) If the governing instrument contains a power described under subsection (a) of this section, and there is no trustee that can exercise the power, on application of a party in interest, a court may appoint a trustee that is not otherwise disqualified under this section to exercise the power during the period of time that the court designates.
(d) This section does not apply if:
(1) As a result of the application of subsection (a) of this section, a marital deduction for the trust property would not be allowed to a spouse who is a trustee and to whom a marital deduction would otherwise be allowed under the Internal Revenue Code;
(2) The trust is revocable or amendable, during the time that the trust remains revocable or amendable; or
(3) Contributions to the trust qualify for the annual exclusion under § 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as in effect on the effective date of this title, or as later amended.
(e) (1) In this subsection, “parties in interest” means:
(i) Each trustee of the trust then serving; and
(ii) Each income beneficiary and remainder beneficiary of the trust then in existence or, if the beneficiary has not attained majority or is otherwise incapacitated, the legal representative of the beneficiary under applicable law or the donee of the beneficiary under a durable power of attorney that is sufficient to grant the authority.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, this section applies
to:
(i) A trust created under a governing instrument executed after September 30, 1995, unless the terms of the governing instrument provide expressly that this section does not apply; and
(ii) A trust created under a governing instrument executed before October 1, 1995, unless all parties in interest elect affirmatively not to be subject to the application of this section on or before the later of October 1, 1998, and 3 years after the date on which the trust becomes irrevocable.
(f) The affirmative election required under subsection (e) of this section shall be made through a written declaration signed by the interested person and delivered to the trustee.

VA

§ 64.2-776. Discretionary powers; tax savings

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 the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries.
B. Subject to subsection D, and unless the terms of the trust expressly indicate that a rule in this subsection does not apply:
1. A person other than a settlor who is a beneficiary and trustee of a trust that confers on the trustee a power to make discretionary distributions to or for the trustee's personal benefit may exercise the power only in accordance with an ascertainable standard; and
2. A trustee may not exercise a power to make discretionary distributions to satisfy a legal obligation of support that the trustee personally owes another person. For purposes of this subsection, "trustee" includes a person who is deemed to have any power of a trustee, whether because such person has the right to remove or replace any trustee or because a reciprocal trust or power doctrine applies.
C. A power whose exercise is limited or prohibited by subsection B may be exercised by a majority of the remaining trustees whose exercise of the power is not so limited or prohibited. If the power of all trustees is so limited or prohibited, the court may appoint a special fiduciary with authority to exercise the power.
D. Subsection B does not apply to:
1. A power held by the settlor's spouse who is the trustee of a trust for which a marital deduction, as defined in § 2056(b)(5) or 2523(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect on the effective date of this chapter, or as later amended, was previously allowed;
2. Any trust during any period that the trust may be revoked or amended by its settlor; or
3. A trust if contributions to the trust qualify for the annual exclusion under § 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect on the effective date of this chapter, or as later amended.

MD §14.5-815(a)(2)(iii) adds a reference to the new Maryland Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (“MFADAA”) which took effect on October 1, 2016. This additional provision gives the trustee authority to exercise the powers conferred in the MFADAA.
Because well-drafted Virginia trust instruments contain language conferring on fiduciaries, by incorporation, the powers listed in VA §64.2-105, there will be duplication between the powers conferred expressly in the instrument and those arising by application of default rules under the approach of the VA UTC. VA §64.2-777(C) and VA §64.2-778(B) are included to reduce the likelihood of conflict between express powers in an instrument and those under default rules.

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UTC

§ 815. General powers of trustee.

(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) any other powers appropriate to achieve the proper investment, management, and distribution of the trust property; and
(C) any other powers conferred by this [Code].
(b) The exercise of a power is subject to the fiduciary duties prescribed by this [article].

DC

§ 19-1308.15. General powers of trustee.

(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) Any other powers appropriate to achieve the proper investment, management, and distribution of the trust property; and
(C) Any other powers conferred by this chapter.
(b) The exercise of a power is subject to the fiduciary duties prescribed by this subchapter.

MD

§ 14.5-815. Powers of trustee without authorization of court.

A

(a) A trustee, without authorization by the court, may exercise:
(1) Powers conferred by the terms of the trust; or
(2) Except as limited by the terms of the trust:
(i) All powers over the trust property that an unmarried competent owner has over individually owned property;
(ii) Other powers appropriate to achieve the proper investment, management, and distribution of the trust property; and
(iii) Other powers conferred by this title or Title 15, Subtitle 6 of this article.
[MISSING UTC(b)]

VA

§ 64.2-777. General powers of trustee

A

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 that an unmarried competent owner has over individually owned proper-ty;
b. Any other powers appropriate to achieve the proper investment, management, and distribution of the trust property; and
c. Any other powers conferred by this chapter.
B. The exercise of a power is subject to the fiduciary duties prescribed by this article.
C. Any reference in a trust instrument incorporating the powers authorized under § 64.2-105 shall not be construed to limit powers a trustee may exercise pursuant to this section, unless the settlor expressly states in the trust instrument that such reference should be so construed.

Because well-drafted Virginia trust instruments contain language conferring on fiduciaries, by incorporation, the powers listed in VA §64.2-105, there will be duplication between the powers conferred expressly in the instrument and those arising by application of default rules under the approach of the VA UTC. VA §64.2-777(C) and VA §64.2-778(B) are included to reduce the likelihood of conflict between express powers in an instrument and those under default rules.

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UTC

§ 816. Specific powers of trustee.

Without limiting the authority conferred by Section 815, a trustee may:
(1) collect trust property and accept or reject additions to the trust property from a settlor or any other person;
(2) acquire or sell property, for cash or on credit, at public or private sale;
(3) exchange, partition, or otherwise change the character of trust property;
(4) deposit trust money in an account in a regulated financial-service institution;
(5) borrow money, with or without security, and mortgage or pledge trust property for a period within or extending beyond the duration of the trust;
(6) with respect to an interest in a proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or other form of business or enterprise, continue the business or other enterprise and take any action that may be taken by shareholders, members, or property owners, including merging, dissolving, or otherwise changing the form of business organization or contributing additional capital;
(7) with respect to stocks or other securities, exercise the rights of an absolute owner, including the right to:
(A) vote, or give proxies to vote, with or without power of substitution, or enter into or continue a voting trust agreement;
(B) hold a security in the name of a nominee or in other form without disclosure of the trust so that title may pass by delivery;
(C) pay calls, assessments, and other sums chargeable or accruing against the securities, and sell or exercise stock subscription or conversion rights; and
(D) deposit the securities with a depositary or other regulated financial-service institution;
(8) with respect to an interest in real property, construct, or make ordinary or extraordinary repairs to, alterations to, or improvements in, buildings or other structures, demolish improvements, raze existing or erect new party walls or buildings, subdivide or develop land, dedicate land to public use or grant public or private easements, and make or vacate plats and adjust boundaries;
(9) enter into a lease for any purpose as lessor or lessee, including a lease or other arrangement for exploration and removal of natural resources, with or without the option to purchase or renew, for a period within or extending beyond the duration of the trust;
(10) grant an option involving a sale, lease, or other disposition of trust property or acquire an option for the acquisition of property, including an option exercisable beyond the duration of the trust, and exercise an option so acquired;
(11) insure the property of the trust against damage or loss and insure the trustee, the trustee’s agents, and beneficiaries against liability arising from the administration of the trust;
(12) abandon or decline to administer property of no value or of insufficient value to justify its collection or continued administration;
(13) with respect to possible liability for violation of environmental law:
(A) inspect or investigate property the trustee holds or has been asked to hold, or property owned or operated by an organization in which the trustee holds or has been asked to hold an interest, for the purpose of determining the application of environmental law with respect to the property;
(B) take action to prevent, abate, or otherwise remedy any actual or potential violation of any environmental law affecting property held directly or indirectly by the trustee, whether taken before or after the assertion of a claim or the initiation of governmental enforcement;
(C) decline to accept property into trust or disclaim any power with respect to property that is or may be burdened with liability for violation
of environmental law;
(D) compromise claims against the trust which may be asserted for an alleged violation of environmental law; and
(E) pay the expense of any inspection, review, abatement, or remedial action to comply with environmental law;
(14) pay or contest any claim, settle a claim by or against the trust, and release, in whole or in part, a claim belonging to the trust;
(15) pay taxes, assessments, compensation of the trustee and of employees and agents of the trust, and other expenses incurred in the administration of the trust;
(16) exercise elections with respect to federal, state, and local taxes;
(17) select a mode of payment under any employee benefit or retirement plan, annuity, or life insurance payable to the trustee, exercise rights thereunder, including exercise of the right to indemnification for expenses and against liabilities, and take appropriate action to collect the proceeds;
(18) make loans out of trust property, including loans to a beneficiary on terms and conditions the trustee considers to be fair and reasonable under the circumstances, and the trustee has a lien on future distributions for repayment of those loans;
(19) pledge trust property to guarantee loans made by others to the beneficiary;
(20) appoint a trustee to act in another jurisdiction with respect to trust property located in the other jurisdiction, confer upon the appointed trustee all of the powers and duties of the appointing trustee, require that the appointed trustee furnish security, and remove any trustee so appointed;
(21) pay an amount distributable to a beneficiary who is under a legal disability or who the trustee reasonably believes is incapacitated, by paying it directly to the beneficiary or applying it for the beneficiary’s benefit, or by:
(A) paying it to the beneficiary’s [conservator] or, if the beneficiary does not have a [conservator], the beneficiary’s [guardian];
(B) paying it to the beneficiary’s custodian under [the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act] or custodial trustee under [the Uniform Custodial Trust Act], and, for that purpose, creating a custodianship or custodial trust;
(C) if the trustee does not know of a [conservator], [guardian], custodian, or custodial trustee, paying it to an adult relative or other person having legal or physical care or custody of the beneficiary, to be expended on the beneficiary’s behalf; or
(D) managing it as a separate fund on the beneficiary’s behalf, subject to the beneficiary’s continuing right to withdraw the distribution;
(22) on distribution of trust property or the division or termination of a trust, make distributions in divided or undivided interests, allocate particular assets in proportionate or disproportionate shares, value the trust property for those purposes, and adjust for resulting differences in valuation;
(23) resolve a dispute concerning the interpretation of the trust or its administration by mediation, arbitration, or other procedure for alternative dispute resolution;
(24) prosecute or defend an action, claim, or judicial proceeding in any jurisdiction to protect trust property and the trustee in the performance of the trustee’s duties;
(25) sign and deliver contracts and other instruments that are useful to
achieve or facilitate the exercise of the trustee’s powers; and
(26) on termination of the trust, exercise the powers appropriate to wind up the administration of the trust and distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to it.

DC

§ 19-1308.16. Specific powers of trustee.

Without limiting the authority conferred by section 19-1308.15, a trustee may:
(1) Collect trust property and accept or reject additions to the trust property from a settlor or any other person;
(2) Acquire or sell property, for cash or on credit, at public or private sale;
(3) Exchange, partition, or otherwise change the character of trust property;
(4) Deposit trust money in an account in a regulated financial-service institution;
(5) Borrow money, with or without security, and mortgage or pledge trust property for a period within or extending beyond the duration of the trust;
(6) With respect to an interest in a proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or other form of business or enterprise, continue the business or other enterprise and take any action that may be taken by shareholders, members, or property owners, including merging, dissolving, or otherwise changing the form of business organization or contributing additional capital;
(7) With respect to stocks or other securities, exercise the rights of an absolute owner, including the right to:
(A) Vote, or give proxies to vote, with or without power of substitution, or enter into or continue a voting trust agreement;
(B) Hold a security in the name of a nominee or in other form without disclosure of the trust so that title may pass by delivery;
(C) Pay calls, assessments, and other sums chargeable or accruing against the securities, and sell or exercise stock subscription or conversion rights;
(D) Exercise stock options and other rights; and
(E) Deposit the securities with a depositary or other regulated financial-service institution;
(8) With respect to an interest in real property, construct, or make ordinary or extraordinary repairs to, alterations to, or improvements in, buildings or other structures, demolish improvements, raze existing or erect new party walls or buildings, subdivide or develop land, dedicate land to public use or grant public or private easements, and make or vacate plats and adjust boundaries;
(9) Enter into a lease for any purpose as lessor or lessee, including a lease or other arrangement for exploration and removal of natural resources, with or without the option to purchase or renew, for a period within or extending beyond the duration of the trust;
(10) Grant an option involving a sale, lease, or other disposition of trust property or acquire an option for the acquisition of property, including an option exercisable beyond the duration of the trust, and exercise an option so acquired;
(11) Insure the property of the trust against damage or loss and insure the trustee, the trustee's agents, and beneficiaries against liability arising from the administration of the trust;
(12) Abandon or decline to administer property of no value or of insufficient value to justify its collection or continued administration;
(13) With respect to possible liability for violation of environmental law.
(A) Inspect or investigate property the trustee holds or has been asked to hold, or property owned or operated by an organization in which the trustee holds or has been asked to hold an interest, for the purpose of determining the application of environmental law with respect to the property;
(B) Take action to prevent, abate, or otherwise remedy any actual or potential violation of any environmental law affecting property held directly or indirectly by the trustee, whether taken before or after the assertion of a claim or the initiation of governmental enforcement;
(C) Decline to accept property into trust or disclaim any power with respect to property that is or may be burdened with liability for violation of environmental law;
(D) Compromise claims against the trust which may be asserted for an alleged violation of environmental law; and
(E) Pay the expense of any inspection, review, abatement, or remedial action to comply with environmental law;
(14) Pay or contest any claim, settle a claim by or against the trust, and release, in whole or in part, a claim belonging to the trust;
(15) Pay taxes, assessments, compensation of the trustee and of employees and agents of the trust, and other expenses incurred in the administration of the trust;
(16) Exercise elections with respect to federal, state, and local taxes;
(17) Select a mode of payment under any employee benefit or retirement plan, annuity, or life insurance payable to the trustee, exercise rights thereunder, including exercise of the right to indemnification for expenses and against liabilities, and take appropriate action to collect the proceeds;
(18) Make loans out of trust property, including loans to a beneficiary on terms and conditions the trustee considers to be fair and reasonable under the circumstances, and the trustee has a lien on future distributions for repayment of those loans;
(19) Pledge trust property to guarantee loans made by others to the beneficiary;
(20) Appoint a trustee to act in another jurisdiction with respect to trust property located in the other jurisdiction, confer upon the appointed trustee all of the powers and duties of the appointing trustee, require that the appointed trustee furnish security, and remove any trustee so appointed;
(21) Pay an amount distributable to a beneficiary who is under a legal disability or who the trustee reasonably believes is incapacitated, by paying it directly to the beneficiary or applying it for the beneficiary's benefit, or by:
(A) Paying it to the beneficiary's conservator or, if the beneficiary does not have a conservator, to an agent of the beneficiary authorized to receive payment, or if there is no such agent, to the beneficiary's guardian;
(B) Paying it to the beneficiary's custodian under Chapter 3 of Title 21 or under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act of another state or custodial trustee under Chapter 13 of Title 19, or under the Uniform Custodial Trusts Act of another state; [MISSING "AND, FOR THAT PURPOSE, . . . OR CUSTODIAL TRUST"]
(C) If the trustee does not know of a conservator, agent authorized to receive payment, guardian, custodian, or custodial trustee, paying it to an adult relative or other person having legal or physical care or custody of the beneficiary, to be expended on the beneficiary's behalf; or
(D) Managing it as a separate fund on the beneficiary's behalf, subject to the beneficiary's continuing right to withdraw the distribution;
(22) On distribution of trust property or the division or termination of a trust, make distributions in divided or undivided interests, allocate particular assets in proportionate or disproportionate shares, value the trust property for those purposes, and adjust for resulting differences in valuation;
(23) Resolve a dispute concerning the interpretation of the trust or its administration by mediation, arbitration, or other procedure for alternative dispute resolution;
(24) Prosecute or defend an action, claim, or judicial proceeding in any jurisdiction to protect trust property and the trustee in the performance of the trustee's duties;
(25) Sign and deliver contracts and other instruments that are useful to achieve or facilitate the exercise of the trustee's powers;
(26) On termination of the trust, exercise the powers appropriate to wind up the administration of the trust and distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to it; and
(27) Purchase and pay premiums on life insurance on the life of any beneficiary.

MD

§ 14.5-816. Powers of trustee in general.

(a) A trustee has those powers enumerated in the trust instrument.
(b) Without limiting the authority conferred by § 14.5–815 of this title and § 15–102 of this article, a trustee may exercise the powers specified in this section.
[MTA(c) RE-ENACTS/RE-WRITES FORMER MD E&T § 14-108(b)]
(c) With respect to possible liability for violation of environmental law, a trustee may:
(1) Inspect or investigate property the trustee holds or has been asked to hold, or property owned or operated by an organization in which the trustee holds or has been asked to hold an interest, for the purpose of determining the application of environmental law with respect to the property;
(2) Take action to prevent, abate, or otherwise remedy any actual or potential violation of any environmental law affecting property held directly or indirectly by the trustee, whether taken before or after the assertion of a claim or the initiation of governmental enforcement;
(3) Decline to accept property into trust or disclaim a power with respect to property that is or may be burdened with liability for violation of environmental law;
(4) Compromise claims against the trust which may be asserted for an alleged violation of environmental law; and
(5) Pay the expense of an inspection, a review, an abatement, or a remedial action to comply with environmental law.
[MTA(d) RE-ENACTS FORMER MD E&T § 14-111]
(d) A trustee may donate a conservation easement on real property, or consent to the donation of a conservation easement on real property by a personal representative of an estate of which the trustee is a legatee, in order to obtain the benefit of the estate tax exclusion allowed under §2031(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if:
(1) The governing instrument authorizes or directs the donation of a conservation easement on the real property; or
(2) Each beneficiary that has an interest in the real property that would be affected by the conservation easement consents in writing to the donation.

VA

§ 64.2-778. Specific powers of trustee

A

A. Without limiting the authority conferred by § 64.2-777, a trustee may:
1. Collect trust property and accept or reject additions to the trust property from a settlor or any other person;
2. Acquire or sell property, for cash or on credit, at public or private sale;
3. Exchange, partition, or otherwise change the character of trust property;
4. Deposit trust money in an account in a regulated financial service institution;
5. Borrow money, with or without security, and mortgage or pledge trust property for a period within or extending beyond the duration of the trust;
6. With respect to an interest in a proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or other form of business or enterprise, continue the business or other enterprise and take any action that may be taken by shareholders, members, or property owners, including merging, dissolving, or otherwise changing the form of business organization or contributing additional capital;
7. With respect to stocks or other securities, exercise the rights of an absolute owner, including the right to:
a. Vote, or give proxies to vote, with or without power of substitution, or enter into or continue a voting trust agreement;
b. Hold a security in the name of a nominee or in other form without disclosure of the trust so that title may pass by delivery;
c. Pay calls, assessments, and other sums chargeable or accruing against the securities, and sell or exercise stock subscription or conversion rights; and
d. Deposit the securities with a depository or other regulated financial service institution;
8. With respect to an interest in real property, construct, or make ordinary or extraordinary repairs to, alterations to, or improvements in, buildings or other structures, demolish improvements, raze existing or erect new party walls or buildings, subdivide or develop land, dedicate land to public use or grant public or private easements, and make or vacate plats and adjust boundaries;
9. Enter into a lease for any purpose as lessor or lessee, including a lease or other arrangement for exploration and removal of natural resources, with or without the option to purchase or renew, for a period within or extending beyond the duration of the trust;
10. Grant an option involving a sale, lease, or other disposition of trust property or acquire an option for the acquisition of property, including an option exercisable beyond the duration of the trust, and exercise an option so acquired;
11. Insure the property of the trust against damage or loss and insure the trustee, the trustee's agents, and beneficiaries against liability arising from the administration of the trust;
12. Abandon or decline to administer property of no value or of insufficient value to justify its collection or continued administration;
13. With respect to possible liability for violation of environmental law:
a. Inspect or investigate property the trustee holds or has been asked to hold, or property owned or operated by an organization in which the trustee holds or has been asked to hold an interest, for the purpose of determining the application of environmental law with respect to the property;
b. Take action to prevent, abate, or otherwise remedy any actual or potential violation of any environmental law affecting property held directly or indirectly by the trustee, whether taken before or after the assertion of a claim or the initiation of governmental enforcement;
c. Decline to accept property into trust or disclaim any power with respect to property that is or may be burdened with liability for violation of environmental law;
d. Compromise claims against the trust that may be asserted for an alleged violation of environmental law; and
e. Pay the expense of any inspection, review, abatement, or remedial action to comply with environmental law;
14. Pay or contest any claim, settle a claim by or against the trust, and release, in whole or in part, a claim belonging to the trust;
15. Pay taxes, assessments, compensation of the trustee and of employees and agents of the trust, and other expenses incurred in the administration of the trust;
16. Exercise elections with respect to federal, state, and local taxes;
17. Select a mode of payment under any employee benefit or retirement plan, annuity, or life insurance payable to the trustee, exercise rights thereunder, including exercise of the right to indemnification for expenses and against liabilities, and take appropriate action to collect the proceeds;
18. Make loans out of trust property, including loans to a beneficiary on terms and conditions the trustee considers to be fair and reasonable under the circumstances, and the trustee has a lien on future distributions for repayment of those loans;
19. Pledge trust property to guarantee loans made by others to the beneficiary;
20. Appoint a trustee to act in another jurisdiction with respect to trust property located in the other jurisdiction, confer upon the appointed trustee all of the powers and duties of the appointing trustee, require that the appointed trustee furnish security, and remove any trustee so appointed;
21. Pay an amount distributable to a beneficiary who is under a legal disability or who the trustee reasonably believes is incapacitated, by paying it directly to the beneficiary or applying it for the beneficiary's benefit, or by:
a. Paying it to the beneficiary's conservator or, if the beneficiary does not have a conservator, the beneficiary's guardian;
b. Paying it to the beneficiary's custodian under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (§ 64.2-1900 et seq.) or custodial trustee under the Uniform Custodial Trust Act (§ 64.2-900 et seq.), and, for that purpose, creating a custodianship or custodial trust;
c. If the trustee does not know of a conservator, guardian, custodian, or custodial trustee, paying it to an adult relative or other person having legal or physical care or custody of the beneficiary, to be expended on the beneficiary's behalf; or
d. Managing it as a separate fund on the beneficiary's behalf, subject to the beneficiary's continuing right to withdraw the distribution;
22. On distribution of trust property or the division or termination of a trust, make distributions in divided or undivided interests, allocate particular assets in proportionate or disproportionate shares, value the trust property for those purposes, and adjust for resulting differences in valuation;
23. Resolve a dispute concerning the interpretation of the trust or its administration by mediation, arbitration, or other procedure for alternative dispute resolution;
24. Prosecute or defend an action, claim, or judicial proceeding in any jurisdiction to protect trust property and the trustee in the performance of the trustee's duties;
25. Sign and deliver contracts and other instruments that are useful to achieve or facilitate the exercise of the trustee's powers; and
26. On termination of the trust, exercise the powers appropriate to wind up the administration of the trust and distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to it.
B. Any reference in a trust instrument incorporating the powers authorized under § 64.2-105 shall not be construed to limit powers a trustee may exercise pursuant to this section, unless the settlor expressly states in the trust instrument that such reference should be so construed.

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UTC

§ 817. Distribution upon termination

(a) Upon termination or partial termination of a trust, the trustee may send to the beneficiaries a proposal for distribution. The right of any beneficiary to object to the proposed distribution terminates if the beneficiary does not notify the trustee of an objection within 30 days after the proposal was sent but only if the proposal informed the beneficiary of the right to object and of the time allowed for objection.
(b) Upon the occurrence of an event terminating or partially terminating a trust, the trustee shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to it, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes.
(c) A release by a beneficiary of a trustee from liability for breach of trust is invalid to the extent:
(1) it was induced by improper conduct of the trustee; or
(2) the beneficiary, at the time of the release, did not know of the beneficiary’s rights or of the material facts relating to the breach.

DC

§ 19-1308.17. Distribution upon termination.

(a) Upon termination or partial termination of a trust, the trustee may send to the beneficiaries a proposal for distribution. The right of any beneficiary to object to the proposed distribution terminates if the beneficiary does not notify the trustee of an objection within 30 days after the proposal was sent but only if the proposal informed the beneficiary of the right to object and of the time allowed for objection.
(b) Upon the occurrence of an event terminating or partially terminating a trust, the trustee shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to it, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes, and to secure a right of reimbursement if the reserve is inadequate.
(c) A release by a beneficiary of a trustee from liability for breach of trust is invalid to the extent:
(1) It was induced by improper conduct of the trustee; or
(2) The beneficiary, at the time of the release, did not know of the beneficiary's rights or of the material facts relating to the breach.

MD

§ 14.5-817. Distribution on termination or partial termination of trust.

(a) (1) On termination or partial termination of a trust, the trustee may send to the beneficiaries a proposal for distribution.
(2) The right of a beneficiary to object to a proposed distribution under paragraph (1) of this subsection terminates if the beneficiary does not notify the trustee of an objection within 60 [SUBSTITUTED FOR "30") days after the proposal was sent but only if the proposal informed the beneficiary of the right to object and of the time allowed for objection.
(b) On the occurrence of an event terminating or partially terminating a trust, the trustee shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to the trust property, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes.
[MISSING UTC(c)(1),(2); NOW FOUND AT MTA § 14.5-907]

VA

§ 64.2-779. Distribution upon termination

A. Upon termination or partial termination of a trust, the trustee may send to the beneficiaries a proposal for distribution. The right of any beneficiary to object to the proposed distribution terminates if the beneficiary does not notify the trustee of an objection within 30 days after the proposal was sent but only if the proposal informed the beneficiary of the right to object and of the time allowed for objection.
B. Upon the occurrence of an event terminating or partially terminating a trust, the trustee shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to it, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes.
C. A release by a beneficiary of a trustee from liability for breach of trust is invalid to the extent:
1. It was induced by improper conduct of the trustee; or
2. The beneficiary, at the time of the release, did not know of the beneficiary's rights or of the material facts relating to the breach.

VA §64.2-778.1 is a decanting provision which permits a trustee – without court authorization – to appoint trust property to a second trust via the trustee’s discretionary distribution power, provided that the trustee is not an “interested trustee,” nine conditions under VA §64.2-778.1(C) are satisfied, and notice of the trustee’s exercise of the power is provided in accordance with VA §64.2-778.1(G).

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UTC

No equivalent.

DC

No equivalent.

MD

No equivalent.

VA

§ 64.2-778.1. Trustee's special power to appoint to a second trust

A

A. As used in this section unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Current beneficiary" means a person who is a permissible distributee of trust income or principal.
"Interested distributee" means a current beneficiary who has the power to remove the existing trustee of the original trust and designate as successor trustee a person who may be a "related or subordinate party," as that term is defined in 26 U.S.C. § 672(c), with respect to such current beneficiary.
"Interested trustee" means (i) an individual trustee who is a current beneficiary of the original trust or to whom the net income or principal of the original trust would be distributed if the original trust were terminated, (ii) any trustee of the original trust who may be removed and replaced by an interested distributee, or (iii) an individual trustee whose legal obligation to support a beneficiary may be satisfied by distributions of income and principal of the original trust.
"Original trust" means a trust created by an irrevocable inter vivos or testamentary trust instrument pursuant to the terms of which a trustee has a discretionary power to distribute principal or income of the trust to or for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries.
"Second trust" means a trust created by an irrevocable inter vivos or testamentary trust instrument, the current beneficiaries of which are one or more of the current beneficiaries of the original trust.
B. The trustee of an original trust may, without authorization by the court, exercise the discretionary power to distribute principal or income to or for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries of the original trust by appointing all or part of the principal or income of the original trust subject to the power in favor of a trustee of a second trust. The trustee of the original trust may exercise this power whether or not there is a current need to distribute principal or income under any standard provided in the terms of the original trust. The trustee's power to appoint trust principal or income in further trust under this section includes the power to create the second trust.
C. The terms of the second trust shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. The beneficiaries of the second trust shall include only beneficiaries of the original trust;
2. If the power to distribute principal or income in the original trust is subject to an ascertainable standard, the power to distribute income or principal in the second trust shall be exercisable in favor of the same current beneficiaries as in the original trust and, unless the court approves otherwise, shall be subject to the same ascertainable standard as in the original trust;
3. A beneficiary who has only a future beneficial interest, vested or contingent, in the original trust shall not have the future beneficial interest accelerated to a present interest in the second trust;
4. The terms of the second trust shall not reduce any fixed income, annuity, or unitrust interest of a beneficiary in the original trust;
5. If any contribution to the original trust qualified for a marital or charitable deduction for federal income, gift, or estate tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code, then the second trust shall not contain any provision that, if included in the original trust, would have prevented the original trust from qualifying for the deduction or that would have reduced the amount of the deduction;
6. If contributions to the original trust have been excluded from the gift tax by the application of 26 U.S.C. § 2503(b) and (c), the second trust shall provide that the beneficiary's remainder interest in the contributions shall vest and become distributable no later than the date upon which the interest would have vested and become distributable under the terms of the original trust;
7. If any beneficiary of the original trust has a power of withdrawal over trust property, then either:
a. The terms of the second trust shall provide a power of withdrawal in the second trust identical to the power of withdrawal in the original trust; or
b. Sufficient trust property shall remain in the original trust to satisfy the outstanding power of withdrawal;
8. The terms of the second trust may confer a power of appointment upon a current beneficiary of the original trust. The permissible appointees of the power of appointment conferred upon a beneficiary may include persons who are not beneficiaries of the original trust or the second trust. The power of appointment conferred upon a beneficiary shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 55-12.1 through 55-13.3, covering the time at which the permissible period of the rule against perpetuities begins and the law that determines the permissible period of the rule against perpetuities of the original trust; and
9. Notwithstanding subdivisions 1 through 8, the power under this section may be exercised to appoint a second trust that is a special needs trust, subject to the other provisions of this section.
D. A trustee who is an interested trustee may not exercise the power to appoint under this section. The remaining cotrustee or a majority of the remaining cotrustees who are not interested trustees may exercise the power under this section. If all the trustees are interested trustees, or at the request of any of the trustees, the court may appoint a special fiduciary with authority to exercise the power under this section.
E. The exercise of the power under this section shall be:
1. Subject to the fiduciary duties of the trustee of the original trust;
2. Treated for all purposes as the exercise of a power of appointment in a fiduciary capacity that is not a power exercisable in favor of the trustee individually, the trustee's creditors, the trustee's estate, or the creditors of the trustee's estate;
3. Subject to the provisions of §§ 55-12.1 through 55-13.3, covering the time at which the permissible period of the rule against perpetuities begins and the law that determines the permissible period of the rule against perpetuities of the original trust; and
4. Permitted regardless of whether the original trust has a spendthrift provision or prohibits amendment or revocation of the original trust.
F. The exercise of the power under this section shall be made by a written instrument, signed and acknowledged by the trustee, setting forth the manner of the exercise of the power, the terms of the second trust, and the effective date of the exercise of the power. The instrument shall be filed with the records of the original trust.
G. At least 60 days prior to the effective date of the exercise of the power under this section, the trustee of the original trust shall give written notice of the trustee's intent to exercise the power, including a copy of the written instrument made pursuant to subsection F, to (i) the grantor of the original trust, if living; (ii) without regard to the exercise of any power of appointment, the qualified beneficiaries of the original trust as determined under §§ 64.2-701 and 64.2-708, other than the Attorney General, and (iii) all persons acting as advisor or protector of the original trust. The representation provisions of §§ 64.2-714, 64.2-716, 64.2-717, and 64.2-718 shall apply to the notice under this subsection. If all qualified beneficiaries of the original trust waive the notice required by this subsection in a signed written instrument delivered to the trustee of the original trust, the trustee may exercise the power under this section without providing the notice required by this subsection. The receipt of notice under this subsection shall not abrogate any right or remedy of any beneficiary against the trustee under the laws of the Commonwealth other than this section.
H. Nothing in this section shall be construed to (i) create or imply a duty of the trustee to exercise the power granted in this section, and no inference of impropriety shall be made as a result of a trustee not exercising the power granted in this section, or (ii) limit the right of any trustee who has a power to appoint property in further trust under the terms of the original trust or by law.
I. A trustee or beneficiary may commence a proceeding to approve or disapprove a proposed exercise of the power under this section.
J. If accounts for the original trust are filed with the commissioner of accounts, the accounts for the second trust shall be filed with the commissioner of accounts unless the court orders otherwise.
K. Subject to the provisions of the governing instrument, this section shall be construed as pertaining to the administration of a trust and shall be available to any trust that is administered under the law of the Commonwealth, regardless of the date the trust was created, unless the governing instrument expressly prohibits the exercise of the power under this section. A provision in the governing instrument that "The provisions of § 64.2-778.1, Code of Virginia, as amended, or any corresponding provision of future law, shall not be used in the administration of this trust" or "My trustee shall not have the power to appoint the income or principal of this trust to another trust" or similar words reflecting such intent shall be sufficient to preclude the application of this section.

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