California 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB909 Compare Versions

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1-Senate Bill No. 909 CHAPTER 407 An act to add Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) to Division 9 of the Probate Code, relating to trusts. [ Approved by Governor September 14, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 909, Hertzberg. Uniform Trust Decanting Act.Existing law regulates trust administration and generally requires a trustee to administer the trust according to the trust instrument. Under existing law, a trustee may exercise specified powers without court authorization, including the power to acquire or dispose of property. Existing law authorizes the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust to compel modification of the trust upon petition to the court, if all beneficiaries of the trust consent.This bill would enact the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, under which a fiduciary of an irrevocable trust may distribute the property of a first trust to one or more 2nd trusts or modify the terms of the first trust without the consent of the beneficiaries or approval of the court, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require specified persons, including qualified beneficiaries and, if the trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General, to be provided notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power, and would authorize the court, on application by specified persons, to, among other things, approve an exercise of the decanting power. Among other provisions, the bill would require a fiduciary exercising the decanting power to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties and in accordance with the purposes of the first trust. The bill would also specify that the decanting power does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) is added to Division 9 of the Probate Code, to read:PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act. 19502. For purposes of this part:(a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.(b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.(c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:(1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.(3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.(d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.(2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.(3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.(e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.(2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(f) Charitable organization means either of the following:(1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.(g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.(h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.(i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.(j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.(k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.(n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.(o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.(p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.(q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.(r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.(s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.(1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:(A) The occurrence of the specified event.(B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.(C) The passage of the specified time.(2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.(t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:(1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.(2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.(3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.(u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.(v) Second trust means either of the following:(1) A first trust after modification under this part.(2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.(w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.(x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.(y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.(z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.(aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.(b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.(c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.(d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.(e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.(b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:(a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.(b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:(1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.(2) Construction of terms of the trust.(3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.(b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:(1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.(7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.(d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.(g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:(1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.(2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.(3) A copy of the first trust instrument.(4) A copy of all second trust instruments.(5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.(h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.(i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.(2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.(j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.(d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:(A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.(5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.(b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:(1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.(2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.19511. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.(2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.(3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.(4) Vested interest means any of the following:(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.(b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.(d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.(e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.19513. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.(2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.(3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.(b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.(2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).(2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.19514. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.(2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:(1) Diminish the charitable interest.(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.(f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.(d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.(e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:(A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.(B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.(b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.(c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.(d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:(a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.(b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.(c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.19519. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).(2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.(3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).(8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:(A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.(9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.(B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:(i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.(ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:(1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.19523. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.(2) Protector means either of the following: (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.(B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.(b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2. 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
1+Enrolled August 23, 2018 Passed IN Senate August 21, 2018 Passed IN Assembly August 16, 2018 Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 909Introduced by Senator HertzbergJanuary 18, 2018 An act to add Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) to Division 9 of the Probate Code, relating to trusts. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 909, Hertzberg. Uniform Trust Decanting Act.Existing law regulates trust administration and generally requires a trustee to administer the trust according to the trust instrument. Under existing law, a trustee may exercise specified powers without court authorization, including the power to acquire or dispose of property. Existing law authorizes the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust to compel modification of the trust upon petition to the court, if all beneficiaries of the trust consent.This bill would enact the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, under which a fiduciary of an irrevocable trust may distribute the property of a first trust to one or more 2nd trusts or modify the terms of the first trust without the consent of the beneficiaries or approval of the court, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require specified persons, including qualified beneficiaries and, if the trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General, to be provided notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power, and would authorize the court, on application by specified persons, to, among other things, approve an exercise of the decanting power. Among other provisions, the bill would require a fiduciary exercising the decanting power to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties and in accordance with the purposes of the first trust. The bill would also specify that the decanting power does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) is added to Division 9 of the Probate Code, to read:PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act. 19502. For purposes of this part:(a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.(b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.(c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:(1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.(3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.(d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.(2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.(3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.(e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.(2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(f) Charitable organization means either of the following:(1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.(g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.(h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.(i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.(j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.(k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.(n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.(o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.(p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.(q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.(r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.(s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.(1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:(A) The occurrence of the specified event.(B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.(C) The passage of the specified time.(2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.(t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:(1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.(2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.(3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.(u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.(v) Second trust means either of the following:(1) A first trust after modification under this part.(2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.(w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.(x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.(y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.(z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.(aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.(b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.(c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.(d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.(e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.(b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:(a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.(b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:(1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.(2) Construction of terms of the trust.(3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.(b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:(1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.(7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.(d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.(g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:(1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.(2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.(3) A copy of the first trust instrument.(4) A copy of all second trust instruments.(5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.(h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.(i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.(2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.(j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.(d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:(A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.(5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.(b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:(1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.(2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.19511. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.(2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.(3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.(4) Vested interest means any of the following:(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.(b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.(d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.(e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.19513. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.(2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.(3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.(b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.(2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).(2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.19514. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.(2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:(1) Diminish the charitable interest.(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.(f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.(d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.(e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:(A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.(B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.(b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.(c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.(d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:(a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.(b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.(c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.19519. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).(2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.(3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).(8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:(A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.(9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.(B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:(i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.(ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:(1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.19523. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.(2) Protector means either of the following: (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.(B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.(b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2. 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
22
3- Senate Bill No. 909 CHAPTER 407 An act to add Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) to Division 9 of the Probate Code, relating to trusts. [ Approved by Governor September 14, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 909, Hertzberg. Uniform Trust Decanting Act.Existing law regulates trust administration and generally requires a trustee to administer the trust according to the trust instrument. Under existing law, a trustee may exercise specified powers without court authorization, including the power to acquire or dispose of property. Existing law authorizes the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust to compel modification of the trust upon petition to the court, if all beneficiaries of the trust consent.This bill would enact the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, under which a fiduciary of an irrevocable trust may distribute the property of a first trust to one or more 2nd trusts or modify the terms of the first trust without the consent of the beneficiaries or approval of the court, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require specified persons, including qualified beneficiaries and, if the trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General, to be provided notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power, and would authorize the court, on application by specified persons, to, among other things, approve an exercise of the decanting power. Among other provisions, the bill would require a fiduciary exercising the decanting power to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties and in accordance with the purposes of the first trust. The bill would also specify that the decanting power does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
3+ Enrolled August 23, 2018 Passed IN Senate August 21, 2018 Passed IN Assembly August 16, 2018 Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 909Introduced by Senator HertzbergJanuary 18, 2018 An act to add Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) to Division 9 of the Probate Code, relating to trusts. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 909, Hertzberg. Uniform Trust Decanting Act.Existing law regulates trust administration and generally requires a trustee to administer the trust according to the trust instrument. Under existing law, a trustee may exercise specified powers without court authorization, including the power to acquire or dispose of property. Existing law authorizes the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust to compel modification of the trust upon petition to the court, if all beneficiaries of the trust consent.This bill would enact the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, under which a fiduciary of an irrevocable trust may distribute the property of a first trust to one or more 2nd trusts or modify the terms of the first trust without the consent of the beneficiaries or approval of the court, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require specified persons, including qualified beneficiaries and, if the trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General, to be provided notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power, and would authorize the court, on application by specified persons, to, among other things, approve an exercise of the decanting power. Among other provisions, the bill would require a fiduciary exercising the decanting power to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties and in accordance with the purposes of the first trust. The bill would also specify that the decanting power does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
4+
5+ Enrolled August 23, 2018 Passed IN Senate August 21, 2018 Passed IN Assembly August 16, 2018 Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2018
6+
7+Enrolled August 23, 2018
8+Passed IN Senate August 21, 2018
9+Passed IN Assembly August 16, 2018
10+Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2018
11+
12+ CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
413
514 Senate Bill No. 909
6-CHAPTER 407
15+
16+Introduced by Senator HertzbergJanuary 18, 2018
17+
18+Introduced by Senator Hertzberg
19+January 18, 2018
720
821 An act to add Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) to Division 9 of the Probate Code, relating to trusts.
9-
10- [ Approved by Governor September 14, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2018. ]
1122
1223 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1324
1425 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1526
1627 SB 909, Hertzberg. Uniform Trust Decanting Act.
1728
1829 Existing law regulates trust administration and generally requires a trustee to administer the trust according to the trust instrument. Under existing law, a trustee may exercise specified powers without court authorization, including the power to acquire or dispose of property. Existing law authorizes the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust to compel modification of the trust upon petition to the court, if all beneficiaries of the trust consent.This bill would enact the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, under which a fiduciary of an irrevocable trust may distribute the property of a first trust to one or more 2nd trusts or modify the terms of the first trust without the consent of the beneficiaries or approval of the court, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require specified persons, including qualified beneficiaries and, if the trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General, to be provided notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power, and would authorize the court, on application by specified persons, to, among other things, approve an exercise of the decanting power. Among other provisions, the bill would require a fiduciary exercising the decanting power to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties and in accordance with the purposes of the first trust. The bill would also specify that the decanting power does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.
1930
2031 Existing law regulates trust administration and generally requires a trustee to administer the trust according to the trust instrument. Under existing law, a trustee may exercise specified powers without court authorization, including the power to acquire or dispose of property. Existing law authorizes the beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust to compel modification of the trust upon petition to the court, if all beneficiaries of the trust consent.
2132
2233 This bill would enact the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, under which a fiduciary of an irrevocable trust may distribute the property of a first trust to one or more 2nd trusts or modify the terms of the first trust without the consent of the beneficiaries or approval of the court, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require specified persons, including qualified beneficiaries and, if the trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General, to be provided notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power, and would authorize the court, on application by specified persons, to, among other things, approve an exercise of the decanting power. Among other provisions, the bill would require a fiduciary exercising the decanting power to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties and in accordance with the purposes of the first trust. The bill would also specify that the decanting power does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.
2334
2435 ## Digest Key
2536
2637 ## Bill Text
2738
2839 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) is added to Division 9 of the Probate Code, to read:PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act. 19502. For purposes of this part:(a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.(b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.(c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:(1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.(3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.(d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.(2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.(3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.(e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.(2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(f) Charitable organization means either of the following:(1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.(g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.(h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.(i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.(j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.(k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.(n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.(o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.(p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.(q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.(r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.(s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.(1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:(A) The occurrence of the specified event.(B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.(C) The passage of the specified time.(2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.(t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:(1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.(2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.(3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.(u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.(v) Second trust means either of the following:(1) A first trust after modification under this part.(2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.(w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.(x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.(y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.(z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.(aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.(b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.(c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.(d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.(e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.(b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:(a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.(b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:(1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.(2) Construction of terms of the trust.(3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.(b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:(1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.(7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.(d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.(g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:(1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.(2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.(3) A copy of the first trust instrument.(4) A copy of all second trust instruments.(5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.(h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.(i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.(2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.(j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.(d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:(A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.(5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.(b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:(1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.(2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.19511. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.(2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.(3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.(4) Vested interest means any of the following:(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.(b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.(d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.(e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.19513. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.(2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.(3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.(b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.(2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).(2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.19514. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.(2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:(1) Diminish the charitable interest.(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.(f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.(d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.(e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:(A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.(B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.(b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.(c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.(d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:(a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.(b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.(c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.19519. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).(2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.(3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).(8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:(A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.(9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.(B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:(i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.(ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:(1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.19523. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.(2) Protector means either of the following: (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.(B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.(b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2. 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
2940
3041 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
3142
3243 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
3344
3445 SECTION 1. Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) is added to Division 9 of the Probate Code, to read:PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act. 19502. For purposes of this part:(a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.(b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.(c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:(1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.(3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.(d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.(2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.(3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.(e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.(2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(f) Charitable organization means either of the following:(1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.(g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.(h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.(i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.(j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.(k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.(n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.(o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.(p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.(q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.(r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.(s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.(1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:(A) The occurrence of the specified event.(B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.(C) The passage of the specified time.(2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.(t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:(1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.(2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.(3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.(u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.(v) Second trust means either of the following:(1) A first trust after modification under this part.(2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.(w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.(x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.(y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.(z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.(aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.(b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.(c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.(d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.(e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.(b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:(a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.(b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:(1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.(2) Construction of terms of the trust.(3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.(b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:(1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.(7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.(d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.(g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:(1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.(2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.(3) A copy of the first trust instrument.(4) A copy of all second trust instruments.(5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.(h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.(i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.(2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.(j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.(d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:(A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.(5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.(b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:(1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.(2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.19511. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.(2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.(3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.(4) Vested interest means any of the following:(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.(b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.(d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.(e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.19513. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.(2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.(3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.(b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.(2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).(2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.19514. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.(2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:(1) Diminish the charitable interest.(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.(f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.(d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.(e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:(A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.(B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.(b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.(c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.(d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:(a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.(b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.(c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.19519. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).(2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.(3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).(8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:(A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.(9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.(B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:(i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.(ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:(1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.19523. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.(2) Protector means either of the following: (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.(B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.(b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2. 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
3546
3647 SECTION 1. Part 9 (commencing with Section 19501) is added to Division 9 of the Probate Code, to read:
3748
3849 ### SECTION 1.
3950
4051 PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act. 19502. For purposes of this part:(a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.(b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.(c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:(1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.(3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.(d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.(2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.(3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.(e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.(2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(f) Charitable organization means either of the following:(1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.(g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.(h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.(i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.(j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.(k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.(n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.(o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.(p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.(q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.(r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.(s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.(1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:(A) The occurrence of the specified event.(B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.(C) The passage of the specified time.(2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.(t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:(1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.(2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.(3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.(u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.(v) Second trust means either of the following:(1) A first trust after modification under this part.(2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.(w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.(x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.(y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.(z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.(aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.(b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.(c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.(d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.(e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.(b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:(a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.(b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:(1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.(2) Construction of terms of the trust.(3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.(b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:(1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.(7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.(d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.(g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:(1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.(2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.(3) A copy of the first trust instrument.(4) A copy of all second trust instruments.(5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.(h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.(i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.(2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.(j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.(d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:(A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.(5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.(b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:(1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.(2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.19511. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.(2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.(3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.(4) Vested interest means any of the following:(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.(b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.(d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.(e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.19513. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.(2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.(3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.(b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.(2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).(2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.19514. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.(2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:(1) Diminish the charitable interest.(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.(f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.(d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.(e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:(A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.(B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.(b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.(c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.(d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:(a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.(b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.(c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.19519. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).(2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.(3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).(8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:(A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.(9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.(B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:(i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.(ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:(1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.19523. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.(2) Protector means either of the following: (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.(B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.(b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2. 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
4152
4253 PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act. 19502. For purposes of this part:(a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.(b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.(c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:(1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.(3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.(d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.(2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.(3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.(e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.(2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(f) Charitable organization means either of the following:(1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.(g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.(h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.(i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.(j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.(k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.(n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.(o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.(p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.(q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.(r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.(s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.(1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:(A) The occurrence of the specified event.(B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.(C) The passage of the specified time.(2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.(t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:(1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.(2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.(3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.(u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.(v) Second trust means either of the following:(1) A first trust after modification under this part.(2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.(w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.(x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.(y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.(z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.(aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.(b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.(c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.(d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.(e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.(b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:(a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.(b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:(1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.(2) Construction of terms of the trust.(3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.(b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:(1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.(7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.(d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.(g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:(1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.(2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.(3) A copy of the first trust instrument.(4) A copy of all second trust instruments.(5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.(h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.(i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.(2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.(j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.(d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:(A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.(5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.(b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:(1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.(2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.19511. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.(2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.(3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.(4) Vested interest means any of the following:(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.(b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.(d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.(e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.19513. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.(2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.(3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.(b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.(2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).(2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.19514. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.(2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:(1) Diminish the charitable interest.(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.(f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.(d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.(e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:(A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.(B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.(b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.(c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.(d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:(a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.(b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.(c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.19519. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).(2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.(3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).(8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:(A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.(9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.(B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:(i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.(ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:(1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.19523. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.(2) Protector means either of the following: (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.(B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.(b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2. 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
4354
4455 PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act
4556
4657 PART 9. Uniform Trust Decanting Act
4758
4859 19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act.
4960
5061
5162
5263 19501. This part may be cited as the Uniform Trust Decanting Act.
5364
5465 19502. For purposes of this part:(a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.(b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.(c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:(1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.(3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.(d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.(2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.(3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.(e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:(1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.(2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.(f) Charitable organization means either of the following:(1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.(2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.(g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.(h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.(i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.(j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.(k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.(n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.(o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.(p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.(q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.(r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.(s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.(1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:(A) The occurrence of the specified event.(B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.(C) The passage of the specified time.(2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.(t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:(1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.(2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.(3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.(u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.(v) Second trust means either of the following:(1) A first trust after modification under this part.(2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.(w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.(x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.(y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.(z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.(aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.
5566
5667
5768
5869 19502. For purposes of this part:
5970
6071 (a) Appointive property means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.
6172
6273 (b) Ascertainable standard means a standard relating to an individuals health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of Section 2041(b)(1)(A) or Section 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 2041(b)(1)(A), 2514(c)(1)) and any applicable regulations.
6374
6475 (c) Authorized fiduciary means any of the following:
6576
6677 (1) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.
6778
6879 (2) A special fiduciary appointed under Section 19509.
6980
7081 (3) A special-needs fiduciary under Section 19513.
7182
7283 (d) Beneficiary means a person that meets one of the following conditions:
7384
7485 (1) Has a present or future, vested or contingent, beneficial interest in a trust.
7586
7687 (2) Holds a power of appointment over trust property.
7788
7889 (3) Is an identified charitable organization that will or may receive distributions under the terms of the trust.
7990
8091 (e) Charitable interest means an interest in a trust that meets one of the following conditions:
8192
8293 (1) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary.
8394
8495 (2) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.
8596
8697 (3) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.
8798
8899 (f) Charitable organization means either of the following:
89100
90101 (1) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.
91102
92103 (2) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.
93104
94105 (g) Charitable purpose means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.
95106
96107 (h) Court means the court in this state having jurisdiction in matters relating to trusts.
97108
98109 (i) Current beneficiary means a beneficiary that on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds any other power of appointment.
99110
100111 (j) Decanting power or the decanting power means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this part to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.
101112
102113 (k) Expanded distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.
103114
104115 (l) First trust means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.
105116
106117 (m) First trust instrument means the trust instrument for a first trust.
107118
108119 (n) General power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholders estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholders estate.
109120
110121 (o) Jurisdiction, with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.
111122
112123 (p) Person means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other legal entity.
113124
114125 (q) Power of appointment means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in, or another power of appointment over, the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.
115126
116127 (r) Powerholder means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.
117128
118129 (s) Presently exercisable power of appointment means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time.
119130
120131 (1) The term includes a power of appointment exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event, the satisfaction of an ascertainable standard, or the passage of a specified time only after one of the following, respectively:
121132
122133 (A) The occurrence of the specified event.
123134
124135 (B) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard.
125136
126137 (C) The passage of the specified time.
127138
128139 (2) The term does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholders death.
129140
130141 (t) Qualified beneficiary means a beneficiary that, on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined, satisfies one of the following conditions:
131142
132143 (1) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal.
133144
134145 (2) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (1) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate.
135146
136147 (3) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.
137148
138149 (u) Reasonably definite standard means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of Section 674(b)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 674(b)(5)(A)) and any applicable regulations.
139150
140151 (v) Second trust means either of the following:
141152
142153 (1) A first trust after modification under this part.
143154
144155 (2) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this part.
145156
146157 (w) Second trust instrument means the trust instrument for a second trust.
147158
148159 (x) Settlor, except as otherwise provided in Section 19525, means a person, including a testator, that creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to the persons contribution except to the extent another person has power to revoke or withdraw that portion.
149160
150161 (y) State means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
151162
152163 (z) Terms of the trust means the manifestation of the settlors intent regarding a trusts provisions as expressed in the trust instrument, as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding, or as may be established by court order or nonjudicial settlement agreement.
153164
154165 (aa) Trust instrument means a trust executed by the settlor to create a trust or by any person to create a second trust that contains some or all of the terms of the trust, including any amendments.
155166
156167 19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.(b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.(c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.(d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.(e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.
157168
158169
159170
160171 19503. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this part applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the settlor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.
161172
162173 (b) This part does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.
163174
164175 (c) Subject to Section 19515, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.
165176
166177 (d) This part does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this part, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.
167178
168179 (e) This part does not affect the ability of a settlor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.
169180
170181 19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.(b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.
171182
172183
173184
174185 19504. (a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.
175186
176187 (b) This part does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this part.
177188
178189 (c) Except as otherwise provided in a first trust instrument, for purposes of this part, the terms of the first trust are deemed to include the decanting power.
179190
180191 19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:(a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.(b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:(1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.(2) Construction of terms of the trust.(3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.
181192
182193
183194
184195 19505. This part applies to a trust created before, on, or after January 1, 2019, that satisfies either of the following conditions:
185196
186197 (a) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state.
187198
188199 (b) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of any of the following:
189200
190201 (1) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state.
191202
192203 (2) Construction of terms of the trust.
193204
194205 (3) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.
195206
196207 19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.(b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.(c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:(1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.(7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.(d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.(f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.(g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:(1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.(2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.(3) A copy of the first trust instrument.(4) A copy of all second trust instruments.(5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.(h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.(i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.(2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.(j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.
197208
198209
199210
200211 19507. (a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subdivision (c) and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.
201212
202213 (b) An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval in compliance with this part.
203214
204215 (c) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h), an authorized fiduciary shall give notice of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to all of the following:
205216
206217 (1) Each settlor of the first trust, if living or then in existence.
207218
208219 (2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust.
209220
210221 (3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part or all of the first trust.
211222
212223 (4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary.
213224
214225 (5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust.
215226
216227 (6) Each fiduciary of the second trust.
217228
218229 (7) The Attorney General, if subdivision (b) of Section 19514 applies.
219230
220231 (d) Unless the trust instrument provides otherwise, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to the guardian ad litem for a qualified beneficiary who is a minor and has no representative or who is an unascertained or unborn person. If a guardian ad litem has not been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of one. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.
221232
222233 (e) If an authorized fiduciary knows, or has reason to know, that a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) is substantially unable to manage that persons own financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence, the authorized fiduciary shall give notice under subdivision (c) to that person and to the individual appointed to act on that persons behalf, including, but not limited to, an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney. If no such individual has been appointed at the time of the notice, the authorized fiduciary shall seek the appointment of such an individual. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem, for purposes of this section, in instances where the only matter before the court is that appointment.
223234
224235 (f) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subdivision (c) to a person who is known to the fiduciary but cannot be located by the fiduciary after reasonable diligence.
225236
226237 (g) A notice under subdivision (c) shall include all of the following:
227238
228239 (1) A description of the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power, which shall include a statement as to the authorized fiduciarys reason for the proposed decanting and an explanation as to the differences between the first trust and the second trust or trusts.
229240
230241 (2) The proposed effective date for exercise of the power.
231242
232243 (3) A copy of the first trust instrument.
233244
234245 (4) A copy of all second trust instruments.
235246
236247 (5) A warning, set out in a separate paragraph in not less than 10-point bold type, or a reasonable equivalent thereof, that states the following:
237248
238249 If you do not bring a court action to contest the proposed trust decanting (the proposed changes to the trust) within 59 days of this notice, you will lose your right to contest the decanting.
239250
240251 (h) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subdivision (a) if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed waiver.
241252
242253 (i) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under Section 19509 that asserts either of the following:
243254
244255 (1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this part or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty.
245256
246257 (2) Section 19522 applies to the exercise of the decanting power.
247258
248259 (j) The notice required by this section shall be served by mail to the last known address, pursuant to Section 1215, or by personal delivery.
249260
250261 19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.(d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.
251262
252263
253264
254265 19508. (a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.
255266
256267 (b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.
257268
258269 (c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under this code or a first trust instrument may file an application under Section 19509 on behalf of the person represented.
259270
260271 (d) A settlor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this part.
261272
262273 19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:(A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.(5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.(b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.(c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:(1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.(2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.
263274
264275
265276
266277 19509. (a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under subdivision (c) of Section 19507, a beneficiary, or, with respect to a charitable interest, the Attorney General or other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may do any of the following:
267278
268279 (1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this part and is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary.
269280
270281 (2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this part and to exercise the decanting power.
271282
272283 (3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power.
273284
274285 (4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because of either of the following:
275286
276287 (A) After applying Section 19522, the proposed or attempted exercise does not or did not comply with this part.
277288
278289 (B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciarys discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty.
279290
280291 (5) Determine the extent to which Section 19522 applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power.
281292
282293 (6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of Section 19522 to a prior exercise of the decanting power.
283294
284295 (7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this part.
285296
286297 (b) If an application is made under subdivision (a), the burden is on the authorized fiduciary to establish that notice was given as required by Section 19507 and that the authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.
287298
288299 (c) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve either or both of the following:
289300
290301 (1) An increase in the fiduciarys compensation under Section 19516.
291302
292303 (2) A modification under Section 19518 of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.
293304
294305 19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.
295306
296307
297308
298309 19510. An exercise of the decanting power shall be made in a writing signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed writing shall, directly or by reference to the notice required by Section 19507, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.
299310
300311 19511. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.(2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.(3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.(4) Vested interest means any of the following:(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.(b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.(d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.(e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.
301312
302313
303314
304315 19511. (a) For purposes of this section:
305316
306317 (1) Noncontingent right means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiarys estate.
307318
308319 (2) Presumptive remainder beneficiary means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.
309320
310321 (3) Successor beneficiary means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiarys qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.
311322
312323 (4) Vested interest means any of the following:
313324
314325 (A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power.
315326
316327 (B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.
317328
318329 (C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property.
319330
320331 (D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment.
321332
322333 (E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trusts termination that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.
323334
324335 (b) Subject to subdivision (c) and Section 19514, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.
325336
326337 (c) Subject to Section 19513, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not do any of the following:
327338
328339 (1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).
329340
330341 (2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d).
331342
332343 (3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.
333344
334345 (d) Subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and Section 19514, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may do each of the following:
335346
336347 (1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust.
337348
338349 (2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment.
339350
340351 (3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary.
341352
342353 (4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.
343354
344355 (e) A power of appointment described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (d) may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than, or different from, the beneficiaries of the first trust.
345356
346357 (f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.
347358
348359 19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.(c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.
349360
350361
351362
352363 19512. (a) For purposes of this section, limited distributive discretion means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.
353364
354365 (b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.
355366
356367 (c) Under this section and subject to Section 19514, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust. For purposes of this subdivision, substantially similar means that there is no material change in a beneficiarys beneficial interests, except as provided in subdivision (d).
357368
358369 (d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if it satisfies any of the following conditions:
359370
360371 (1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary.
361372
362373 (2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code.
363374
364375 (3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.
365376
366377 (e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.
367378
368379 19513. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.(2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.(3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.(4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.(b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.(2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).(2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.
369380
370381
371382
372383 19513. (a) For purposes of this section:
373384
374385 (1) Beneficiary with a disability means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated legally incompetent.
375386
376387 (2) Governmental benefits means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.
377388
378389 (3) Special needs fiduciary means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability, any of the following:
379390
380391 (A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.
381392
382393 (B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraph (A), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.
383394
384395 (C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under subparagraphs (A) and (B), a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a settlor, that is required to distribute part or all of the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.
385396
386397 (4) Special needs trust means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.
387398
388399 (b) A special needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under Section 19511 over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
389400
390401 (1) A second trust is a special needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability.
391402
392403 (2) The special needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.
393404
394405 (c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, all of the following rules apply:
395406
396407 (1) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may fulfill either of the following:
397408
398409 (A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under Section 1396p(d)(4)(C) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C)).
399410
400411 (B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under Section 1396p(d)(4)(A) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)).
401412
402413 (2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 19511 does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.
403414
404415 (3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiarys beneficial interests in the first trust.
405416
406417 19514. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.(2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:(1) Diminish the charitable interest.(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.(f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.
407418
408419
409420
410421 19514. (a) For purposes of this section:
411422
412423 (1) Determinable charitable interest means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and that is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.
413424
414425 (2) Unconditional means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.
415426
416427 (b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.
417428
418429 (c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not do any of the following:
419430
420431 (1) Diminish the charitable interest.
421432
422433 (2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest.
423434
424435 (3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first trust instrument.
425436
426437 (4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.
427438
428439 (d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subdivision (c).
429440
430441 (e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be administered under the law of this state unless any of the following occur:
431442
432443 (1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under Section 19507, fails to object in a signed writing delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period.
433444
434445 (2) The Attorney General consents in a signed writing to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction.
435446
436447 (3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.
437448
438449 (f) This part does not limit the powers and duties of the Attorney General under law of this state other than this part.
439450
440451 19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:(1) The decanting power.(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.(d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.(e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.
441452
442453
443454
444455 19515. (a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of either of the following:
445456
446457 (1) The decanting power.
447458
448459 (2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.
449460
450461 (b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of either of the following:
451462
452463 (1) The decanting power.
453464
454465 (2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part or all of the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.
455466
456467 (c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiarys interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.
457468
458469 (d) Subject to subdivisions (a) and (b), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this part even if the first trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first trust instrument or to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to another trust.
459470
460471 (e) If a first trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subdivision (a) or an express restriction described in subdivision (b), the authorized fiduciary shall include that provision or restriction in the second trust instrument.
461472
462473 19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.(2) The increase is approved by the court.(c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:(A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.(B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.
463474
464475
465476
466477 19516. (a) If a first trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the specified compensation unless either of the following occurs:
467478
468479 (1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.
469480
470481 (2) The increase is approved by the court.
471482
472483 (b) If a first trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciarys compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciarys compensation above the compensation permitted by this code unless either of the following occurs:
473484
474485 (1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed writing.
475486
476487 (2) The increase is approved by the court.
477488
478489 (c) (1) A change in an authorized fiduciarys compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciarys compensation for purposes of subdivisions (a) and (b).
479490
480491 (2) For purposes of this subdivision, an incidental change to an authorized fiduciarys compensation includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the compensation of the authorized fiduciary for either of the following reasons:
481492
482493 (A) The second trust lasts longer than the first trust.
483494
484495 (B) The second trust has a greater value than the first trust.
485496
486497 19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.(b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.(c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.(d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.
487498
488499
489500
490501 19517. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first trust instrument.
491502
492503 (b) A second trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.
493504
494505 (c) A second trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.
495506
496507 (d) Subject to subdivision (c), a second trust instrument may reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries as permitted by the law of this state other than this part.
497508
498509 19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:(a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.(b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.(c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.
499510
500511
501512
502513 19518. An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless any of the following occurs:
503514
504515 (a) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed writing and the modification applies only to the person.
505516
506517 (b) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed writing and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.
507518
508519 (c) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.
509520
510521 19519. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).(2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.(3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).(8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:(A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.(9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.(B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:(i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.(ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.
511522
512523
513524
514525 19519. (a) For purposes of this section:
515526
516527 (1) Grantor trust means a trust as to which a settlor of a first trust is considered the owner under Sections 671 to 677, inclusive, or Section 679 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Secs. 671 to 677, 679).
517528
518529 (2) Nongrantor trust means a trust that is not a grantor trust.
519530
520531 (3) Qualified benefits property means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations.
521532
522533 (b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to all of the following limitations:
523534
524535 (1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.
525536
526537 (2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second trust instrument shall not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.
527538
528539 (3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in Section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(b)) by application of Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under Section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2503(c)).
529540
530541 (4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation, as defined in Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361) and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of Section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361), an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S-corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under Section 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(c)(2)). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S-corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this part other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of Section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 1361(d)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.
531542
532543 (5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this part other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)), the second trust instrument shall not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under Section 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 2642(c)).
533544
534545 (6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 401(a)(9)) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is deemed to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and Section 19522 applies to the separate share.
535546
536547 (7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under Section 672(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 672(f)(2)(A)).
537548
538549 (8) In this paragraph, tax benefit means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to paragraph (9), a second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if both of the following apply:
539550
540551 (A) The first trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit.
541552
542553 (B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or, but for provisions of this part other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.
543554
544555 (9) (A) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7), the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust.
545556
546557 (B) Subject to paragraph (4), and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (10), the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.
547558
548559 (10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a settlor objects in a signed writing delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and either of the following conditions is satisfied:
549560
550561 (A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the settlor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the settlor or other person.
551562
552563 (B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the settlor, unless either of the following apply:
553564
554565 (i) The settlor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust.
555566
556567 (ii) The first trust instrument contains a provision granting the settlor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second trust instrument contains the same provision.
557568
558569 19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.
559570
560571
561572
562573 19520. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a second trust may have a duration that is the same as, or different from, the duration of the first trust.
563574
564575 (b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation that apply to property of the first trust.
565576
566577 19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.
567578
568579
569580
570581 19521. An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trusts discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.
571582
572583 19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:(1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.
573584
574585
575586
576587 19522. (a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this part, except that the second trust instrument in part does not comply with this part, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:
577588
578589 (1) A provision in the second trust instrument that is not permitted under this part is void to the extent necessary to comply with this part.
579590
580591 (2) A provision required by this part to be in the second trust instrument, which is not contained in the instrument, is deemed to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this part.
581592
582593 (b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subdivision (a) applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciarys duties.
583594
584595 19523. (a) For purposes of this section:(1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.(2) Protector means either of the following: (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.(B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.
585596
586597
587598
588599 19523. (a) For purposes of this section:
589600
590601 (1) Animal trust means a trust or an interest in a trust described in Section 15212.
591602
592603 (2) Protector means either of the following:
593604
594605 (A) A person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal as described in subdivision (c) of Section 15212 or, if no person is appointed in the trust for that purpose, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.
595606
596607 (B) A nonprofit charitable corporation described in subdivision (e) of Section 15212 that has requested an accounting in writing.
597608
598609 (b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this part if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed writing to the exercise of the power.
599610
600611 (c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this part of a qualified beneficiary.
601612
602613 (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust shall provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefited the animal.
603614
604615 19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.
605616
606617
607618
608619 19524. A reference in this code to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.
609620
610621 19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.(b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.
611622
612623
613624
614625 19525. (a) For purposes of the law of this state other than this part and subject to subdivision (b), a settlor of a first trust is deemed to be the settlor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.
615626
616627 (b) In determining settlor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a settlor of the first trust, a settlor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.
617628
618629 19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.
619630
620631
621632
622633 19526. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.
623634
624635 (b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.
625636
626637 (c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.
627638
628639 19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.
629640
630641
631642
632643 19527. A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.
633644
634645 19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2.
635646
636647
637648
638649 19529. Nothing in this part limits a trustees ability to petition for instructions or other approval under a trust pursuant Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 or to petition for modification of a trust pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15400) of Part 2.
639650
640651 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
641652
642653
643654
644655 19530. The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.