Chapter 130 — Uniform Trust Code

 

UNIFORM TRUST CODE

 

2023 EDITION

 

PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS; POWERS OF ATTORNEY; TRUSTS

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

 

130.001     UTC 101. Short title

 

130.005     UTC 102. Scope

 

130.010     UTC 103. Definitions

 

130.015     UTC 104. Knowledge

 

130.020     UTC 105. Default and mandatory rules

 

130.022     UTC 108. Principal place of administration

 

130.025     UTC 106. Common law of trusts; principles of equity

 

130.030     UTC 107. Governing law

 

130.035     UTC 109. Methods of giving notice; waiver of notice

 

130.040     UTC 110. Other persons treated as qualified beneficiaries

 

130.045     UTC 111. Nonjudicial settlement agreements

 

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

 

130.050     UTC 201. Role of court in administration of trust

 

130.055     UTC 202. Jurisdiction over trustee and beneficiary

 

130.060     UTC 203. Subject-matter jurisdiction

 

130.065     UTC 204. Venue

 

REPRESENTATION

 

130.100     UTC 301. Representation; basic effect

 

130.105     UTC 302. Representation by holder of testamentary power of appointment

 

130.110     UTC 303. Representation by fiduciaries and parents

 

130.115     UTC 304. Representation by person having substantially identical interest

 

130.120     UTC 305. Appointment of special representative

 

CREATION, VALIDITY, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

 

130.150     UTC 401. Methods of creating trust

 

130.155     UTC 402. Requirements for creation

 

130.160     UTC 403. Trusts created in other states, countries or jurisdictions

 

130.165     UTC 404. Trust purposes

 

130.170     UTC 405. Charitable trusts; enforcement

 

130.175     UTC 406. Creation of trust induced by fraud, duress or undue influence

 

130.180     UTC 407. Evidence of oral trust

 

130.185     UTC 408. Pet trust

 

130.190     UTC 409. Noncharitable trust without ascertainable beneficiary

 

130.193     Stewardship trust

 

130.195     UTC 410. Modification or termination of trust; proceedings for approval or disapproval

 

130.200     UTC 411. Modification or termination of irrevocable trust by consent

 

130.205     UTC 412. Modifications or termination because of unanticipated circumstances or inability to administer trust effectively

 

130.210     UTC 413. Cy pres

 

130.215     UTC 414. Modification or termination of uneconomic trust

 

130.220     UTC 415. Reformation to correct mistakes

 

130.225     UTC 416. Modification to achieve settlor’s tax objectives

 

130.230     UTC 417. Combination and division of trusts

 

130.232     Division of trust into separate shares or portions; legal effect

 

130.235     In terrorem clause

 

130.237     Abatement due to insufficiency of trust property

 

130.240     Marital deduction gifts

 

CREDITOR’S CLAIMS; SPENDTHRIFT AND DISCRETIONARY TRUSTS

 

130.300     UTC 501. Rights of beneficiary’s creditor or assignee

 

130.305     UTC 502. Spendthrift provision

 

130.310     UTC 503. Exceptions to spendthrift provisions

 

130.315     UTC 505. Creditor’s claim against settlor

 

130.320     UTC 506. Overdue distribution

 

130.325     UTC 507. Personal obligations of trustee

 

CLAIMS AGAINST TRUST BASED ON DEBTS OF SETTLOR

 

130.350     Statute of limitations

 

130.355     Commencement of proceeding

 

130.360     Limitation on presentation of claims when notice to claimants given

 

130.365     Publication of notice

 

130.370     Notice to individual claimants

 

130.375     Form of claim; evidence in support

 

130.380     Claim based on debt due or judgment

 

130.385     Claim on debts not yet due

 

130.390     Claim on secured debt that is due

 

130.395     Claim on contingent or unliquidated debt

 

130.400     Allowance and disallowance of claims

 

130.405     Creditor may obtain order for payment

 

130.410     Evidence required to allow court approval of claim disallowed by trustee

 

130.415     Waiver of statute of limitations

 

130.420     Tolling of statute of limitations on claim

 

130.425     Priority of claims

 

130.430     Applicability of time limitations to public bodies

 

130.435     Applicability of time limitations to certain claims based on liens against property and liability of settlor or trustee

 

130.440     Petition to close case

 

130.445     Dismissal for want of prosecution

 

130.450     Consolidation of proceedings

 

REVOCABLE TRUSTS

 

130.500     UTC 601. Revocable trusts generally

 

130.505     UTC 602. Revocation or amendment of revocable trust

 

130.510     UTC 603. Settlor’s powers; powers of withdrawal

 

130.515     UTC 604. Limitation on action contesting validity of revocable trust; distribution of trust property

 

RULES GOVERNING REVOCABLE TRUSTS

 

130.518     Creditor protections retained upon conveyance of property held as tenants by the entirety to revocable trust

 

130.520     “Specific distribution” defined for ORS 130.520 to 130.575

 

130.525     Applicability of ORS 130.530, 130.535 and 130.540 to 130.575

 

130.530     Effect of marriage

 

130.535     Revocation by divorce or annulment

 

130.540     Contract of sale of property not revocation

 

130.545     Encumbrance or disposition of property after trust instrument executed

 

130.550     When trust assets pass to descendants of beneficiary; class gifts

 

130.555     Children of settlors; pretermitted children

 

130.560     Failure of specific distribution

 

130.565     Effect of failure of specific distribution

 

130.570     Advancement against share of trust

 

130.575     Effect of advancement on distribution

 

OFFICE OF TRUSTEE

 

130.600     UTC 701. Acceptance or rejection of trusteeship

 

130.605     UTC 702. Trustee’s bond

 

130.610     UTC 703. Cotrustees

 

130.615     UTC 704. Vacancy in trusteeship; appointment of successor

 

130.620     UTC 705. Resignation of trustee

 

130.625     UTC 706. Removal of trustee

 

130.630     UTC 707. Delivery of property by former trustee; report

 

130.635     UTC 708. Compensation of trustee

 

130.640     UTC 709. Reimbursement of expenses

 

DUTIES AND POWERS OF TRUSTEE

 

130.650     UTC 801. Duty to administer trust

 

130.655     UTC 802. Duty of loyalty

 

130.660     UTC 803. Impartiality

 

130.665     UTC 804. Prudent administration

 

130.670     UTC 805. Costs of administration

 

130.675     UTC 806. Trustee’s skills

 

130.680     UTC 807. Delegation by trustee

 

130.685     UTC 808. Powers to direct

 

130.690     UTC 809. Control and protection of trust property

 

130.695     UTC 810. Recordkeeping and identification of trust property

 

130.700     UTC 811. Enforcement and defense of claims

 

130.705     UTC 812. Collecting trust property

 

130.710     UTC 813. Duty to inform and report

 

130.715     UTC 814. Discretionary powers; tax savings; inclusion of capital gains in income

 

130.720     UTC 815. General powers of trustee

 

130.725     UTC 816. Specific powers of trustee

 

130.730     UTC 817. When interest of beneficiary vests; distribution upon termination

 

130.733     Notice of proposed trustee action to beneficiaries; right of beneficiary to object

 

ADVISERS

 

130.735     Appointment of adviser; liability of trustee

 

UNIFORM PRUDENT INVESTOR ACT

 

130.750     Trustee’s duty to comply with prudent investor rule

 

130.755     Prudent investor rule

 

130.760     Diversification of trust investments

 

130.765     Trustee duty

 

130.770     Determination of compliance with prudent investor rule

 

130.775     Trust language authorizing investments permitted under prudent investor rule

 

LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES AND RIGHTS OF PERSONS DEALING WITH TRUSTEE

 

130.800     UTC 1001. Remedies for breach of trust

 

130.805     UTC 1002. Damages for breach of trust

 

130.810     UTC 1003. Damages in absence of breach

 

130.815     UTC 1004. Attorney fees and costs

 

130.820     UTC 1005. Limitation of action against trustee

 

130.825     UTC 1006. Reliance on trust instrument

 

130.830     UTC 1007. Event affecting administration or distribution

 

130.835     UTC 1008. Exculpation of trustee

 

130.840     UTC 1009. Beneficiary’s consent, release or ratification

 

130.845     UTC 1010. Limitation on personal liability of trustee

 

130.850     UTC 1011. Interest as general partner

 

130.855     UTC 1012. Protection of person dealing with trustee

 

130.860     UTC 1013. Certification of trust

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

130.900     Uniformity of application and construction

 

130.905     UTC 1102. Electronic records and signatures

 

130.910     UTC 1106. Application

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

 

      130.001 UTC 101. Short title. This chapter may be cited as the Oregon Uniform Trust Code. [2005 c.348 §1]

 

      130.005 UTC 102. Scope. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, this chapter applies to express trusts, whether charitable or noncharitable, and to trusts created pursuant to a statute or a judgment that requires that the trust be administered in the manner of an express trust.

      (2) This chapter does not apply to:

      (a) A trust that is part of an employee benefit arrangement or an individual retirement account.

      (b) A trust account established under a qualified tuition savings program pursuant to ORS 178.300 to 178.360.

      (c) Trust accounts maintained on behalf of clients or customers by licensed service professionals, including trust accounts maintained by attorneys pursuant to rules of professional conduct adopted under ORS 9.490 and by licensed real estate property managers or principal real estate brokers pursuant to ORS 696.241.

      (d) An endowment care fund established by a cemetery authority pursuant to ORS 97.810.

      (e) Funds maintained by a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, or other governmental entities.

      (f) Trust funds held for a single business transaction or an escrow arrangement.

      (g) Trusts created by a depository agreement with a financial institution.

      (h) Trusts created by an account agreement with a regulated financial services entity.

      (i) An account maintained under the Oregon Uniform Transfers to Minors Act as set forth in ORS 126.805 to 126.886.

      (j) A fund maintained pursuant to court order in conjunction with a bankruptcy proceeding or business liquidation.

      (k) A business trust as described in ORS 128.560.

      (L) A voting trust as described in ORS 60.254.

      (m) Funds maintained to manage proceeds from class actions.

      (n) A trust deed as defined in ORS 86.705 or any other trust created solely to secure the performance of an obligation.

      (o) A trust established on behalf of a resident of a residential facility under ORS 443.880.

      (p) A trust managed by a nonprofit association for persons with disabilities under 42 U.S.C. 1396p(d)(4)(C), as in effect on January 1, 2006, and under the rules of the Department of Human Services.

      (q) A resulting or constructive trust.

      (r) A trust fund established for a purchaser who enters into a prearrangement sales contract, as defined in ORS 97.923, or a preconstruction sales contract, as defined in ORS 97.923. [2005 c.348 §2; 2007 c.70 §32; 2011 c.158 §5; 2011 c.712 §3]

 

      130.010 UTC 103. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter:

      (1) “Ascertainable standard” means an ascertainable standard relating to an individual’s health, education, support or maintenance within the meaning of section 2041(b)(1)(A) or 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2006.

      (2) “Beneficiary” means a person that:

      (a) Has a present or future beneficial interest in a trust, whether vested or contingent; or

      (b) Holds a power of appointment over trust property in a capacity other than that of trustee.

      (3) “Charitable trust” means a trust, or portion of a trust, described in ORS 130.170 (1).

      (4) “Conservator” means a person appointed by a court to administer the estate of a minor or adult individual.

      (5) “Environmental law” means a federal, state or local law, rule, regulation or ordinance relating to protection of the environment.

      (6) “Financial institution” has the meaning given that term in ORS 706.008.

      (7) “Financially incapable” has the meaning given that term in ORS 125.005. “Financially capable” means not financially incapable.

      (8) “Guardian” means a person appointed by a court to make decisions regarding the support, care, education, health and welfare of a minor or adult individual. “Guardian” does not include a guardian ad litem.

      (9) “Interests of the beneficiaries” means the beneficial interests provided in the terms of a trust.

      (10) “Permissible distributee” means a beneficiary who is currently eligible to receive distributions of trust income or principal, whether the distribution is mandatory or discretionary.

      (11) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public body as defined in ORS 174.109 or any other legal or commercial entity.

      (12) “Power of withdrawal” means a presently exercisable general power of appointment, other than a power exercisable by a trustee that is limited by an ascertainable standard or that is exercisable by another person only upon consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.

      (13) “Property” means anything that may be the subject of ownership, whether real or personal, legal or equitable, or any interest therein.

      (14) “Qualified beneficiary” means a beneficiary who:

      (a) Is a permissible distributee on the date the beneficiary’s qualification is determined;

      (b) Would be a permissible distributee if the interests of all permissible distributees described in paragraph (a) of this subsection terminated on the date the beneficiary’s qualification is determined; or

      (c) Would be a permissible distributee if the trust terminated on the date the beneficiary’s qualification is determined.

      (15) “Remote interest beneficiary” means a beneficiary of a trust whose beneficial interest in the trust, at the time the determination of interest is made, is contingent upon the successive terminations of both the interest of a qualified beneficiary and the interest of a secondary beneficiary whose interests precede the interest of the remote interest beneficiary.

      (16) “Revocable trust” means a trust that can be revoked by the settlor without the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.

      (17) “Secondary beneficiary” means a beneficiary, other than a qualified beneficiary, whose beneficial interest in the trust, at the time the determination of interest is made, is contingent solely upon the termination of all qualified beneficiary interests that precede the interest of the secondary beneficiary.

      (18) “Settlor” means a person, including a testator, who creates a trust 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 that person’s contribution and of the portion as to which that person has the power to revoke or withdraw.

      (19) “Spendthrift provision” means a term of a trust that restrains both voluntary and involuntary transfer of a beneficiary’s interest.

      (20) “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. “State” includes an Indian tribe or band recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state.

      (21) “Terms of a trust” means the manifestation of the settlor’s intent regarding a trust’s provisions as expressed in the trust instrument or as may be established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding.

      (22) “Trust instrument” means an instrument executed by a settlor that contains terms of the trust, including any amendments to the instrument.

      (23) “Trustee” means an original trustee, an additional trustee, a successor trustee or a cotrustee. [2005 c.348 §3; 2009 c.275 §1; 2009 c.294 §16; 2013 c.529 §1]

 

      130.015 UTC 104. Knowledge. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, a person has knowledge of a fact if the person:

      (a) Has actual knowledge of the fact;

      (b) Has received a notice or notification of the fact; or

      (c) From all the facts and circumstances known to the person at the time in question, has reason to know the fact.

      (2) An organization that conducts activities through employees has notice or knowledge of a fact involving a trust only from the time the information was received by an employee having responsibility to act for the trust, or would have been brought to the employee’s attention if the organization had exercised reasonable diligence. An organization exercises reasonable diligence if the organization maintains reasonable routines for communicating significant information to the employee having responsibility to act for the trust and there is reasonable compliance with the routines. Reasonable diligence does not require an employee of the organization to communicate information unless the communication is part of the employee’s regular duties or the employee knows a matter involving the trust would be materially affected by the information. [2005 c.348 §4]

 

      130.020 UTC 105. Default and mandatory rules. (1) Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the trust, this chapter governs the duties and powers of a trustee, relations among trustees, and the rights and interests of a beneficiary.

      (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the terms of a trust may expand, restrict, eliminate or otherwise vary any laws of general application to trustees pertaining to the manner in which the trustee should invest assets, including whether to engage in one or more sustainable or socially responsible investment strategies in addition to or in place of other investment strategies, with or without regard to investment performance.

      (3) The terms of a trust prevail over the provisions of this chapter except:

      (a) The requirements of ORS 130.150 to 130.190 governing the creation of a trust.

      (b) The duty of a trustee to act in good faith and in accordance with the purposes of the trust.

      (c) The requirement that a trust and the terms of a trust be for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries, and that the trust have a purpose that is lawful, not contrary to public policy and possible to achieve.

      (d) The power of the court to modify or terminate a trust under ORS 130.195 to 130.225.

      (e) The effect of a spendthrift provision and the rights of creditors and assignees to reach interests in a trust as provided in ORS 130.300 to 130.325.

      (f) The power of the court under ORS 130.605 to require, dispense with, modify or terminate a bond.

      (g) The power of the court under ORS 130.635 (2) to adjust a trustee’s compensation specified in the terms of the trust if the compensation is unreasonably low or high.

      (h) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, the duty under ORS 130.710 (2)(b) and (c) to notify qualified beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust of the existence of the trust, of the identity of the trustee and of their right to request trustee reports.

      (i) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, the duty under ORS 130.710 (1) to respond to the request of a qualified beneficiary of an irrevocable trust for trustee reports and other information reasonably related to the administration of a trust.

      (j) The effect of an exculpatory term under ORS 130.835.

      (k) The rights under ORS 130.845, 130.850, 130.855 and 130.860 of a person other than a trustee or beneficiary.

      (L) Periods of limitation for commencing a judicial proceeding.

      (m) The power of the court to take such action and exercise such jurisdiction as may be necessary in the interests of justice.

      (n) The subject-matter jurisdiction of the court and venue for commencing a proceeding as provided in ORS 130.060 and 130.065.

      (4) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the settlor, in the trust instrument or in another writing delivered to the trustee, may waive or modify the duties of a trustee under ORS 130.710 to give notice, information and reports to qualified beneficiaries by:

      (a) Waiving or modifying those duties during the period that either the settlor is alive and financially capable, or the settlor’s spouse, if a qualified beneficiary, is alive and financially capable; or

      (b) Designating a person or persons to act in good faith to protect the interests of qualified beneficiaries and to receive any notice, information or reports required under ORS 130.710 (1), (2)(b) to (d) and (3) in lieu of providing the notice, information or reports to the qualified beneficiaries.

      (5) All reports under ORS 130.710 (3) that contain information relating to termination of the trust must be provided to the qualified beneficiaries and to any person or persons designated under subsection (4)(b) of this section. [2005 c.348 §5; 2009 c.275 §2; 2019 c.546 §1]

 

      130.022 UTC 108. Principal place of administration. (1) Terms of a trust designating the principal place of administration are valid and controlling if:

      (a) A trustee’s principal place of business is located in the designated state, country or other jurisdiction, or the trustee is a resident of the designated state, country or other jurisdiction;

      (b) All or part of the administration occurs in the designated state, country or other jurisdiction; or

      (c) Other means exist for establishing a sufficient connection with the designated state, country or other jurisdiction.

      (2) A trustee is under a continuing duty to administer the trust at a place appropriate to the trust’s purposes, the trust’s administration and the interests of the beneficiaries. Absent a substantial change of circumstances, the trustee may assume that the original place of administration is also the appropriate place of administration. The duty to administer the trust at an appropriate place may prevent a trustee from moving the place of administration.

      (3)(a) A trustee may transfer the trust’s principal place of administration to another state, country or other jurisdiction if the transfer is in furtherance of the duty imposed by subsection (2) of this section.

      (b) A trustee shall notify qualified beneficiaries of the trust of a proposed transfer of the trust’s principal place of administration not fewer than 60 days before initiating the transfer. The notice of proposed transfer must include all of the following:

      (A) The name of the state, country or other jurisdiction to which the principal place of administration is to be transferred.

      (B) The address and telephone number at the new location at which the trustee can be contacted.

      (C) An explanation of the reasons for the proposed transfer.

      (D) The date on which the proposed transfer is anticipated to occur.

      (E) The date by which the qualified beneficiary must notify the trustee of an objection to the proposed transfer. The date for notifying a trustee of an objection may not be fewer than 60 days after the date on which the notice is given.

      (c) The authority of a trustee under this subsection to transfer a trust’s principal place of administration terminates if a qualified beneficiary notifies the trustee of an objection to the proposed transfer on or before the date specified in the notice.

      (d) The trustee may transfer some or all of the trust property to a successor trustee designated in the terms of the trust or appointed pursuant to ORS 130.615 in connection with a transfer of the trust’s principal place of administration. [2005 c.348 §8]

 

      130.025 UTC 106. Common law of trusts; principles of equity. The common law of trusts and principles of equity supplement this chapter, except to the extent modified by this chapter or other law. [2005 c.348 §6]

 

      130.030 UTC 107. Governing law. The meaning and effect of the terms of a trust are determined by:

      (1) The law of the state, country or other jurisdiction designated in the terms of the trust unless the designation of the law of that state, country or other jurisdiction is contrary to a strong public policy of the state, country or other jurisdiction having the most significant relationship to the matter at issue; or

      (2) In the absence of a controlling designation in the terms of the trust, the law of the state, country or other jurisdiction having the most significant relationship to the matter at issue. [2005 c.348 §7]

 

      130.035 UTC 109. Methods of giving notice; waiver of notice. (1) If any provision of this chapter requires that a trustee or other person give notice or requires that the trustee or other person send a document, the trustee or other person must give the notice or send the document in a manner reasonably suitable under the circumstances and likely to result in receipt of the notice or document. Permissible methods of giving notice and sending documents under this chapter include first class mail, personal delivery, delivery to a person’s last known place of residence or place of business, or properly directed electronic mail.

      (2) If any provision of this chapter requires that a trustee or other person give notice or requires that the trustee or other person send a document to another person, the trustee or other person need not give the notice or send the document to any person whose identity or location is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable. If the trustee or other person cannot give notice or send a document, the trustee or other person shall prepare an affidavit setting forth the efforts made to find the person. The trustee must file the affidavit in any pending court proceeding or hold the affidavit as part of the trust records if a court proceeding is not pending.

      (3) Any person entitled to receive a notice or a document under this chapter may waive receipt of the notice or document.

      (4) Subsections (1) to (3) of this section do not apply to notices of judicial proceedings. Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, notice of a judicial proceeding shall be given in the manner required by statute for the approval of the final account in a decedent’s estate. Notice of a judicial proceeding must be given by the petitioner to the following persons:

      (a) To the trustee and all persons whose interests are affected by the requested action or relief.

      (b) If a person who is entitled to notice is a minor, to the minor’s conservator or to another appropriate representative under ORS 130.100 to 130.120 if the minor does not have a conservator. If the minor is 14 years of age or older, notice must also be given to the minor.

      (c) If a person who is entitled to notice is financially incapable, to the person and to the person’s conservator or another appropriate representative under ORS 130.100 to 130.120 if the person does not have a conservator.

      (d) To any other person the court requires.

      (5) A judicial proceeding to contest the validity of a revocable trust must be commenced by the service of a summons in the manner required by ORCP 7. Notice of any other judicial proceeding must be given in the manner prescribed by subsection (4) of this section. [2005 c.348 §9; 2009 c.275 §4]

 

      130.040 UTC 110. Other persons treated as qualified beneficiaries. (1) A charitable organization expressly designated to receive distributions under the terms of a charitable trust has the rights of a qualified beneficiary under this chapter if the charitable organization is otherwise a qualified beneficiary as defined in ORS 130.010.

      (2) A person appointed to enforce a trust created for the care of an animal or another noncharitable purpose as provided in ORS 130.185 or 130.190 has the rights of a qualified beneficiary under this chapter.

      (3) A person appointed as a trust enforcer of a stewardship trust as provided in ORS 130.193 has the rights of a qualified beneficiary under this chapter.

      (4) The Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary with respect to a charitable trust having its principal place of administration in Oregon. [2005 c.348 §10; 2009 c.275 §5; 2019 c.162 §3]

 

      130.045 UTC 111. Nonjudicial settlement agreements. (1) For purposes of this section, “interested persons” means:

      (a) Any settlor of a trust who is living;

      (b) All qualified beneficiaries;

      (c) Any acting trustee of the trust;

      (d) The Attorney General if the trust is a charitable trust; and

      (e) All members of a trust stewardship committee acting pursuant to ORS 130.193.

      (2) If the trust or a portion of the trust is a charitable trust and is irrevocable, and the settlor retains a power to change the beneficiaries of the charitable trust during the settlor’s lifetime or upon the settlor’s death, the Attorney General shall be substituted as the sole interested person to represent all charitable trust beneficiaries whose beneficial interests are subject to the settlor’s retained power.

      (3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, interested persons may enter into a nonjudicial settlement agreement with respect to any matter involving a trust.

      (b) If the agreement is not filed with the court under subsection (6) of this section, the agreement is binding on all parties to the agreement.

      (c) If the agreement is filed with the court, the agreement is binding as provided in subsections (6) and (7) of this section unless, after the filing of objections and a hearing, the court does not approve the agreement. If the court does not approve the agreement, the agreement is not binding on any beneficiary or party to the agreement.

      (4) A nonjudicial settlement agreement is valid only to the extent the agreement does not violate a material purpose of the trust and includes terms and conditions that could be properly approved by the court under this chapter or other applicable law.

      (5) Matters that may be resolved by a nonjudicial settlement agreement include:

      (a) The interpretation or construction of the terms of the trust or other writings that affect the trust.

      (b) The approval of a trustee’s report or accounting.

      (c) Direction to a trustee to refrain from performing a particular act or the grant to a trustee of any necessary or desirable power.

      (d) The resignation or appointment of a trustee or cotrustee and the determination of a trustee’s compensation.

      (e) Transfer of a trust’s principal place of administration.

      (f) Liability of a trustee for an action or failure to act relating to the trust.

      (g) Determining classes of creditors, beneficiaries, heirs, next of kin or other persons.

      (h) Resolving disputes arising out of the administration or distribution of the trust.

      (i) Modifying the terms of the trust, including extending or reducing the period during which the trust operates.

      (6)(a) Any interested person may file a settlement agreement entered into under this section, or a memorandum summarizing the provisions of the agreement, with the circuit court for any county where trust assets are located or where the trustee administers the trust.

      (b) After collecting the fee provided for in subsection (8) of this section, the clerk shall enter the agreement or memorandum of record in the court’s register.

      (c) Within five days after the filing of an agreement or memorandum under this subsection, the person making the filing must serve a notice of the filing and a copy of the agreement or memorandum on each beneficiary of the trust whose address is known at the time of the filing and who is not a party to the agreement. Service may be made personally, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice of filing shall be substantially in the following form:

______________________________________________________________________________

 

CAPTION                   NOTICE OF FILING OF

OF CASE                    SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

                                    OR MEMORANDUM OF

                                    SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

 

      You are hereby notified that the attached document was filed by the undersigned in the above entitled court on the _____ day of

______, ___. Unless you file objections to the agreement within 60 days after that date, the agreement will be approved and will be binding on all beneficiaries and parties to the agreement.

      If you file objections within the 60-day period, the court will fix a time and place for a hearing. At least 10 days before the date of that hearing, you must serve a copy of your objections and give notice of the time and place of the hearing to all beneficiaries and parties to the agreement. See ORS 130.045.

_____________________

Signature

______________________________________________________________________________

      (d) Proof of mailing of the notices required under this subsection must be filed with the court. Proof of service may be made by a certificate of service in the form provided by ORCP 7 F, by a signed acceptance of service or by a return receipt from the postal authorities.

      (e) If no objections are filed with the court within 60 days after the filing of the agreement or memorandum, the agreement is effective and binding on all beneficiaries who received notice under paragraph (c) of this subsection and all beneficiaries who waived notice under subsection (7)(e) of this section.

      (7)(a) If objections are filed with the court within 60 days after the filing of a settlement agreement or memorandum under this section, the clerk of the court shall collect the fee provided in subsection (8) of this section. Upon the filing of objections, the court shall fix a time and place for a hearing. The person filing the objections must serve a copy of the objections on all beneficiaries who are parties to the agreement and all beneficiaries who received notice under subsection (6)(c) of this section, and give notice to those persons of the time and place fixed by the court for a hearing. Service must be made at least 10 days before the date set by the court for the hearing. Service of the objections may be made personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.

      (b) Proof of mailing of objections must be filed with the court. Proof of service may be made by a certificate of service in the form provided by ORCP 7 F, by a signed acceptance of service or by a return receipt from the postal authorities.

      (c) The court shall approve an agreement entered into under this section after a hearing upon objections filed under this subsection unless:

      (A) The agreement does not reflect the signatures of all persons required by this section;

      (B) The agreement is not authorized by this section; or

      (C) Approval of the agreement would not be equitable to beneficiaries who are not interested persons and who are not parties to the agreement.

      (d) An agreement approved by the court after a hearing is binding on all beneficiaries and parties to the agreement.

      (e) Beneficiaries entitled to notice under subsection (6)(c) of this section may waive the notice.

      (8) The clerk of the circuit court shall collect in advance the filing fees established under ORS 21.135 for the filing of an agreement or memorandum of agreement under subsection (6) of this section and for the filing of objections under subsection (7) of this section. [2005 c.348 §11; 2009 c.275 §6; 2011 c.595 §30; 2013 c.529 §2; 2019 c.162 §4]

 

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

 

      130.050 UTC 201. Role of court in administration of trust. (1) A court may intervene in the administration of a trust to the extent the court’s jurisdiction is invoked by an interested person or as provided by law.

      (2) A trust is not subject to continuing judicial supervision unless ordered by a court.

      (3) A judicial proceeding may relate to any matter involving a trust’s administration, including a request for instructions or a declaratory judgment action. [2005 c.348 §12]

 

      130.055 UTC 202. Jurisdiction over trustee and beneficiary. (1) By accepting the trusteeship of a trust having its principal place of administration in Oregon or by moving the principal place of administration to this state, the trustee submits personally to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state regarding any matter involving the trust.

      (2) The beneficiaries of a trust having its principal place of administration in Oregon are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Oregon regarding any matter involving the beneficiaries’ interests in the trust. By accepting a distribution from such a trust, the recipient submits personally to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state regarding any matter involving the trust.

      (3) This section does not preclude other methods of obtaining jurisdiction over a trustee, beneficiary or other person receiving property from the trust. [2005 c.348 §13]

 

      130.060 UTC 203. Subject-matter jurisdiction. Except as provided in ORS 130.355, the circuit court has jurisdiction of proceedings in this state concerning the administration of a trust. [2005 c.348 §14; 2009 c.275 §7]

 

      130.065 UTC 204. Venue. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, venue for a judicial proceeding involving a trust is in the county in which the trust’s principal place of administration is or will be located.

      (2) If a trust is created by will and the estate is not yet closed, venue for a judicial proceeding involving a trust is in the county in which the decedent’s estate is being administered.

      (3) If a trust has no trustee, venue for a judicial proceeding for the appointment of a trustee is in a county in which a beneficiary resides, in a county in which any trust property is located and, if the trust is created by will, in the county in which the decedent’s estate was or is being administered. [2005 c.348 §15]

 

REPRESENTATION

 

      130.100 UTC 301. Representation; basic effect. (1) Notice to a person who may represent and bind another person under ORS 130.100 to 130.120 has the same effect as if notice were given directly to the other person. Notice to a representative must comply with ORS 130.035 (4).

      (2) The consent of a person who may represent and bind another person under ORS 130.100 to 130.120 is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent would otherwise have become effective.

      (3) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 130.200 and 130.505, a person who is authorized to represent a financially incapable settlor under ORS 130.100 to 130.120 may receive notice and give binding consent on the settlor’s behalf.

      (4) A settlor may not represent and bind a beneficiary under ORS 130.100 to 130.120 with respect to the termination or modification of an irrevocable trust under ORS 130.200 (1). [2005 c.348 §16]

 

      130.105 UTC 302. Representation by holder of testamentary power of appointment. To the extent there is no conflict of interest between the holder of a testamentary power of appointment and the persons represented with respect to the particular question or dispute, the holder may represent and bind persons whose interests are subject to the power as permissible appointees, as takers in default or by other reason. [2005 c.348 §17; 2007 c.33 §1]

 

      130.110 UTC 303. Representation by fiduciaries and parents. To the extent there is no conflict of interest between the representative and the person represented or among those being represented with respect to a particular question or dispute:

      (1) A conservator may represent and bind the estate that the conservator controls;

      (2) An agent having authority to act with respect to the particular question or dispute may represent and bind the principal;

      (3) A trustee may represent and bind the beneficiaries of the trust;

      (4) A personal representative of a decedent’s estate may represent and bind persons interested in the estate; and

      (5) A parent may represent and bind the parent’s minor or unborn child if a conservator for the child has not been appointed. [2005 c.348 §18]

 

      130.115 UTC 304. Representation by person having substantially identical interest. Unless otherwise represented, a minor, financially incapable individual or unborn individual, or a person whose identity or location is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable, may be represented by and bound by another person having a substantially identical interest with respect to the particular question or dispute, but only to the extent there is no conflict of interest between the representative and the person represented. [2005 c.348 §19]

 

      130.120 UTC 305. Appointment of special representative. (1) If the court determines that the interest of a person is not represented under ORS 130.100 to 130.120, or that the otherwise available representation might be inadequate, the court may appoint a special representative to receive notice, give consent and otherwise represent, bind and act on behalf of a minor, financially incapable individual or unborn individual, or a person whose identity or location is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable. A special representative may be appointed to represent several persons or interests, if the interests of the persons represented do not conflict.

      (2) A special representative may act on behalf of the individual represented with respect to any matter that the court has authorized, whether or not a judicial proceeding concerning the trust is pending.

      (3) In making decisions, a special representative may consider general benefit accruing to the living members of the individual’s family.

      (4) A person appointed as special representative must have appropriate skills and experience necessary to adequately represent the individual in the matter for which the special representative is appointed. A special representative may not have an interest in the trust that is the subject of the appointment of the special representative. A special representative may not be related to a personal representative of an estate with an interest in the trust, or to a trustee, beneficiary or other person with an interest in the trust.

      (5) A person requesting the appointment of a special representative must file a petition with the court describing the proposed special representative, the need for a special representative, the qualifications of the special representative, the person or persons who will be represented, the actions that the special representative will take and the approximate date or event when the authority of the special representative will terminate. The person seeking to serve as special representative must file a consent to serve.

      (6) A special representative appointed under this section is entitled to reasonable compensation for services. The trustee shall pay compensation to the special representative from the principal of the trust that is attributable to those beneficiaries who are represented. If the beneficiaries who are represented do not have principal that is attributable to them, compensation is an administrative expense of the trust.

      (7) Upon completion of the responsibilities of the special representative, the special representative shall move the court for an order discharging the special representative. Upon order of the court, a special representative appointed under this section shall be discharged from any further responsibility with respect to the trust. [2005 c.348 §20]

 

CREATION, VALIDITY, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

 

      130.150 UTC 401. Methods of creating trust. (1) A trust may be created:

      (a) By transfer of property to another person as trustee during the settlor’s lifetime or by will or other disposition taking effect upon the settlor’s death;

      (b) By declaration by the owner of property that the owner holds identifiable property as trustee;

      (c) By exercise of a power of appointment in favor of a trustee;

      (d) By an agent or attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney that expressly grants authority to create the trust; or

      (e) Pursuant to a statute or judgment that requires property to be administered in the manner of an express trust.

      (2) The following apply to trusts for death benefits:

      (a) A trustee may be named as beneficiary of any death benefits, and the death benefits shall be paid to the trustee and be held and disposed of by the trustee as provided in a trust created by the designator during the lifetime of the designator. A trust is valid even though the trust does not have a trust corpus other than the right of the trustee to receive death benefits as beneficiary.

      (b) A trustee named by will may be designated as beneficiary of death benefits if the designation is made in accordance with the provisions of the policy, contract, plan, trust or other governing instrument. Upon probate of the will, or upon the filing of a simple estate affidavit under ORS 114.515, the death benefits are payable to the trustee to be held and disposed of under the terms of the designator’s will in the same manner as other testamentary trusts are administered. Unless otherwise provided by the designator, an obligor may make payment of death benefits to the personal representative of the designator, or to the persons who are otherwise entitled to the death benefits, if a qualified trustee does not claim the death benefits within one year after the death of the designator, or if satisfactory evidence is furnished within the one-year period showing that there is no trustee who can qualify to receive the death benefits. The obligor is discharged from any liability for the death benefits upon making the payment.

      (c) Death benefits received by the trustee are not subject to the debts of the designator or to inheritance or estate taxes to any greater extent than if the death benefits were payable to the beneficiaries named in the trust and not to the estate of the designator.

      (d) Death benefits held in trust may be commingled with any other assets that may properly become a part of the trust.

      (3) As used in this section:

      (a) “Death benefits” means death benefits of any kind, including proceeds of life insurance policies, payments under annuity or endowment contracts, and funds payable in connection with pension, retirement, stock bonus or profit-sharing plans, or any trust administered in connection with these arrangements.

      (b) “Designator” means the person entitled to designate the beneficiary of death benefits upon the death of the person.

      (c) “Obligor” means the insurer or other person obligated to pay death benefits. [2005 c.348 §21; 2009 c.275 §8; 2019 c.165 §24; 2023 c.17 §23]

 

      130.155 UTC 402. Requirements for creation. (1) A trust is created only if all of the following requirements are met:

      (a) The settlor has capacity to create a trust.

      (b) The settlor indicates an intention to create the trust.

      (c) The trust has a definite beneficiary or is:

      (A) A charitable trust;

      (B) A trust for the care of an animal, as provided in ORS 130.185;

      (C) A trust for a noncharitable purpose, as provided in ORS 130.190; or

      (D) A stewardship trust, as provided in ORS 130.193.

      (d) The trustee has duties to perform.

      (e) The same person is not the sole trustee and sole beneficiary.

      (2) A beneficiary is definite for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) of this section if the beneficiary can be ascertained when the trust is created or at any time thereafter, subject to any applicable rule against perpetuities.

      (3) A power of a trustee to select a beneficiary from an indefinite class is valid. If the power is not exercised within a reasonable time, the power fails and the property subject to the power passes to the persons who would have taken the property had the power not been conferred. [2005 c.348 §22; 2019 c.162 §5]

 

      130.160 UTC 403. Trusts created in other states, countries or jurisdictions. A trust not created by will is validly created if the creation of the trust complies with the law of the state, country or other jurisdiction in which the trust instrument was executed, or the law of the state, country or other jurisdiction in which, at the time of creation:

      (1) The settlor was domiciled, had a place of abode or was a national;

      (2) A trustee was domiciled or had a place of business; or

      (3) Any trust property was located. [2005 c.348 §23]

 

      130.165 UTC 404. Trust purposes. A trust may be created only to the extent the purposes of the trust are lawful, not contrary to public policy and possible to achieve. A trust and its terms must be for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries. [2005 c.348 §24]

 

      130.170 UTC 405. Charitable trusts; enforcement. (1) A charitable trust is a trust that:

      (a) Expressly designates one or more charitable organizations, or one or more classes of charitable organizations, to receive distributions as beneficiaries of the trust unless the combined interests of all charitable beneficiaries are negligible or all charitable beneficiaries are remote interest beneficiaries; or

      (b) Is created for the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, governmental or municipal purposes, or other purposes beneficial to the community, but that does not contain contingencies that make the charitable interest negligible.

      (2) If the terms of a charitable trust do not indicate a particular charitable purpose or beneficiary, the court may select one or more charitable purposes or beneficiaries. The selection must be consistent with the settlor’s intention to the extent that intent can be ascertained.

      (3) The settlor of a charitable trust, in addition to other persons authorized by law or the trust instrument, may maintain a proceeding to enforce the trust.

      (4) A court may modify or terminate a charitable trust only if the Attorney General is a party to the proceedings. [2005 c.348 §25; 2009 c.275 §9; 2013 c.529 §3]

 

      130.175 UTC 406. Creation of trust induced by fraud, duress or undue influence. A trust is void to the extent the creation of the trust was induced by fraud, duress or undue influence. [2005 c.348 §26]

 

      130.180 UTC 407. Evidence of oral trust. Except as required by a statute other than this chapter, a trust need not be evidenced by a trust instrument. The creation of an oral trust, and the terms of an oral trust, must be established by clear and convincing evidence. [2005 c.348 §27]

 

      130.185 UTC 408. Pet trust. (1) A trust may be created to provide for the care of one or more animals that are alive during the settlor’s lifetime. The trust terminates upon the death of the animal or, if the trust was created to provide for the care of more than one animal, upon the death of the last surviving animal. An oral or written declaration shall be liberally construed in favor of finding the creation of a trust under this section. There is a presumption against merely precatory or honorary disposition on behalf of an animal.

      (2) A trust authorized by this section may be enforced by a person appointed in the terms of the trust or, if a person is not appointed in the terms of the trust, by a person appointed by the court. A person having an interest in the welfare of the animal may request the court to appoint a person to enforce the trust or to remove a person appointed. Reasonable compensation for a person appointed by the court may be paid from the assets of the trust.

      (3) Property of a trust authorized by this section may be applied only to its intended use. Upon termination of the trust, property of the trust must be distributed to those persons designated in the trust. In the absence of a designation, the property shall be distributed to the settlor if the settlor is living when the distribution is made, or to the settlor’s successors in interest if the settlor is not living when the distribution is made.

      (4) Except as ordered by a circuit court or required by the trust instrument, a trustee for a trust authorized under this section need not pay any fee or make any filing, report, registration, periodic accounting, separate maintenance of funds or appointment by reason of the existence of the fiduciary relationship of the trustee. A person appointed to enforce the trust may request a report under ORS 130.710 (3). [2005 c.348 §28]

 

      130.190 UTC 409. Noncharitable trust without ascertainable beneficiary. Except as otherwise provided in ORS 130.185 or by another statute:

      (1) A trust may be created for a noncharitable purpose without a definite or definitely ascertainable beneficiary or for a noncharitable but otherwise valid purpose to be selected by the trustee. The trust may not be enforced for more than 90 years.

      (2) A trust authorized by this section may be enforced by a person appointed in the terms of the trust or, if a person is not appointed in the terms of the trust, by a person appointed by the court.

      (3) Property of a trust authorized by this section may be applied only to its intended use, except to the extent the court determines that the value of the trust property exceeds the amount required for the intended use. Trust property not required for the intended use must be distributed to those persons designated in the trust. In the absence of a designation, the property shall be distributed to the settlor if the settlor is living when the distribution is made, or to the settlor’s successors in interest if the settlor is not living when the distribution is made. [2005 c.348 §29]

 

      130.193 Stewardship trust. (1) A stewardship trust may be created under this section for a business purpose without a definite or definitely ascertainable beneficiary. The business purpose may seek economic and noneconomic benefits.

      (2) A stewardship trust may hold an ownership interest of any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, cooperative, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or joint venture.

      (3) A stewardship trust may be enforced by one or more trust enforcers appointed in the terms of the trust, and the terms of the trust may provide a process for appointing successor trust enforcers. If at any time no person is acting as trust enforcer, the court shall name one or more trust enforcers. Each trust enforcer shall enforce the purpose and the terms of the trust and shall exercise authority as a fiduciary. If more than one person is acting as a trust enforcer, action may be taken by a majority of the persons acting as trust enforcers. A trust enforcer is not a beneficiary of a trust created pursuant to this section, but a trust enforcer has the rights of a qualified beneficiary.

      (4) A stewardship trust must have a trust stewardship committee with at least three persons as members. Each member of the trust stewardship committee shall exercise authority as a fiduciary. The terms of the trust may appoint the initial members of the trust stewardship committee and may provide a process for appointing successor members. A vacancy on the trust stewardship committee must be filled if the trust stewardship committee has fewer than three members.

      (5) A vacancy on the trust stewardship committee that is required to be filled must be filled in the following order of priority:

      (a) By a person designated in the terms of the trust or selected through a process provided in the terms of the trust;

      (b) By a person appointed by unanimous agreement of the trust enforcers; or

      (c) By a person appointed by the court.

      (6) Unless the terms of the trust provide otherwise and except as provided in subsections (7)(d) and (11) of this section, the trust stewardship committee may take action by a majority vote of its members.

      (7) Unless the terms of the trust provide otherwise, the trust stewardship committee has the power, in carrying out the purposes of the trust and after notice to the trust enforcers, to:

      (a) Remove a trustee, with or without cause;

      (b) Appoint one or more successor trustees or cotrustees;

      (c) Remove a trust enforcer, with or without cause;

      (d) Remove a member of the stewardship committee, by unanimous vote of all other members of the trust stewardship committee;

      (e) Direct distributions from the trust; and

      (f) Exercise all rights belonging to the trustee, including the right to vote stock owned by the trust.

      (8) Unless the trust agreement provides otherwise, a member of the trust stewardship committee or a trust enforcer may resign:

      (a) After at least 30 days’ notice to the trustee, all trust enforcers and all members of the trust stewardship committee; or

      (b) At any time with the approval of a court.

      (9) The trust stewardship committee must send a report to the trustee and to the trust enforcers at least annually showing receipts and disbursements and listing trust property and liabilities. The trust stewardship committee shall keep the trustee and the trust enforcers reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for the trustee to comply with the trustee’s duties under ORS 130.710 and for the trust enforcers to protect the purposes of the trust.

      (10) A trustee of a stewardship trust shall act in accordance with a direction from the trust stewardship committee unless the action is manifestly contrary to the terms of the trust or the trustee knows that the action would constitute a serious breach of a fiduciary duty that the trust stewardship committee, the trust enforcer or the trustee owes to the trust. A trustee is liable only for willful misconduct and is not liable for reliance on documents provided by the trust stewardship committee or the trust enforcer.

      (11) Unless the terms of the trust provide otherwise, the trust stewardship committee and the trust enforcers, acting together, may modify or terminate a stewardship trust by unanimous agreement of the members of the trust stewardship committee and unanimous agreement of the trust enforcers.

      (12) Upon termination of a stewardship trust, the trustee shall distribute all remaining trust property as the terms of the trust provide, or if the terms of the trust do not provide for complete distribution of the property, as a court determines to be consistent with the purposes for which the trust was created.

      (13) A person serving as a trustee may not serve as a trust enforcer or as a member of the trust stewardship committee, and a person serving as a trust enforcer may not serve as a member of the trust stewardship committee.

      (14) A stewardship trust may be enforced for more than 90 years if the terms of the trust provide that the trust will be enforceable for a specific period not less than 90 years or in perpetuity.

      (15) This section does not apply to trusts created pursuant to ORS 60.254. [2019 c.162 §2]

 

      130.195 UTC 410. Modification or termination of trust; proceedings for approval or disapproval. (1) In addition to the methods of termination prescribed by ORS 130.045, 130.200, 130.205, 130.210 and 130.215, a trust terminates:

      (a) To the extent the trust is revoked or expires pursuant to the terms of the trust;

      (b) If no purpose of the trust remains to be achieved; or

      (c) To the extent one or more of the purposes of the trust have become unlawful, contrary to public policy or impossible to achieve.

      (2) A proceeding to approve or disapprove a proposed modification or termination under ORS 130.045, 130.200, 130.205, 130.210, 130.215, 130.220 and 130.225, or trust combination or division under ORS 130.230, may be commenced by a trustee or beneficiary. A proceeding to approve or disapprove a proposed modification or termination under ORS 130.200 may be commenced by the settlor. The settlor of a charitable trust may maintain a proceeding to modify the trust under ORS 130.210. [2005 c.348 §30; 2009 c.275 §10; 2013 c.529 §4]

 

      130.200 UTC 411. Modification or termination of irrevocable trust by consent. (1) An irrevocable trust may be modified or terminated with approval of the court upon consent of the settlor and all beneficiaries who are not remote interest beneficiaries, even if the modification or termination is inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust. The Attorney General must consent to any modification or termination of a charitable trust. A settlor’s power to consent to a trust’s modification or termination may be exercised by:

      (a) An agent or attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney only to the extent expressly authorized by the terms of the trust or the power of attorney;

      (b) The settlor’s conservator with the approval of the court supervising the conservatorship if an agent or attorney-in-fact is not authorized by the terms of the trust or a power of attorney; or

      (c) The settlor’s guardian with the approval of the court supervising the guardianship if an agent or attorney-in-fact is not authorized by the terms of the trust or a power of attorney and a conservator has not been appointed.

      (2) An irrevocable trust may be terminated upon consent of all beneficiaries who are not remote interest beneficiaries if the court concludes that continuance of the trust is not necessary to achieve any material purpose of the trust. An irrevocable trust may be modified upon consent of all beneficiaries who are not remote interest beneficiaries if the court concludes that the modification is not inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust. The Attorney General must consent to any modification or termination of a charitable trust.

      (3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, a spendthrift provision in the terms of the trust is rebuttably presumed to constitute a material purpose of the trust.

      (4) Upon termination of a trust under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the trustee shall distribute the trust property as agreed to by the beneficiaries and, in the case of a charitable trust requiring the Attorney General’s consent, as agreed to by the Attorney General.

      (5) A proposed modification or termination of the trust under subsection (1) or (2) of this section may be approved by the court without the consent of all beneficiaries who are not remote interest beneficiaries if the court finds that:

      (a) If all beneficiaries who are not remote interest beneficiaries had consented, the trust could have been modified or terminated under this section; and

      (b) The interests of any beneficiary who does not consent will be adequately protected.

      (6) A binding nonjudicial settlement agreement relating to modification or termination of a trust may be entered into by all interested persons, as defined in ORS 130.045. [2005 c.348 §31; 2007 c.129 §21; 2009 c.275 §11; 2013 c.529 §5]

 

      130.205 UTC 412. Modifications or termination because of unanticipated circumstances or inability to administer trust effectively. (1) The court may modify the administrative or dispositive terms of a trust or terminate the trust if modification or termination will further the purposes of the trust and the modification or termination is requested by reason of circumstances not anticipated by the settlor. To the extent practicable, the modification must be made in accordance with the settlor’s probable intention.

      (2) The court may modify the administrative terms of a trust if continuation of the trust on its existing terms would be impracticable or wasteful, or would impair the trust’s administration.

      (3) A trustee may terminate a trust if:

      (a) Termination is appropriate by reason of circumstances not anticipated by the settlor;

      (b) Termination will not be inconsistent with the material purposes of the trust;

      (c) All qualified beneficiaries have consented to the termination;

      (d) The trustee is not a beneficiary of the trust and has no duty of support for any beneficiary of the trust; and

      (e) In the case of a charitable trust, the Attorney General has consented to the termination.

      (4) Upon termination of a trust under this section, the trustee shall distribute the trust property in a manner consistent with the purposes of the trust. [2005 c.348 §32; 2007 c.515 §1; 2009 c.275 §12]

 

      130.210 UTC 413. Cy pres. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, if a particular charitable purpose of a trust becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve or wasteful:

      (a) The trust does not fail, in whole or in part;

      (b) The trust property does not revert to the settlor or the settlor’s successors in interest; and

      (c) The court may apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust by directing that the trust property be applied or distributed, in whole or in part, in a manner consistent with the settlor’s charitable purposes.

      (2) If a provision in the terms of a charitable trust would result in distribution of the trust property to a noncharitable beneficiary, a court may not apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust under subsection (1)(c) of this section if, when the provision takes effect:

      (a) The trust property is to revert to the settlor and the settlor is still living; or

      (b) Fewer than 50 years have elapsed since the date of the trust’s creation. [2005 c.348 §33; 2009 c.275 §13]

 

      130.215 UTC 414. Modification or termination of uneconomic trust. (1) After notice to the qualified beneficiaries, a trustee may terminate a trust if the trustee concludes that the value of the trust property is insufficient to justify the cost of administration. A trustee may not terminate a trust under this section if the trustee is a qualified beneficiary of the trust or has a duty of support for a qualified beneficiary of the trust.

      (2) The court may modify or terminate a trust, or remove the trustee and appoint a different trustee, if the court finds that the value of the trust property is insufficient to justify the cost of administration.

      (3) Upon termination of a trust under this section, the trustee shall distribute the trust property in a manner consistent with the purposes of the trust.

      (4) This section does not apply to an easement for conservation or preservation. [2005 c.348 §34; 2013 c.529 §6]

 

      130.220 UTC 415. Reformation to correct mistakes. The court may reform the terms of a trust, even if unambiguous, to conform the terms to the settlor’s intention if the person requesting reformation proves by clear and convincing evidence that both the settlor’s intent and the terms of the trust were affected by a mistake of fact or law, whether in expression or inducement. [2005 c.348 §35]

 

      130.225 UTC 416. Modification to achieve settlor’s tax objectives. The court may modify the terms of a trust to achieve the settlor’s tax objectives if the modification is not contrary to the settlor’s probable intention. The court may provide that the modification has retroactive effect. [2005 c.348 §36]

 

      130.230 UTC 417. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, a trustee may:

      (a) Combine two or more trusts into a single trust by taking into account the pro rata economic interests of each beneficiary of each trust; or

      (b) Divide a trust into two or more separate trusts.

      (2) In taking any of the actions under subsection (1) of this section, the trustee shall:

      (a) Provide notice to all qualified beneficiaries in accordance with ORS 130.733;

      (b) Consider the individual rights of each beneficiary;

      (c) Exercise due care and prudent judgment;

      (d) Consider the terms of the trust instrument and amendments, if any, as well as all applicable statutory law; and

      (e) Take the action only if the result does not materially impair the rights of any beneficiary or adversely affect achievement of the intent of the trustor. [2005 c.348 §37; 2015 c.126 §2]

 

      Note: Section 5, chapter 126, Oregon Laws 2015, provides:

      Sec. 5. The amendments to ORS 130.230, 130.232, 130.715 and 130.730 by sections 1 to 4, chapter 126, Oregon Laws 2015, apply only to trusts executed on or after January 1, 2016, and to trust proceedings commenced on or after the effective date of this 2017 Act [May 15, 2017], regardless of when the trust at issue was executed. [2015 c.126 §5; 2017 c.54 §1]

 

      130.232 Division of trust into separate shares or portions; legal effect. (1) If the occurrence of an event, satisfaction of a condition or exercise of a power allows or creates an obligation for the trustee to divide a trust or any portion of a trust into separate shares or portions for the benefit of separate beneficiaries:

      (a) A separate share of a trust comes into existence at the earliest possible time that a trustee may reasonably determine, based upon the facts, that a separate economic interest exists for a beneficiary;

      (b) Each income beneficiary’s share resulting from the division of the trust will be deemed to have the beneficiary’s share of income based upon the beneficiary’s share of the distributable net income for the trust’s tax year relative to that of the other beneficiaries;

      (c) All of the terms of the trust instrument will be applied independently to each beneficiary’s share created pursuant to this section except as terms are specifically limited in the trust instrument; and

      (d) The trust or portion of the trust from which a beneficiary’s share originates will be deemed to terminate to the extent of the beneficiary’s share, subject only to the proper administration of the terminated trust occasioned by the terminating event, condition or exercise.

      (2) The provisions of this section are not elective and must be read so as to be consistent with section 663(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on December 31, 2013. Application of this section shall apply for all tax years that the trust is in existence unless an event occurs, the result of which is that the terms of the trust prevail, in which case the requirements of appropriate trust administration may require and result in a different treatment than would otherwise result in accordance with the provisions of this section. [2013 c.529 §24; 2015 c.126 §1]

 

      Note: See note under 130.230.

 

      130.235 In terrorem clause. (1) Except as provided in this section, an in terrorem clause in a trust is valid and enforceable. If a beneficiary challenges a trust that contains an in terrorem clause that applies to the beneficiary, the court shall enforce the clause against the beneficiary even though the beneficiary establishes that there was probable cause for the challenge.

      (2) The court shall not enforce an in terrorem clause if the beneficiary challenging the trust establishes that the beneficiary has probable cause to believe that the trust is a forgery or that the trust has been revoked.

      (3) The court shall not enforce an in terrorem clause if the challenge is brought by a fiduciary acting on behalf of a protected person under the provisions of ORS chapter 125, a guardian ad litem appointed for a minor or a guardian ad litem appointed for an incapacitated or financially incapable person.

      (4) For the purposes of this section, “in terrorem clause” means a provision in a trust that reduces or eliminates the interest of a beneficiary under the trust if the beneficiary challenges the validity of part or all of the trust. [2005 c.348 §38]

 

      130.237 Abatement due to insufficiency of trust property. (1) As used in this section, “abate” or “abatement” means to reduce or the reduction of a gift from a trust at the settlor’s death on account of the insufficiency of the trust property to pay all claims and expenses and distribute all gifts in full.

      (2) If the trust instrument expresses an order of abatement, or if the plan of distribution or the express or implied purpose of the distribution from the trust would be defeated by the order of abatement stated in subsection (3) of this section, the shares of the distributees abate as may be found necessary to give effect to the intention of the settlor.

      (3) Except as provided in ORS 130.555 as to the shares of pretermitted children, and in ORS 114.600 to 114.725 relating to the elective share of the surviving spouse, shares of distributees abate without any preference or priority as between real and personal property in the following order:

      (a) Property of the trust not disposed of by the terms of the trust instrument.

      (b) Residuary gifts, which are gifts paid from the trust after all claims and expenses are paid and all general gifts and specific gifts are distributed under the terms of the trust instrument.

      (c) General gifts, which are gifts chargeable generally on the trust corpus and which are not distinguishable from other parts of the trust corpus and are not given under the terms of the trust instrument as a gift of a specific thing or of a specified part of the trust corpus.

      (d) Specific gifts, which are gifts of a specific thing or of a specified part of the trust corpus as described under the terms of the trust instrument and that are capable of identification.

      (4) A general gift charged on any specific property or fund is considered, for purposes of abatement, to be property specifically given to the extent of the value of the property or fund on which the general gift is charged. Upon the failure or insufficiency of the property or fund on which the general gift is charged, the gift is considered a general gift to the extent of the failure or insufficiency.

      (5) Abatement within each classification is in proportion to the amounts of property each of the distributees would have received had full distribution of the property been made in accordance with the terms of the trust instrument.

      (6) Persons to whom the trust instrument gives tangible personal property not used in trade, agriculture or other business are not required to contribute from that property unless the property forms a substantial amount of the total estate and the court specifically orders contribution because of the gift.

      (7) When the subject matter of a preferred gift is sold or used incident to administration, abatement shall be achieved by appropriate adjustments in, or contribution from, other interests in the remaining assets. [2013 c.529 §26]

 

      130.240 Marital deduction gifts. (1) As used in this section:

      (a) “Marital deduction” means the federal estate tax deduction allowed for transfers under section 2056 of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2008, or the federal gift tax deduction allowed for transfers under section 2523 of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2008.

      (b) “Marital deduction gift” means a transfer of property that the settlor intended to qualify for the marital deduction.

      (2) If a trust contains a marital deduction gift:

      (a) The provisions of the trust, including any power, duty or discretionary authority given to a fiduciary, must be construed as necessary to comply with the marital deduction provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

      (b) The fiduciary may not take any action or have any power that impairs the tax deduction for the marital deduction gift.

      (c) The marital deduction gift may be satisfied only with property that qualifies for the tax deduction.

      (3) If a trust executed before September 12, 1981, indicates the settlor intended that a gift provide the maximum allowable marital deduction, the trust gives the recipient an amount equal to the maximum amount of the marital deduction that would have been allowed as of the date of the gift under federal law as it existed before September 12, 1981, with adjustments for:

      (a) The provisions of section 2056(c)(1)(B) and (C) of the Internal Revenue Code in effect immediately before September 12, 1981.

      (b) Reduction of the amount passing under the gift by the final federal estate tax values of any other property that passes under the trust, or by other means, that qualifies for the marital deduction. This paragraph does not apply to qualified terminable interest property under section 2056(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2008.

      (4) If a marital deduction gift is made in trust:

      (a) The settlor’s spouse is the only beneficiary of income or principal of the marital deduction property as long as the spouse lives. Nothing in this paragraph prevents exercise by the settlor’s spouse of a power of appointment included in a trust that qualifies as a general power of appointment marital deduction trust.

      (b) Subject to paragraph (d) of this subsection, the settlor’s spouse is entitled to all of the income of the marital deduction property at least once a year, as long as the spouse is alive.

      (c) The settlor’s spouse has the right to require that the trustee of the trust make unproductive marital deduction property productive or convert it into productive property within a reasonable time.

      (d) Notwithstanding any provision of ORS chapter 129, upon the death of the settlor’s spouse all remaining accrued or undistributed income from qualified terminable interest property under sections 2056(b)(7) or 2523(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2008, passes to the estate of the settlor’s spouse, unless the trust provides a different disposition that qualifies for the marital deduction.

      (5)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, if a trust that makes a marital deduction gift includes a requirement that the settlor’s spouse survive the settlor by a period of more than six months, or contains provisions that could result in a loss of the spouse’s interest in the trust if the spouse fails to survive the settlor by at least six months, the spouse need only survive the settlor by six months to receive the marital deduction gift.

      (b) If a trust that makes a marital deduction gift includes a requirement that the settlor’s spouse survive a common disaster that results in the death of the settlor, the spouse need only survive until the final audit of the federal estate tax return for the settlor’s estate, if any, to receive the marital deduction gift.

      (6) A trustee is not liable for a good faith decision whether to make any election referred to in sections 2056(b)(7) or 2523(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2008.

      (7) Subsections (4) and (6) of this section do not apply to a trust that qualifies for the marital deduction under 26 U.S.C. 2056, as described in 26 C.F.R. 2056(c)-2(b)(1), as in effect on January 1, 2008. [Formerly 128.398; 2009 c.275 §14]

 

CREDITOR’S CLAIMS; SPENDTHRIFT AND DISCRETIONARY TRUSTS

 

      130.300 UTC 501. Rights of beneficiary’s creditor or assignee. To the extent a beneficiary’s interest is not protected by a spendthrift provision, the court may authorize a creditor or assignee of the beneficiary to reach the beneficiary’s interest by garnishment or other execution against present or future distributions to or for the benefit of the beneficiary or by other means. The court may limit the award to such relief as is appropriate under the circumstances. [2005 c.348 §39]

 

      130.305 UTC 502. Spendthrift provision. (1) A spendthrift provision is valid only if the provision restrains both voluntary and involuntary transfer of a beneficiary’s interest.

      (2) A term of a trust providing that the interest of a beneficiary is held subject to a spendthrift trust, or words of similar import, is sufficient to restrain both voluntary and involuntary transfer of the beneficiary’s interest.

      (3) A beneficiary may not transfer an interest in a trust in violation of a valid spendthrift provision. Except as otherwise provided in ORS 130.300 to 130.325, a creditor or assignee of a beneficiary may not reach the interest of a beneficiary or a distribution by the trustee before the distribution is received by the beneficiary.

      (4) A settlement agreement entered into under ORS 130.045 is not, by itself, a transfer in violation of a valid spendthrift provision. [2005 c.348 §40; 2013 c.529 §7]

 

      130.310 UTC 503. Exceptions to spendthrift provisions. (1) As used in this section, “child” means any individual for whose benefit a judgment, court order or administrative order for child support has been entered in any state, country or other jurisdiction.

      (2) Even if a trust contains a spendthrift provision, the holder of a judgment, court order or administrative order against a beneficiary for support or maintenance of the beneficiary’s child, spouse or former spouse or a judgment creditor who has provided services for the protection of a beneficiary’s interest in the trust, may obtain an order from a court of this state authorizing garnishment or other execution against present or future distributions to or for the benefit of the beneficiary. The court may issue an order authorizing execution against such amount as the court determines to be equitable under the circumstances but not more than the amount the trustee is required to distribute to or for the benefit of the beneficiary. Distributions subject to execution under this subsection include distributions required by the express terms of the trust, such as mandatory payments of income, and distributions the trustee has otherwise decided to make, such as through the exercise of discretion.

      (3) A spendthrift provision is unenforceable against a claim of this state or the United States to the extent a statute of this state or federal law so provides. [2005 c.348 §41; 2013 c.529 §8]

 

      130.315 UTC 505. Creditor’s claim against settlor. (1) Whether or not the terms of a trust contain a spendthrift provision, except as provided in ORS 130.518:

      (a) During the lifetime of the settlor, the property of a revocable trust is subject to claims of the settlor’s creditors.

      (b) A creditor or assignee of the settlor of an irrevocable trust may reach the maximum amount that can be distributed to or for the settlor’s benefit. If an irrevocable trust has more than one settlor, the amount the creditor or assignee of a particular settlor may reach may not exceed the settlor’s interest in the portion of the trust attributable to that settlor’s contribution.

      (c) If a trust was revocable at the settlor’s death, the property of the trust becomes subject to creditors’ claims as provided in ORS 130.350 to 130.450 when the settlor dies. The payment of claims is subject to the settlor’s right to direct the priority of the sources from which liabilities of the settlor are to be paid.

      (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subsection, the assets of an irrevocable trust may not be subject to the claims of an existing or subsequent creditor or assignee of the settlor, in whole or in part, solely because of the existence of a discretionary power granted to the trustee by the terms of the trust or any other provision of law to pay the amount of tax owed directly to the taxing authorities or to reimburse the settlor for any tax on trust income or principal that is payable or has been paid by the settlor under the law imposing the tax.

      (2) For the purpose of creditors’ claims, the holder of a power of withdrawal is treated in the same manner as the settlor of a revocable trust to the extent property of the trust is subject to the power. The provisions of this subsection apply to the holder of a power of withdrawal only during the period that the power may be exercised.

      (3) Upon the lapse, release or waiver of a power of withdrawal, the property of the trust that is the subject of the lapse, release or waiver becomes subject to claims of creditors of the holder of the power only to the extent the value of the property exceeds the greatest of:

      (a) The amount specified in section 2041(b)(2) or 2514(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on December 31, 2012;

      (b) The amount specified in section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on December 31, 2012; or

      (c) Twice the amount specified in section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on December 31, 2012, if the donor was married at the time of the transfer to which the power of withdrawal applies.

      (4) The assets of an irrevocable trust that are attributable to a contribution to an inter vivos marital deduction trust described in section 2523(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on December 31, 2012, after the death of the spouse of the settlor of the inter vivos marital deduction trust shall be deemed to have been contributed by the settlor’s spouse and not by the settlor.

      (5) The assets of an irrevocable trust for the benefit of a person, including the settlor, are not subject to claims of creditors of the settlor to the extent that the property of the trust is subject to a presently exercisable general power of appointment held by a person other than the settlor.

      (6) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section do not apply to a person other than a settlor who is a beneficiary of a revocable or irrevocable trust and who is also a trustee of the trust, if the power to withdraw for the person’s own benefit is limited by an ascertainable standard. [2005 c.348 §42; 2013 c.529 §9; 2017 c.17 §5; 2021 c.272 §8]

 

      130.320 UTC 506. Overdue distribution. Whether or not a trust contains a spendthrift provision, a creditor or assignee of a beneficiary may reach a mandatory distribution of income or principal, including a distribution upon termination of the trust, if the trustee has not made the distribution to the beneficiary within a reasonable time after the designated distribution date. [2005 c.348 §43]

 

      130.325 UTC 507. Personal obligations of trustee. Trust property is not subject to personal obligations of the trustee, even if the trustee becomes insolvent or bankrupt. [2005 c.348 §44]

 

CLAIMS AGAINST TRUST BASED ON DEBTS OF SETTLOR

 

      130.350 Statute of limitations. (1) Claims against a trust described in subsection (2) of this section that are not presented within the time limitations established under ORS 130.360 or within the statute of limitations applicable to the claim, whichever is earlier, are barred from payment from the trust estate.

      (2) ORS 130.350 to 130.450 apply only if:

      (a) A claim is made against assets of a trust;

      (b) The trust came into existence during the settlor’s lifetime and was a revocable trust at any time after the trust was created and before the death of the settlor;

      (c) The claim is based on the debts or liabilities of the settlor; and

      (d) The claim is made against the assets of the trust after the death of the settlor.

      (3) ORS 130.350 to 130.450 apply to all claims against a trust described in subsection (2) of this section, without regard to whether the claims are contingent, unliquidated or not yet due. [Formerly 128.256]

 

      130.355 Commencement of proceeding. (1) At any time after the death of a settlor of a trust described in ORS 130.350 (2), a trustee of the trust may petition the probate court to determine the claims of creditors of the settlor. A petition under this section must include all of the following information to the extent known by the trustee:

      (a) The settlor’s name, the settlor’s date of birth, the settlor’s date and place of death and the last four digits of the settlor’s Social Security number.

      (b) The name of the trustee.

      (c) The address at which claims must be presented.

      (d) The name of the trust, if any, and the date of the trust, including the dates of any amendments.

      (e) The facts establishing venue in the county where the petition is being filed.

      (2) The clerk of the court shall charge and collect in advance from the trustee the filing fee required from a plaintiff under ORS 21.135.

      (3) A proceeding under this section may be brought only:

      (a) In the county where the settlor had domicile or a place of abode at the time of death;

      (b) In any county where assets of the trust were located at the time of death or are located at the time the proceeding is commenced; or

      (c) In the county where the settlor died.

      (4) The court has personal jurisdiction over a trustee that files a petition under this section, whether the trustee is a resident or nonresident of this state, for the purposes of any proceeding relating to the trust that may be instituted by an interested person. [Formerly 128.258; 2009 c.363 §1; 2010 c.107 §§43,44; 2011 c.595 §131]

 

      130.360 Limitation on presentation of claims when notice to claimants given. Not later than four months after a petition under ORS 130.355 is entered in the register of the court, the trustee of the trust shall give notice to persons with claims against the trust estate in the manner provided by ORS 130.365 and 130.370. All claims against the trust estate are barred unless those claims are submitted before the later of:

      (1) Four months after the date of first publication of notice to claimants in the manner provided by ORS 130.365; or

      (2) If the trustee delivers or mails a notice to a claimant under ORS 130.370, 30 days after a notice meeting the requirements of ORS 130.370 is delivered or mailed to the last-known address of the person having or asserting the claim. [Formerly 128.262]

 

      130.365 Publication of notice. After filing a petition under ORS 130.355, a trustee must cause a notice to claimants to be published once in each of three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the petition is filed. The notice must include:

      (1) The name of the settlor;

      (2) The name of the trustee and the address at which claims must be presented;

      (3) The date of the first publication of the notice; and

      (4) A statement that claims against the trust estate may be barred unless presented to the trustee at the address specified in the notice within four months after the date of the first publication of the notice. [Formerly 128.264]

 

      130.370 Notice to individual claimants. (1) Within three months after a petition is entered in the register of the court under ORS 130.355, or within such longer time as the court allows, a trustee must make reasonably diligent efforts to investigate the financial records and affairs of the settlor and to take such further actions as are reasonably necessary to ascertain the identity and address of each person who has or asserts a claim against the trust estate. The court shall allow the trustee as much time as requested by the trustee for the purpose of determining the claims against the trust estate. The trustee must thereafter cause to be delivered or mailed a notice containing the information required in subsection (2) of this section to the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority, or as otherwise provided by rule adopted by the authority, and to each person known by the trustee to have or to assert a claim against the trust estate. Notice under this section is not required for any claim that has already been presented, accepted or paid in full or on account of a claim that is merely conjectural.

      (2) The notice required by this section must include:

      (a) The name of the settlor and the last four digits of the settlor’s Social Security number;

      (b) The name of the trustee and the address at which claims must be presented;

      (c) A statement that claims against the trust estate that are not presented to the trustee within 30 days after the date of the notice may be barred;

      (d) The date of the notice, which shall be the date on which the notice is delivered or mailed; and

      (e) A certified copy of the settlor’s death record. [Formerly 128.266; 2009 c.363 §2; 2009 c.595 §90; 2011 c.720 §63; 2013 c.366 §63]

 

      130.375 Form of claim; evidence in support. (1) A claim presented under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 must:

      (a) Be in writing.

      (b) Describe the nature and the amount of the claim, if ascertainable.

      (c) State the name and address of the claimant and any attorney for the claimant.

      (2) A defect of form of a claim timely presented may be waived by the trustee or by the court.

      (3) Upon demand of a trustee, a claimant must produce any written evidence supporting a claim made under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 and account for any written evidence supporting a claim that is not produced. [Formerly 128.268]

 

      130.380 Claim based on debt due or judgment. (1) If a claim on a debt due is presented and allowed, allowance shall be in the amount of the debt remaining unpaid on the date of allowance.

      (2) If a judgment was entered on a claim prior to the death of the settlor, the claim shall be presented under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 in the same manner as if no judgment had been entered, and a copy of the judgment shall be attached to the claim. The claim may be disallowed only if the judgment was void or voidable, or if the judgment could have been set aside on the date of the settlor’s death, or if the claim is not presented within the time required by ORS 130.350. If the judgment was a lien against the property of the trust estate on the date of the settlor’s death, the judgment shall be treated as a claim on a debt due for which the creditor holds security. In all other respects, a claim that has been reduced to judgment shall have the same priority under ORS 130.425 as a claim that has not been reduced to judgment. [Formerly 128.272]

 

      130.385 Claim on debts not yet due. A claim on a debt not due, whether or not the creditor holds security for the claim, may be presented under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 as a claim on a debt due. If the claim is allowed, allowance shall be in an amount equal to the value of the debt on the date of allowance. The creditor, after allowance of the claim, may withdraw the claim without prejudice to other remedies. Payment on the basis of the amount allowed discharges the debt and the security, if any, held by the creditor for the claim. [Formerly 128.274]

 

      130.390 Claim on secured debt that is due. (1) A claim on a debt due for which the creditor holds security may be presented under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 as a claim on an unsecured debt due, or the creditor may elect to rely entirely on the security without presentation of the claim.

      (2) If the claim is presented under this section, the claim shall describe the security. If the security is an encumbrance that is recorded, the encumbrance may be described by reference to the book, page, date and place of recording.

      (3) If a claim is presented and allowed under this section, payment shall be on the basis of the amount of the debt remaining unpaid on the date that the claim is allowed.

      (4) If the creditor surrenders the security for a claim presented and allowed under this section, payment shall be on the basis of the amount allowed.

      (5)(a) If the creditor does not surrender the security for a claim presented and allowed under this section, and the creditor exhausts the security before receiving payment on the claim, payment shall be on the basis of the amount allowed less the amount realized on exhausting the security unless otherwise provided by law.

      (b) If the creditor does not surrender the security for a claim presented and allowed under this section, and the creditor does not exhaust the security before receiving payment or does not have the right to exhaust the security, payment shall be on the basis of the amount allowed less the value of the security determined by agreement or as the court may order.

      (6) The trustee may convey the secured property to the creditor in consideration of the satisfaction or partial satisfaction of the claim. [Formerly 128.276]

 

      130.395 Claim on contingent or unliquidated debt. (1) A claim on a contingent or unliquidated debt shall be presented under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 in the same manner as other claims. If the debt becomes absolute or liquidated before distribution of the trust estate, the claim shall be paid in the same manner as a claim on an absolute or liquidated debt.

      (2) If a contingent or unliquidated debt does not become absolute or liquidated before distribution of the trust estate, the trustee may provide for payment of the claim by any of the following methods:

      (a) The creditor and trustee may determine, by agreement, arbitration or compromise, the value of the debt and the claim may be allowed and paid in the same manner as a claim on an absolute or liquidated debt.

      (b) The trustee may distribute the trust estate, but retain sufficient funds to pay the claim if and when the debt becomes absolute or liquidated. Distribution of trust assets may not be delayed under this paragraph for more than two years after distribution would otherwise be required by the terms of the trust. If the debt does not become absolute or liquidated within that time, the funds retained, after payment therefrom of any expenses accruing during that time, shall be distributed to the beneficiaries.

      (3) A court may order the trustee to make distribution of the trust estate as though the claim did not exist.

      (4) If after distribution under subsection (2)(b) or (3) of this section the debt becomes absolute or liquidated, the beneficiaries are liable to the creditor to the extent of the trust estate received by them. Payment of the debt may be arranged by creating a trust, giving a mortgage, securing a bond from a distributee or by other method. [Formerly 128.278]

 

      130.400 Allowance and disallowance of claims. (1) The trustee may compromise a claim against the trust estate.

      (2) A claim presented to a trustee under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 shall be considered allowed as presented unless within 60 days after the date of presentment of the claim the trustee mails or delivers a notice of disallowance of the claim in whole or in part to the claimant and to the attorney of the claimant if the claimant has an attorney.

      (3) A notice of disallowance of a claim shall inform the claimant that the claim has been disallowed in whole or in part and, to the extent disallowed, will be barred unless the claimant requests a summary determination or brings an action in the manner provided by subsection (4) of this section.

      (4) If a trustee disallows a claim submitted under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 in whole or in part, the claimant, within 30 days after the date of mailing or delivery of the notice of disallowance, may:

      (a) File a request for summary determination of the claim in the probate court, with proof of service of a copy of the request upon the trustee or the attorney of the trustee; or

      (b) Commence a separate action against the trustee on the claim in the probate court.

      (5) If the claimant fails either to request a summary determination or commence a separate action as provided in subsection (4) of this section, the claim is barred to the extent the claim has been disallowed by the trustee.

      (6) If a claimant prevails in a proceeding or action under subsection (4) of this section, the claim shall be allowed or judgment entered in the full amount determined to be due to the claimant. The claim or judgment shall be paid from the assets of the trust estate only to the extent that funds are available after payment of other claims with higher priority under ORS 130.425.

      (7) If the claimant files a request for summary determination of a claim under subsection (4) of this section, the trustee may notify the claimant in writing that the claimant must commence a separate action against the trustee on the claim within 60 days after the claimant receives the notice. Notice under this subsection must be given by the trustee within 30 days after the request for summary determination is served on the trustee or the attorney of the trustee. If the claimant fails to commence a separate action within the time allowed, the claim is barred to the extent the claim has been disallowed by the trustee.

      (8) In a proceeding for summary determination under this section:

      (a) The trustee shall make response to the claim as though the claim were a complaint filed in an action.

      (b) The court shall hear the matter without a jury, after notice to the claimant and trustee. The court shall determine the claim in a summary manner, and shall make an order allowing or disallowing the claim in whole or in part.

      (c) No appeal may be taken from the order of the court made in a proceeding for summary determination under this section.

      (9) If a civil action is commenced under subsection (4) of this section, a trustee, or beneficiary, may petition the court to approve a proposed disposition of claims or to provide instructions on the treatment of claims.

      (10) A claimant filing a request for summary determination of a claim under subsection (4) of this section must pay the filing fee required of a defendant or respondent under ORS 21.135 and other fees applicable to civil actions in circuit court. [Formerly 128.280; 2009 c.275 §15; 2010 c.107 §§46,47; 2011 c.595 §133]

 

      130.405 Creditor may obtain order for payment. A creditor whose claim has been allowed or established by summary determination or separate action, and who has not received payment within six months after the date of the first publication of notice to interested persons, may apply to the court for an order directing the trustee to pay the claim. The trustee may recover amounts owing under the claim from any beneficiary who received a distribution from the trust estate. The right of recovery is limited to the extent the beneficiary’s distribution would have been reduced by timely payment of all allowed or established claims. [Formerly 128.282]

 

      130.410 Evidence required to allow court approval of claim disallowed by trustee. A claim that has been disallowed by a trustee under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 may not be allowed by any court except upon some competent, satisfactory evidence other than the testimony of the claimant. [Formerly 128.284]

 

      130.415 Waiver of statute of limitations. A claim subject to ORS 130.350 to 130.450 that is barred by a statute of limitations may not be allowed by the trustee or by any court except upon the written direction or consent of those interested persons who would be adversely affected by allowance of the claim. [Formerly 128.286]

 

      130.420 Tolling of statute of limitations on claim. If a claim is not barred by the statute of limitations on the date of death of the settlor, the claim is not barred by any statute of limitations until at least one year after the date of death. [Formerly 128.288]

 

      130.425 Priority of claims. (1) Claims allowed against the trust estate under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 must be paid by the trustee in the following order of priority:

      (a) Expenses of administering the trust estate.

      (b) Expenses of a plain and decent funeral and disposition of the remains of the settlor.

      (c) Debts and taxes with preference under federal law.

      (d) Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the settlor, including compensation of persons attending the settlor.

      (e) Taxes with preference under the laws of this state that are due and payable while possession of the trust estate of the settlor is retained by the trustee.

      (f) Debts owed employees of the settlor for labor performed within 90 days immediately preceding the date of death of the settlor.

      (g) Child support arrearages.

      (h) Claims of the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority for the net amount of public assistance, as defined in ORS 411.010, and for the net amount of medical assistance that may be recovered from an estate under ORS 416.350.

      (i) Claims of the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority for the care and maintenance of any settlor who was a patient at a state institution under ORS 179.610 to 179.770.

      (j) All other claims against the trust estate.

      (2) If the assets of the trust estate are insufficient to pay in full all expenses or claims of any one class specified in subsection (1) of this section, each expense or claim of that class shall be paid only in proportion to the amount thereof. [Formerly 128.290; 2009 c.595 §91; 2011 c.720 §64; 2013 c.688 §22]

 

      130.430 Applicability of time limitations to public bodies. Notwithstanding ORS 12.250, all statutes of limitations and other time limitations imposed under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 apply to actions brought in the name of the state, or brought in the name of any county or public corporation, and to actions brought for the benefit of the state or for the benefit of any county or public corporation. [Formerly 128.292]

 

      130.435 Applicability of time limitations to certain claims based on liens against property and liability of settlor or trustee. The statutes of limitations and time limitations provided by ORS 130.350 to 130.450 do not affect:

      (1) Any proceeding to enforce a mortgage, pledge or other lien upon property of the trust estate;

      (2) Any proceeding to quiet title or reform any instrument with respect to title to property; or

      (3) To the limits of the insurance protection only, any proceeding to establish liability of the settlor or the trustee for which the settlor or trustee is protected by liability insurance at the time the proceeding is commenced. [Formerly 128.294]

 

      130.440 Petition to close case. (1) Not earlier than four months after the publication of notice to claimants, or the date on which all claims against the trust estate have been resolved, whichever is later, a trustee that has filed a petition under ORS 130.355 must file a petition to close the case with a statement that all claims received by the trustee have been paid in full or otherwise resolved in the manner required by ORS 130.350 to 130.450. The trustee must attach to the petition an affidavit attesting to compliance with ORS 130.365 and 130.370. The trustee must attach to the affidavit a copy of the notice published under ORS 130.365 and a copy of any notice delivered or mailed under ORS 130.370. The affidavit must attest to the date on which each notice was delivered or mailed, and the name and address of the person to whom each notice was delivered or mailed.

      (2) Upon the filing of the petition to close the case in compliance with the provisions of this section, the court shall enter an order closing the case. [Formerly 128.296]

 

      130.445 Dismissal for want of prosecution. (1) If the trustee does not file a petition to close the case under ORS 130.440 within one year after filing a petition under ORS 130.355, the court clerk shall mail a notice to the trustee, or the attorney for the trustee if the trustee is represented by counsel, informing the trustee that a judgment of dismissal will be entered in the case for want of prosecution unless an application for a continuance is made to the court and good cause is shown within 60 days after the date of the notice. Good cause for a continuance includes the pendency of a separate action under ORS 130.400 (4).

      (2) If an application for a continuance is not made under this section, or the court fails to find good cause for a continuance, the court shall enter a judgment of dismissal of the proceeding without prejudice. The dismissal does not bar a claimant’s right to pursue claims against a trustee, and a claimant shall have the same rights as if the trustee filed no proceeding. [Formerly 128.298]

 

      130.450 Consolidation of proceedings. If the proceeding to determine claims against a deceased settlor is pending under ORS 130.350 to 130.450 at the same time as probate proceedings under ORS chapter 115, upon motion of any party or upon the court’s own motion, any of the courts conducting proceedings may:

      (1) Order a joint hearing or trial on the common claims;

      (2) Order that the proceedings be consolidated; or

      (3) Make orders concerning the proceedings to avoid unnecessary costs for delays. [Formerly 128.300]

 

REVOCABLE TRUSTS

 

      130.500 UTC 601. Revocable trusts generally. (1) A person who has capacity to make a will has capacity to create, amend, revoke or add property to a revocable trust, or to direct the actions of the trustee of a revocable trust.

      (2) A revocable trust remains a revocable trust for the purposes of ORS 130.520 to 130.575 even though the trust cannot be revoked because:

      (a) The settlor becomes financially incapable; or

      (b) An event occurs that by the terms of the trust prevents the revocation of the trust. [2005 c.348 §45; 2009 c.275 §16]

 

      130.505 UTC 602. Revocation or amendment of revocable trust. (1) Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide that the trust is irrevocable, the settlor of the trust may revoke or amend the trust.

      (2) Unless the trust expressly provides otherwise, if a revocable trust is created or funded by more than one settlor:

      (a) To the extent the trust consists of community property, the trust may be revoked by either spouse acting alone but may be amended only by joint action of both spouses;

      (b) To the extent the trust consists of property other than community property, each settlor may revoke or amend the trust as to the portion of the trust property attributable to that settlor’s contribution; and

      (c) Upon the revocation or amendment of the trust by fewer than all of the settlors, the trustee shall promptly notify the other settlors of the revocation or amendment.

      (3) The settlor may revoke or amend a revocable trust:

      (a) By substantial compliance with a method provided in the terms of the trust; or

      (b) If the terms of the trust do not provide a method, by any other method, except for execution of a will or codicil, manifesting clear and convincing evidence of the settlor’s intent.

      (4) Upon revocation of a revocable trust, the trustee shall deliver the trust property as the settlor directs.

      (5) A settlor’s powers with respect to revocation, amendment or distribution of trust property may be exercised by an agent or attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney only to the extent expressly authorized by the terms of the trust.

      (6) The settlor’s conservator, or the settlor’s guardian if a conservator has not been appointed for the settlor, may exercise a settlor’s powers with respect to revocation, amendment or distribution of trust property only with the approval of the court supervising the conservatorship or guardianship.

      (7) A trustee who does not know that a trust has been revoked or amended is not liable to the settlor or settlor’s successors in interest for distributions made and other actions taken on the assumption that the trust had not been amended or revoked. [2005 c.348 §46]

 

      Note: Section 47, chapter 348, Oregon Laws 2005, provides:

      Sec. 47. Section 46 (1) of this 2005 Act [130.505 (1)] does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before the effective date of this 2005 Act [January 1, 2006]. [2005 c.348 §47]

 

      130.510 UTC 603. Settlor’s powers; powers of withdrawal. (1) While the settlor of a revocable trust is alive, rights of the beneficiaries are subject to the control of the settlor, and the duties of the trustee are owed exclusively to the settlor. Beneficiaries other than the settlor have no right to receive notice, information or reports under this chapter.

      (2) The rights of the beneficiaries with respect to property that is subject to a power of withdrawal are subject to the control of the holder of the power during the period that the power may be exercised, and the duties of the trustee are owed exclusively to the holder of a power of withdrawal with respect to the property that is subject to the power. [2005 c.348 §48; 2009 c.275 §17]

 

      130.515 UTC 604. Limitation on action contesting validity of revocable trust; distribution of trust property. (1) A person must commence a judicial proceeding to contest the validity of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death in the manner prescribed by ORS 12.020 within the earlier of:

      (a) Three years after the settlor’s death; or

      (b) Four months after the trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the trustee’s name and address and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding.

      (2) Upon the death of the settlor of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death, the trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust. The trustee is not subject to liability for distribution of the property unless:

      (a) The trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust; or

      (b) Any person has notified the trustee in writing that the person might commence a judicial proceeding to contest the trust and a judicial proceeding is commenced by the person within 60 days after the person gives the notification.

      (3) If a trust is determined to be invalid, any beneficiary who received a distribution from the trust is liable to the person entitled to the distributed property for the amount or value of the distribution. [2005 c.348 §49]

 

RULES GOVERNING REVOCABLE TRUSTS

 

      130.518 Creditor protections retained upon conveyance of property held as tenants by the entirety to revocable trust. (1) Real property of spouses married to each other that was held as tenants by the entirety and subsequently conveyed to the trustee or trustees of the joint revocable trust of the spouses or of the separate revocable trust of each spouse shall have the same immunity from the claims of a spouse’s creditors as would exist if the spouses had continued to hold the property as tenants by the entirety, if:

      (a) The spouses remain married to each other;

      (b) The real property continues to be held in trust by the trustee or trustees or the successor trustee or trustees; and

      (c) Both spouses are beneficiaries of the trust or trusts, including where both spouses are current beneficiaries of one trust that holds the entire property or each spouse is a current beneficiary of a separate trust and the two separate trusts together hold the entire property, whether or not other persons are also current or future beneficiaries of the trust or trusts.

      (2) The protection from the claims of separate creditors under this section may be waived as to any specific creditor, including any separate creditor of either spouse, or any specifically described property, including any former tenancy by the entirety property conveyed into trust, by the trustee acting under the express provision of a trust instrument or with the written consent of both spouses. [2021 c.272 §7]

 

      Note: Section 12, chapter 272, Oregon Laws 2021, provides:

      Sec. 12. Section 7 of this 2021 Act [130.518] and the amendments to ORS 130.315 by section 8 of this 2021 Act apply to tenancy by the entirety property conveyed to a trustee or trustees of a trust or trusts on or after the effective date of this 2021 Act [January 1, 2022]. [2021 c.272 §12]

 

      Note: 130.518 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 130 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      130.520 “Specific distribution” defined for ORS 130.520 to 130.575. For the purposes of ORS 130.520 to 130.575, “specific distribution” means a distribution of specific property to a specific beneficiary that is required under the terms of a trust instrument. [Formerly 128.370]

 

      130.525 Applicability of ORS 130.530, 130.535 and 130.540 to 130.575. (1) ORS 130.530 and 130.535 apply only to a trust, or portion of a trust:

      (a) That comes into existence during the settlor’s lifetime; and

      (b) Is a revocable trust on the occurrence of any of the events described in ORS 130.530 or 130.535.

      (2) ORS 130.540 to 130.575 apply only to a trust, or a portion of a trust, that comes into existence during the settlor’s lifetime and that was a revocable trust at the time of the settlor’s death. [2005 c.348 §110; 2013 c.529 §10]

 

      130.530 Effect of marriage. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the trust instrument, a trust is not revoked by the marriage of the settlor after the trust instrument is executed. [Formerly 128.375]

 

      130.535 Revocation by divorce or annulment. (1) Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the trust instrument, a settlor’s divorce or the annulment of the settlor’s marriage, after the trust instrument is executed:

      (a) Revokes all provisions of the trust in favor of the former spouse of the settlor;

      (b) Revokes all powers of appointment, general or nongeneral, in the trust that are exercisable by the former spouse; and

      (c) Revokes any provision in the trust naming the former spouse as trustee.

      (2) Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the trust instrument, a trust shall be construed as though the former spouse predeceased the settlor if, after the trust instrument is executed, the settlor divorces the spouse or the marriage of the settlor to the spouse is annulled. [Formerly 128.378]

 

      130.540 Contract of sale of property not revocation. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the trust instrument, a contract of sale made by a trustee to convey property that is the subject of a specific distribution is not a revocation of the specific distribution. If all or part of the property that is the subject of the contract of sale has not been delivered at the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution, the property passes by the specific distribution but is subject to the terms of the contract of sale. [Formerly 128.380]

 

      130.545 Encumbrance or disposition of property after trust instrument executed. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the trust instrument:

      (1) A disposition of a portion of property that is subject to a specific distribution does not affect the operation of the trust upon the remaining portion of the property; and

      (2) If property subject to a specific distribution is encumbered, the property passes under the specific distribution but is subject to the encumbrance. [Formerly 128.382]

 

      130.550 When trust assets pass to descendants of beneficiary; class gifts. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the trust instrument, when property is to be distributed under the trust to any beneficiary who is related by blood or adoption to the settlor, and the beneficiary dies leaving lineal descendants either before the settlor dies or before the time set in the trust instrument for distribution, the descendants take by right of representation the property the beneficiary would have taken if the beneficiary had not died. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the trust instrument, this section applies to a beneficiary who is entitled to receive property under a class gift if the beneficiary dies after the trust instrument is executed. [Formerly 128.385]

 

      130.555 Children of settlors; pretermitted children. (1) As used in this section, “pretermitted child” means a child of a settlor who, after the execution of the trust instrument, is born or adopted during the lifetime of the settlor or is in gestation at the time of the settlor’s death, who is not acknowledged or mentioned, either by name or by class, in the trust instrument or in the settlor’s will, and who survives the settlor.

      (2) If a settlor has one or more children living when the settlor executes a trust instrument and no provision is made in the trust for any of those children, a pretermitted child is not entitled to any share of the trust estate.

      (3) If a settlor has one or more children living when the settlor executes a trust instrument and provision is made in the trust for any of those children, a pretermitted child is entitled to share in the trust estate as follows:

      (a) The pretermitted child may share only in the portion of the trust estate intended to benefit living children.

      (b) The share of each pretermitted child is equal to the total value of the portion of the trust estate intended to benefit the living children divided by the number of pretermitted children plus the number of living children for whom provision, other than nominal provision, is made in the trust.

      (c) To the extent possible, the interest of each pretermitted child in the trust estate shall be of the same character, whether equitable or legal, as the interest the settlor gave to the living children under the trust.

      (4) If a settlor has no child living when the settlor executes a trust instrument, the pretermitted children are entitled to the following share of the trust estate:

      (a) If the settlor dies leaving a surviving spouse and all pretermitted children are the issue of the surviving spouse, the pretermitted children are not entitled to any share of the trust estate.

      (b) If the settlor dies leaving a surviving spouse and not all pretermitted children are the issue of the surviving spouse, the pretermitted children, as a class, are entitled to one-half of the trust estate, with shares of the trust to be divided equally.

      (c) If the settlor dies without leaving a surviving spouse, the pretermitted children are entitled to the entire trust estate, with shares of the trust to be divided equally.

      (5) A pretermitted child may recover the share of the trust estate to which the child is entitled as follows:

      (a) If the pretermitted child is entitled to a share of the trust estate under subsection (3) of this section, the share must be recovered from the other children.

      (b) If the pretermitted child is entitled to a share of the trust estate under subsection (4) of this section, the share must be recovered from the beneficiaries on a pro rata basis, out of the portions of the trust estate passing to those persons under the trust.

      (c) In reducing the shares of the beneficiaries under this subsection, the character of the dispositive plan adopted by the settlor in the trust must be preserved to the extent possible. [Formerly 128.388; 2013 c.529 §11]

 

      130.560 Failure of specific distribution. (1) Subject to this section, a specific distribution does not fail by reason of the destruction, damage, sale, condemnation or change in form of the property that is the subject of the specific distribution unless:

      (a) The trust instrument provides that the specific distribution fails under the particular circumstances; or

      (b) The settlor, during the lifetime of the settlor, or the trustee gives property to the beneficiary of the specific distribution with the intent of satisfying the specific distribution.

      (2) If part of the property that is the subject of a specific distribution is destroyed, damaged, sold or condemned, the remaining interest in the property passes pursuant to the specific distribution. The part of the property that is destroyed, damaged, sold or condemned is subject to subsections (3) to (6) of this section if the property would have been adeemed under the common law had the property been subject to probate in the settlor’s estate.

      (3) If property that is the subject of a specific distribution is insured and the property is destroyed or damaged, the beneficiary of the specific distribution is entitled to receive the following amounts, less any amount expended or incurred by the settlor or trust estate in restoration or repair of the property:

      (a) Any insurance proceeds for the destroyed or damaged property unpaid at the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution; and

      (b) An amount equal to all insurance payments paid to the settlor, and such proceeds or awards paid to the trustee for the destroyed or damaged property, during the six-month period immediately preceding the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution.

      (4) If property that is the subject of a specific distribution is sold by the settlor or the trustee, the beneficiary of the specific distribution is entitled to receive:

      (a) Any balance of the purchase price unpaid at the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution, including any security interest in the property and interest accruing before the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution; and

      (b) An amount equal to all payments paid to the settlor or the trustee for the property during the six-month period immediately preceding the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution. Acceptance of a promissory note of the purchaser or a third party is not considered payment under this paragraph, but payment on the note is payment on the purchase price.

      (5) If property that is the subject of a specific distribution is taken by condemnation before the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution, the beneficiary of the specific distribution is entitled to receive:

      (a) Any amount of the condemnation award unpaid at the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution; and

      (b) An amount equal to the sums paid under the condemnation award to the settlor or the trustee during the six-month period immediately preceding the time set in the trust instrument for the specific distribution.

      (6) If securities as defined in ORS 59.015 are the subject of a specific distribution, and after the execution of the trust instrument other securities of the same or another entity are distributed to the trustee or trust estate by reason of a partial liquidation, stock dividend, stock split, merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, redemption, exchange or any other similar transaction, the specific distribution includes the additional or substituted securities.

      (7) The amount that a beneficiary of a specific distribution receives under this section must be reduced by any expenses of the sale or of the collection of the proceeds of insurance, sale or condemnation award and by any amount by which income is increased by reasons of items provided for in this section. Expenses subject to this subsection include attorney fees. [Formerly 128.390]

 

      130.565 Effect of failure of specific distribution. If a specific distribution, other than a specific distribution that governs the residue of the trust estate, fails for any reason, the property that is the subject of the specific distribution becomes part of the residue and must be distributed as provided by the terms of the trust instrument for the residue. [Formerly 128.392]

 

      130.570 Advancement against share of trust. Property that the settlor gives during the settlor’s lifetime to a beneficiary of the trust is an advancement against the beneficiary’s share of the trust only if either the settlor makes a written statement that the property constitutes an advancement or the beneficiary makes a written statement acknowledging that the property constitutes an advancement. For purposes of applying the property against the beneficiary’s share of the trust, the property must be valued as of the time the beneficiary takes possession or enjoyment of the property, or as of the time of death of the settlor, whichever occurs first. [Formerly 128.395]

 

      130.575 Effect of advancement on distribution. (1) If the value of an advancement made to a beneficiary under ORS 130.570 exceeds the beneficiary’s share in the trust estate, the beneficiary shall be excluded from any further share of the trust estate, but the beneficiary is not required to refund any part of the advancement. If the value of the beneficiary’s share in the trust estate is greater than the value of all property received as advancements, the beneficiary is entitled to receive from the trust estate the balance of the share owing to the beneficiary after deducting all amounts received as advancements.

      (2) For the purpose of determining the shares of the beneficiaries of either a residuary gift or a class gift under a trust, the value of all advancements made by the settlor to beneficiaries of such gift shall be added to the value of the total property distributed pursuant to the gift, the sum then divided among all beneficiaries of the gift, and the value of the advancement then deducted from the share of the beneficiary to whom the advancement was made. [Formerly 128.397]

 

OFFICE OF TRUSTEE

 

      130.600 UTC 701. Acceptance or rejection of trusteeship. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) or (4) of this section, a person designated as trustee accepts the trusteeship:

      (a) By substantially complying with a method of acceptance provided in the terms of the trust; or

      (b) If the terms of the trust do not provide a method of acceptance, or the method provided in the terms of the trust is not expressly made exclusive, by knowingly accepting delivery of the trust property, knowingly exercising powers or performing duties as trustee, or otherwise indicating acceptance of the trusteeship.

      (2) A person designated as trustee who has not yet accepted the trusteeship may reject the trusteeship. A designated trustee who does not accept the trusteeship within a reasonable time after knowing of the designation is deemed to have rejected the trusteeship.

      (3) A person designated as trustee may act to preserve the trust property without accepting the trusteeship. The person must send a rejection of the trusteeship to the settlor within a reasonable time after taking the action. If the settlor is dead or is financially incapable, the person must send the rejection to a qualified beneficiary within a reasonable time after taking the action.

      (4) A person designated as trustee may inspect or investigate trust property to determine potential liability under environmental or other law, or for any other purpose, without accepting the trusteeship. [2005 c.348 §50]

 

      130.605 UTC 702. Trustee’s bond. (1) A trustee shall acquire a bond to secure performance of the trustee’s duties only if a bond is required by the terms of the trust or if a court finds that a bond is needed to protect the interests of the beneficiaries. A court may waive a bond required by the terms of a trust if the court finds that a bond is not needed to protect the interests of the beneficiaries.

      (2) The court may specify the amount and terms of a bond. The court may modify or terminate any requirement for a bond at any time.

      (3) A trust company as defined in ORS 706.008 need not give a bond, even if required by the terms of the trust. [2005 c.348 §51]

 

      130.610 UTC 703. Cotrustees. (1) Cotrustees who are unable to reach a unanimous decision may act by majority decision.

      (2) If a vacancy occurs in a cotrusteeship, the remaining cotrustee or cotrustees may act for the trust.

      (3) A cotrustee must participate in the performance of a trustee’s function unless:

      (a) The cotrustee is unavailable to perform the function because of absence, illness or disqualification under other law;

      (b) The cotrustee is unavailable to perform the function because the cotrustee is temporarily financially incapable; or

      (c) The cotrustee has delegated the performance of the function to another trustee pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.

      (4) If a cotrustee is unavailable to perform duties because of absence, illness, disqualification under other law or temporary financial incapability, and prompt action is necessary to achieve the purposes of the trust or to avoid injury to the trust property, the remaining cotrustee or a majority of the remaining cotrustees may act for the trust.

      (5) Except as prohibited in the terms of the trust, a cotrustee may delegate the performance of a function to another cotrustee, and the other cotrustee may accept the delegation of the performance of the function. The delegation and the acceptance must be in writing. A delegation shall remain in effect until it terminates by its terms, is revoked in writing by the cotrustee making the delegation or is terminated in writing by the cotrustee accepting the delegation.

      (6) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (7) of this section, a cotrustee who does not join in an action of another cotrustee is not liable for the action.

      (7) Each cotrustee shall exercise reasonable care to:

      (a) Prevent a cotrustee from committing a serious breach of trust; and

      (b) Compel a cotrustee to redress a serious breach of trust.

      (8) A dissenting cotrustee who joins in an action at the direction of the majority of the cotrustees and who notified any cotrustee of the dissent at or before the time of the action is not liable for the action unless the action is a serious breach of trust. [2005 c.348 §52; 2013 c.529 §12]

 

      130.615 UTC 704. Vacancy in trusteeship; appointment of successor. (1) A vacancy in a trusteeship occurs if:

      (a) A person designated as trustee rejects the trusteeship;

      (b) A person designated as trustee cannot be identified, cannot be located or does not exist;

      (c) A trustee resigns;

      (d) A trustee is disqualified or removed;

      (e) A trustee dies; or

      (f) A guardian or conservator is appointed for an individual serving as trustee.

      (2) If one or more cotrustees remain in office, a vacancy in a trusteeship need not be filled. A vacancy in a trusteeship must be filled if the trust has no remaining trustee.

      (3) A vacancy in a trusteeship of a noncharitable trust that is required to be filled must be filled in the following order of priority:

      (a) By a person designated in the terms of the trust to act as successor trustee;

      (b) By a person appointed by unanimous agreement of the qualified beneficiaries; or

      (c) By a person appointed by the court.

      (4) A vacancy in a trusteeship of a charitable trust that is required to be filled must be filled in the following order of priority:

      (a) By a person designated in the terms of the trust to act as successor trustee;

      (b) By a person appointed by unanimous agreement of all qualified beneficiaries and the Attorney General; or

      (c) By a person appointed by the court.

      (5) Whether or not a vacancy in a trusteeship exists or is required to be filled, the court may appoint an additional trustee or special fiduciary whenever the court considers the appointment necessary for the administration of the trust. [2005 c.348 §53; 2013 c.529 §13]

 

      130.620 UTC 705. Resignation of trustee. (1) A trustee may resign:

      (a) After at least 30 days’ notice to the qualified beneficiaries, the settlor, if living, and all cotrustees; or

      (b) At any time with the approval of a court.

      (2) If a court approves a resignation, the court may issue orders and impose conditions reasonably necessary for the protection of the trust property.

      (3) Any liability of a resigning trustee or of any sureties on the trustee’s bond for acts or omissions of the trustee is not discharged or affected by the trustee’s resignation. [2005 c.348 §54]

 

      130.625 UTC 706. Removal of trustee. (1) The settlor, a cotrustee or a beneficiary may request that a court remove a trustee, or a trustee may be removed by a court on its own motion.

      (2) A court may remove a trustee if the court finds:

      (a) The trustee has committed a serious breach of trust;

      (b) Lack of cooperation among cotrustees substantially impairs the administration of the trust;

      (c) Removal of the trustee best serves the interests of the beneficiaries because the trustee is unfit or unwilling, or has persistently failed to administer the trust effectively; or

      (d) Removal of the trustee best serves the interests of all of the beneficiaries and:

      (A) There has been a substantial change of circumstances or removal has been requested by all of the qualified beneficiaries;

      (B) A suitable cotrustee or successor trustee is available; and

      (C) The trustee fails to establish by clear and convincing evidence that removal is inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust.

      (3) Pending a final decision on a request to remove a trustee, or in lieu of or in addition to removing a trustee, the court may order such appropriate relief under ORS 130.800 (2) as may be necessary to protect the trust property or the interests of the beneficiaries. [2005 c.348 §55; 2013 c.529 §14]

 

      130.630 UTC 707. Delivery of property by former trustee; report. (1) Unless a cotrustee remains in office or the court otherwise orders, a trustee who has resigned or been removed has the duties of a trustee and the powers necessary to protect the trust property until the trust property is delivered to a successor trustee or other person who is entitled to the property.

      (2) A trustee who has resigned or been removed shall proceed expeditiously to deliver any trust property in the trustee’s possession to the cotrustee, successor trustee or other person who is entitled to the property.

      (3) A successor trustee or the court may require a trustee that has resigned or been removed to send a report as provided in ORS 130.710 (3). Reasonable compensation for preparation of the report, and reasonable fees and costs incurred in the preparation and distribution of the report, shall be paid by the trust. [2005 c.348 §56; 2013 c.529 §15]

 

      130.635 UTC 708. Compensation of trustee. (1) If the terms of a trust do not specify the trustee’s compensation, a trustee is entitled to compensation that is reasonable under the circumstances.

      (2) If the terms of a trust specify the trustee’s compensation, the trustee is entitled to be compensated as specified, but the court may allow more or less compensation if:

      (a) The duties of the trustee are substantially different from those contemplated when the trust was created; or

      (b) The compensation specified by the terms of the trust would be unreasonably low or high.

      (3) If more than one trustee is serving and the terms of the trust do not specify the trustees’ compensation, the compensation paid to all trustees under this section shall be based on the total services provided by all trustees.

      (4) If the terms of a trust do not specify the trustee’s compensation, the fees paid to third parties, including but not limited to financial advisors, who perform trustee functions must be taken into account in determining reasonable trustee compensation under this section. [2005 c.348 §57; 2013 c.529 §16]

 

      130.640 UTC 709. Reimbursement of expenses. (1) A trustee is entitled to be reimbursed out of the trust property, with reasonable interest if appropriate, for:

      (a) Expenses that were properly incurred in the administration of the trust; and

      (b) To the extent necessary to prevent unjust enrichment of the trust, expenses that were not properly incurred in the administration of the trust.

      (2) A trustee is entitled to be reimbursed out of the trust property or from property that has been distributed from the trust, with reasonable interest, for an advance of money made by the trustee for the protection of the trust. [2005 c.348 §58]

 

DUTIES AND POWERS OF TRUSTEE

 

      130.650 UTC 801. Duty to administer trust. (1) Upon acceptance of a trusteeship, the trustee shall administer the trust in good faith, in accordance with its terms and purposes and the interests of the beneficiaries, and in accordance with this chapter.

      (2) A trustee is not required to object to a modification, reformation or termination of the trust under ORS 130.045, 130.200, 130.205, 130.210, 130.215, 130.220 or 130.225, or a trust combination or division under ORS 130.230, solely because of the existence of the duty to administer the trust under subsection (1) of this section or the duty of loyalty under ORS 130.655 (1). [2005 c.348 §59; 2013 c.529 §17]

 

      130.655 UTC 802. Duty of loyalty. (1) A trustee shall administer the trust solely in the interests of the beneficiaries.

      (2) Subject to the rights of persons dealing with or assisting the trustee as provided in ORS 130.855, a sale, encumbrance or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the trustee’s own personal account or that is otherwise affected by a conflict between the trustee’s fiduciary and personal interests is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the transaction unless:

      (a) The transaction was authorized by the terms of the trust;

      (b) The transaction was approved by a court;

      (c) The beneficiary did not commence a judicial proceeding within the time allowed by ORS 130.820;

      (d) The beneficiary consented to the trustee’s conduct, ratified the transaction or released the trustee in the manner provided by ORS 130.840; or

      (e) The transaction involves a contract entered into or claim acquired by the trustee before the person became or contemplated becoming trustee.

      (3) A sale, encumbrance or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property is presumed to be affected by a conflict between the personal and fiduciary interests of the trustee if it is entered into by the trustee with:

      (a) The trustee’s spouse;

      (b) The trustee’s descendants, siblings or parents, or their spouses;

      (c) An agent or attorney of the trustee; or

      (d) A corporation or other person or enterprise in which the trustee, or a person that owns a significant interest in the trustee, has an interest that might affect the trustee’s best judgment.

      (4) Unless a trustee can establish that the transaction was fair to the beneficiary, a transaction between a trustee and a beneficiary is voidable by the beneficiary if:

      (a) The transaction does not concern trust property;

      (b) The trustee obtains an advantage from the transaction;

      (c) The transaction is outside the ordinary course of the trustee’s business or on terms and conditions substantially less favorable than those the trustee offers similarly situated customers; and

      (d) The transaction occurs during the existence of the trust or while the trustee retains significant influence over the beneficiary.

      (5) A transaction not concerning trust property in which the trustee engages in the trustee’s individual capacity involves a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the transaction concerns an opportunity properly belonging to the trust.

      (6) An investment by a trustee in securities of an investment company or an investment trust to which the trustee, or an affiliate of the trustee, provides services in a capacity other than as trustee is not presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the investment otherwise complies with the prudent investor rule of ORS 130.750 to 130.775. In addition to compensation for acting as trustee, the trustee may be compensated by the investment company or investment trust for providing those services out of fees charged to the trust. If the trustee receives compensation from the investment company or investment trust for providing investment advisory or investment management services, the trustee at least annually shall give notice of the rate and method by which that compensation was determined to the persons entitled under ORS 130.710 to receive a copy of the trustee’s annual report.

      (7) In voting shares of stock of a corporation or in exercising powers of control over similar interests in corporations and other forms of business entities, the trustee shall act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If the trust is an owner of a corporation or other form of business entity, the trustee shall elect or appoint directors or other managers who will manage the corporation or entity in the best interests of the beneficiaries.

      (8) This section does not preclude the following transactions, if fair to the beneficiaries:

      (a) An agreement between a trustee and a beneficiary relating to the appointment or compensation of the trustee;

      (b) Payment of reasonable compensation to the trustee;

      (c) A transaction between a trust and another trust, decedent’s estate, custodianship or conservatorship of which the trustee is a fiduciary or in which a beneficiary has an interest;

      (d) A deposit of trust money in a financial institution operated by the trustee;

      (e) An advance by the trustee of money for the protection of the trust;

      (f) An advance by the trustee of money to the trust for the payment of expenses, losses or liabilities sustained by the trustee in the administration of the trust or by reason of owning or possessing any trust assets; or

      (g) A loan to the trustee for the protection of the trust, or for the payment of expenses, losses or liabilities sustained by the trustee in the administration of the trust or by reason of owning or possessing any trust assets. A loan under this paragraph may be from a lender operated by, or affiliated with, the trustee.

      (9) A trustee is not required to object to a modification, reformation or termination of the trust under ORS 130.045, 130.200, 130.205, 130.210, 130.215, 130.220 or 130.225, or a trust combination or division under ORS 130.230, solely because of the existence of the duty of loyalty under subsection (1) of this section or the duty to administer the trust under ORS 130.650 (1).

      (10) The court may appoint a special fiduciary to make a decision with respect to any proposed transaction that might violate this section if entered into by the trustee. [2005 c.348 §60; 2007 c.515 §2; 2013 c.529 §18; 2017 c.81 §3]

 

      Note: Section 4, chapter 81, Oregon Laws 2017, provides:

      Sec. 4. The amendments to ORS 130.655 by section 3 of this 2017 Act apply only to transactions occurring on or after the effective date of this 2017 Act [January 1, 2018]. [2017 c.81 §4]

 

      130.660 UTC 803. Impartiality. If a trust has two or more beneficiaries, the trustee shall act impartially in investing, managing and distributing the trust property, giving due regard to the beneficiaries’ respective interests. [2005 c.348 §61]

 

      130.665 UTC 804. Prudent administration. A trustee shall administer the trust as a prudent person would, by considering the purposes, terms, distributional requirements and other circumstances of the trust. In satisfying this standard, the trustee shall exercise reasonable care, skill and caution. [2005 c.348 §62]

 

      130.670 UTC 805. Costs of administration. In administering a trust, the trustee may incur only costs that are reasonable in relation to the trust property, the purposes of the trust and the skills of the trustee. [2005 c.348 §63]

 

      130.675 UTC 806. Trustee’s skills. A trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is named trustee in reliance upon the trustee’s representation that the trustee has special skills or expertise, shall use those special skills or expertise in administering the trust. [2005 c.348 §64]

 

      130.680 UTC 807. Delegation by trustee. (1) A trustee may delegate duties and powers that a prudent trustee of comparable skills could properly delegate under the circumstances. The trustee shall exercise reasonable care, skill and caution in:

      (a) Selecting an agent;

      (b) Establishing the scope and terms of the delegation, consistent with the purposes and terms of the trust; and

      (c) Periodically reviewing the agent’s actions in order to monitor the agent’s performance and compliance with the terms of the delegation.

      (2) In performing a delegated function, an agent owes a duty to the trust to exercise reasonable care to comply with the terms of the delegation.

      (3) A trustee who complies with subsection (1) of this section is not liable to the beneficiaries or to the trust for an action of the agent.

      (4) By accepting a delegation of powers or duties from the trustee of a trust that is subject to this state’s law, an agent submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state. [2005 c.348 §65]

 

      130.685 UTC 808. Powers to direct. (1) While a trust is revocable, the trustee may follow a direction of the settlor that is contrary to the terms of the trust.

      (2) If the terms of a trust confer upon a person other than the settlor of a revocable trust power to direct certain actions of the trustee, the trustee shall act in accordance with an exercise of the power unless the exercise is manifestly contrary to the terms of the trust or the trustee knows the attempted exercise would constitute a serious breach of a fiduciary duty that the person holding the power owes to the beneficiaries of the trust.

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

      (4) A person other than a beneficiary who holds a power to direct is rebuttably presumed to be a fiduciary and is required to act in good faith with regard to the purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. The holder of a power to direct is liable for any loss that results from breach of a fiduciary duty. [2005 c.348 §66]

 

      130.690 UTC 809. Control and protection of trust property. A trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property. [2005 c.348 §67]

 

      130.695 UTC 810. Recordkeeping and identification of trust property. (1) A trustee shall keep adequate records of the administration of the trust.

      (2) A trustee shall keep trust property separate from the trustee’s own property.

      (3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, a trustee shall cause the trust property to be designated so that the interest of the trust, to the extent feasible, appears in records maintained by a party other than a trustee or beneficiary.

      (4) If the trustee maintains records clearly indicating the respective interests of the different trusts, a trustee may invest as a whole the property of two or more separate trusts. [2005 c.348 §68]

 

      130.700 UTC 811. Enforcement and defense of claims. A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims of the trust and to defend claims against the trust. [2005 c.348 §69]

 

      130.705 UTC 812. Collecting trust property. A trustee shall take reasonable steps to compel a former trustee or other person to deliver trust property to the trustee, and to remedy a breach of trust known to the trustee to have been committed by a former trustee. [2005 c.348 §70]

 

      130.710 UTC 813. Duty to inform and report. (1) A trustee shall keep the qualified beneficiaries of the trust reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for those beneficiaries to protect their interests. If reasonable under the circumstances, a trustee may respond to a request for information related to the administration of the trust from a beneficiary who is not a qualified beneficiary.

      (2)(a) Upon request of a qualified beneficiary, a trustee shall promptly furnish to the qualified beneficiary a copy of the trust instrument.

      (b) Within a reasonable time after accepting a trusteeship, a trustee shall notify all qualified beneficiaries of the acceptance and of the trustee’s name, address and telephone number.

      (c) Except as provided in subsection (10) of this section, within a reasonable time after the date the trustee acquires knowledge of the creation of an irrevocable trust, or the date the trustee acquires knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, whether by the death of the settlor or otherwise, the trustee shall notify the qualified beneficiaries of the trust’s existence, of the identity of the settlor or settlors, of the right to request a copy of the trust instrument and of the right to a trustee’s report as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

      (d) A trustee shall notify the qualified beneficiaries in advance of any change in the method or rate of the trustee’s compensation.

      (3)(a) Except as provided in subsection (10) of this section, a trustee shall send a trustee report, at least annually and upon termination of the trust, to the permissible distributees of trust income or principal and to other qualified beneficiaries who request the report. The report must include a listing of trust property and liabilities, and must show the market values of trust assets, if feasible. The report must reflect all receipts and disbursements of the trust, including the source and amount of the trustee’s compensation.

      (b) Upon a vacancy in a trusteeship, unless a cotrustee remains in office, and if required by the successor trustee or the court, the former trustee shall send a trustee report for the period from the prior report, if any, through the time of vacancy to the qualified beneficiaries of the trust.

      (c) A personal representative, conservator or guardian may send the qualified beneficiaries a trustee report on behalf of a deceased or financially incapable trustee.

      (4) A qualified beneficiary may waive the right to a trustee report or other information otherwise required to be furnished under this section. A qualified beneficiary may withdraw a waiver at any time for the purpose of future reports and other information.

      (5) A trustee may charge a reasonable fee to a beneficiary for providing information under this section.

      (6) A beneficiary’s request for any information under this section must be with respect to a single trust that is sufficiently identified to enable the trustee to locate the trust’s records.

      (7) If the trustee is bound by any confidentiality restrictions regarding a trust asset, any beneficiary eligible under this section to receive information about that asset must agree to be bound by the same confidentiality restrictions before receiving the information.

      (8) Despite any other provision of this section, information, notice and reports required by this section shall be given only to the settlor’s spouse if:

      (a) The spouse survives the settlor;

      (b) The spouse is financially capable;

      (c) The spouse is the only permissible distributee of the trust; and

      (d) All of the other qualified beneficiaries of the trust are descendants of the spouse.

      (9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, while the settlor of a revocable trust is alive, beneficiaries other than the settlor have no right to receive notice, information or reports under this section.

      (10) A trustee need not provide a qualified beneficiary with the notice of the right to a trustee’s report under subsection (2)(c) of this section, and need not send trustee reports to the beneficiary under subsection (3) of this section, until six months after a revocable trust becomes irrevocable if the beneficiary’s only interest in the trust is a distribution of a specific item of property or distribution of a specific amount of money. The trustee must provide the notice of the right to a trustee’s report required by subsection (2)(c) of this section at the end of the six-month period if the beneficiary has not received distribution of the specific item of property or specific amount of money before the end of the period. If notice is provided to a qualified beneficiary under this subsection, the trustee must thereafter send trustee reports to the beneficiary until distribution of the specific item of property or specific amount of money. [2005 c.348 §71; 2009 c.275 §18; 2013 c.529 §19]

 

      Note: Section 72, chapter 348, Oregon Laws 2005, provides:

      Sec. 72. (1) Section 71 (2)(b) of this 2005 Act [130.710 (2)(b)] applies only to a trustee who accepts a trusteeship on or after the effective date of this 2005 Act [January 1, 2006].

      (2) Section 71 (2)(c) of this 2005 Act [130.710 (2)(c)] applies only to irrevocable trusts created on or after the effective date of this 2005 Act and to revocable trusts that become irrevocable on or after the effective date of this 2005 Act. [2005 c.348 §72]

 

      Note: Section 19, chapter 275, Oregon Laws 2009, provides:

      Sec. 19. The amendments to ORS 130.710 by section 18 of this 2009 Act apply only to revocable trusts that become irrevocable on or after the effective date of this 2009 Act [January 1, 2010]. [2009 c.275 §19]

 

      130.715 UTC 814. Discretionary powers; tax savings; inclusion of capital gains in income. (1) A trustee shall exercise a discretionary power in good faith and in a manner that is in accordance with the terms and purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. The duty imposed by this subsection is not affected by the grant of discretion in the terms of the trust, even though the terms of the trust provide that the trustee has absolute, sole or uncontrolled discretion or use other words purporting to convey broad discretion.

      (2) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, and unless the terms of the trust expressly provide otherwise:

      (a) A person other than a settlor who is a beneficiary and trustee of a trust that confers on the trustee a power to make discretionary distributions to or for the trustee’s personal benefit may exercise the power only in accordance with an ascertainable standard; and

      (b) A trustee may not exercise a power to make discretionary distributions to satisfy a legal obligation of support that the trustee personally owes another person.

      (3) A power the exercise of which is limited or prohibited by subsection (2) of this section may be exercised by a majority of the remaining trustees whose exercise of the power is not so limited or prohibited. If the power of all trustees is so limited or prohibited, the court may appoint a special fiduciary with authority to exercise the power.

      (4) Subsection (2) of this section does not apply to:

      (a) A power held by the settlor’s spouse who is the trustee of a trust for which a marital deduction, as described in section 2056(b)(5) or 2523(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2006, was previously allowed;

      (b) Any trust during any period that the trust may be revoked or amended by its settlor; or

      (c) A trust if contributions to the trust qualify for the annual exclusion under section 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect on January 1, 2006.

      (5) Unless otherwise provided by the trust, a trustee may include capital gains from the sale or exchange of capital assets in distributable net income to the extent that the gains are, in a reasonable and impartial exercise of discretion by the trustee:

      (a) Allocated to income pursuant to the trustee’s power to adjust between principal and income under ORS 129.215;

      (b) Allocated to principal and treated consistently by the trustee on the trust’s books, records and tax returns as part of a distribution to a beneficiary; or

      (c) Allocated to principal but actually distributed to a beneficiary or utilized by the trustee in determining the amount that is distributed or required to be distributed to a beneficiary. [2005 c.348 §73; 2015 c.126 §3]

 

      Note: See note under 130.230.

 

      130.720 UTC 815. General powers of trustee. (1) A trustee, without authorization by the court, may exercise powers conferred by the terms of the trust and, except as limited by the terms of the trust:

      (a) All powers over the trust property that an unmarried financially capable owner has over individually owned property;

      (b) Any other powers appropriate to achieve the proper investment, management and distribution of the trust property; and

      (c) Any other powers conferred by this chapter.

      (2) The exercise of a power is subject to the fiduciary duties prescribed by ORS 130.650 to 130.730. [2005 c.348 §74]

 

      130.725 UTC 816. Specific powers of trustee. Without limiting the authority conferred by ORS 130.720, a trustee may do any of the following:

      (1) Collect trust property and accept or reject additions to the trust property from a settlor or any other person.

      (2) Acquire or sell property, for cash or on credit, at public or private sale.

      (3) Exchange, partition or otherwise change the character of trust property.

      (4) Deposit trust money in an account in a financial institution, including a financial institution operated by the trustee, if the deposit is adequately insured or secured.

      (5) Borrow money, with or without security, to be repaid from trust assets or otherwise, and advance money for the protection of the trust and for all expenses, losses and liabilities sustained in the administration of the trust or because of the holding or ownership of any trust assets. Money may be borrowed under this subsection from any lender, including a financial institution operated by or affiliated with the trustee. A trustee is entitled to be reimbursed out of the trust property or from property that has been distributed from the trust, with reasonable interest, for an advance of money under this subsection.

      (6) Continue operation of any proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation or other form of business or enterprise in which the trust has an interest, and take any action that may be taken by shareholders, members or property owners, including merging, dissolving or otherwise changing the form of business organization or contributing additional capital.

      (7) Exercise the rights of an absolute owner of stocks and other securities, including the right to:

      (a) Vote, or give proxies to vote, with or without power of substitution, or enter into or continue a voting trust agreement;

      (b) Hold a security in the name of a nominee or in other form without disclosure of the trust so that title may pass by delivery;

      (c) Pay calls, assessments and other sums chargeable or accruing against the securities, and sell or exercise stock subscription or conversion rights; and

      (d) Deposit the securities with a depository or other financial institution.

      (8) Construct, repair, alter or otherwise improve buildings or other structures on real property in which the trust has an interest, demolish improvements, raze existing or erect new party walls or buildings on real property in which the trust has an interest, subdivide or develop land, dedicate land to public use or grant public or private easements, and make or vacate plats and adjust boundaries.

      (9) Enter into a lease for any purpose as lessor or lessee, including a lease or other arrangement for exploration and removal of natural resources, with or without the option to purchase or renew, even though the period of the lease extends beyond the duration of the trust.

      (10) Grant an option involving a sale, lease or other disposition of trust property or acquire an option for the acquisition of property, even though the option is exercisable after the trust is terminated, and exercise an option so acquired.

      (11) Insure the property of the trust against damage or loss and insure the trustee, the trustee’s agents, and beneficiaries against liability arising from the administration of the trust.

      (12) Abandon or decline to administer property of no value or property of a value that is not adequate to justify its collection or continued administration.

      (13) Avoid possible liability for violation of environmental law by:

      (a) Inspecting or investigating property the trustee holds or has been asked to hold, or property owned or operated by an organization in which the trustee holds or has been asked to hold an interest, for the purpose of determining the application of environmental law with respect to the property;

      (b) Taking action to prevent, abate or otherwise remedy any actual or potential violation of any environmental law affecting property held directly or indirectly by the trustee, whether taken before or after the assertion of a claim or the initiation of governmental enforcement;

      (c) Declining to accept property into trust or disclaiming any power with respect to property that is or may be burdened with liability for violation of environmental law;

      (d) Compromising claims against the trust that may be asserted for an alleged violation of environmental law; and

      (e) Paying the expense of any inspection, review, abatement or remedial action to comply with environmental law.

      (14) Pay or contest any claim, settle a claim by or against the trust, and release, in whole or in part, a claim belonging to the trust.

      (15) Pay taxes, assessments, compensation of the trustee and of employees and agents of the trust, and other expenses incurred in the administration of the trust.

      (16) Exercise elections available under federal, state and local tax laws.

      (17) Select a mode of payment under any employee benefit or retirement plan, annuity or life insurance payable to the trustee, exercise rights under employee benefit or retirement plans, annuities or policies of life insurance, including exercise of the right to indemnification for expenses and against liabilities, and take appropriate action to collect the proceeds.

      (18) Make loans out of trust property. The trustee may make a loan to a beneficiary on terms and conditions the trustee considers to be fair and reasonable under the circumstances. The trustee may collect loans made to a beneficiary by making deductions from future distributions to the beneficiary.

      (19) Pledge trust property to guarantee loans made by others to the beneficiary.

      (20) Appoint a trustee to act in another state, country or other jurisdiction with respect to trust property located in the other state, country or other jurisdiction, confer upon the appointed trustee all of the powers and duties of the appointing trustee, require that the appointed trustee furnish security and remove any trustee so appointed.

      (21) Make a distribution to a beneficiary who is under a legal disability or who the trustee reasonably believes is financially incapable, either:

      (a) Directly;

      (b) By application of the distribution for the beneficiary’s benefit;

      (c) By paying the distribution to the beneficiary’s conservator or, if the beneficiary does not have a conservator, the beneficiary’s guardian;

      (d) By creating a custodianship under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act by paying the distribution to a custodian for the beneficiary;

      (e) By paying the distribution to any existing custodian under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act;

      (f) By paying the distribution to an adult relative or other person having legal or physical care or custody of the beneficiary, to be expended on the beneficiary’s behalf, if the trustee does not know of a conservator, guardian or custodian for the beneficiary; or

      (g) By managing the distribution as a separate fund held by the trustee on behalf of the beneficiary, subject to the beneficiary’s continuing right to withdraw the distribution.

      (22) On distribution or payment of trust property or the division or termination of a trust, make distributions and payments in cash or in kind, or in divided or undivided interests, allocate particular assets in proportionate or disproportionate shares, value the trust property for those purposes and adjust for resulting differences in valuation.

      (23) Resolve a dispute concerning the interpretation of the trust or the administration of the trust by mediation, arbitration or other procedure for alternative dispute resolution.

      (24) Prosecute or defend an action, claim or judicial proceeding in any state, country or other jurisdiction to protect trust property and the trustee in the performance of the trustee’s duties.

      (25) Sign and deliver contracts and other instruments that are useful to achieve or facilitate the exercise of the trustee’s powers.

      (26) On termination of the trust, exercise the powers appropriate to wind up the administration of the trust and distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to the property.

      (27) Allocate items of income or expense to either trust income or principal, as provided by law, including creation of reserves out of income for depreciation, obsolescence or amortization, or for depletion in mineral or timber properties.

      (28) Employ persons, including attorneys, auditors, investment advisors or agents, to advise or assist the trustee in the performance of administrative duties. A trustee may act based on the recommendations of professionals without independently investigating the recommendations.

      (29) Apply for and qualify all or part of the property in the trust estate for special governmental tax programs or other programs that may benefit the trust estate or any of the beneficiaries.

      (30) Deposit securities in a clearing corporation as provided in ORS 128.100. [2005 c.348 §75; 2007 c.515 §3; 2013 c.529 §20]

 

      130.730 UTC 817. When interest of beneficiary vests; distribution upon termination. (1) The interests of a beneficiary under a testamentary trust vest upon the death of the testator, and the interests of a beneficiary under a revocable or irrevocable trust vest when the trust becomes irrevocable, and not later, unless the will or trust clearly indicates a contrary intent.

      (2) Unless a will or trust clearly indicates a contrary intent, upon the occurrence of an event, satisfaction of a condition or exercise of a power that terminates or partially terminates a trust or creates an obligation for the trustee to pay or distribute all or any portion of a trust to a beneficiary, the beneficiary’s interest in the terminated trust, portion or distribution indefeasibly vests in the beneficiary as of the event, satisfaction or exercise, subject to ORS 114.600 to 114.725, rights of creditors and the administration and sale of trust property by the trustee. Upon the termination or partial termination of a trust or upon creation of the obligation for the trustee to pay or distribute all or any portion of a trust to a beneficiary under this subsection, the trustee shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to the property. The trustee may retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, fees, expenses and taxes.

      (3) Incidental to a termination or partial termination of a trust, the trustee may request that a beneficiary execute a release of the trustee from liability for breach of trust. A release under this subsection is invalid to the extent:

      (a) The release was induced by improper conduct of the trustee; or

      (b) The trustee failed to adequately disclose to the beneficiary, at the time of the release, the material facts relating to the breach or sufficient information to enable the beneficiary to know of a potential claim or to inquire into the existence of a breach or potential claim. [2005 c.348 §76; 2013 c.529 §21; 2015 c.126 §4]

 

      Note: See note under 130.230.

 

      130.733 Notice of proposed trustee action to beneficiaries; right of beneficiary to object. (1) Prior to a proposed action to be taken by a trustee regarding the administration of a trust, the trustee may send the beneficiaries a written notice of the proposed action informing the beneficiaries of the proposed action.

      (2) The right of a beneficiary receiving a notice of proposed action under subsection (1) of this section to object to a proposed action described in the notice is barred if the beneficiary does not notify the trustee in writing of an objection within 45 days after the notice was sent, or within such longer time as may be stated in the notice, but only to the extent that the notice of proposed action:

      (a) Clearly informs the beneficiary of the right to object, the manner in which to object and the date by which the objection must be received by the trustee;

      (b) States that the beneficiary’s right to object may be barred if the beneficiary does not object within the time and in the manner allowed for objection; and

      (c) Adequately provides sufficient information regarding the proposed action to enable the beneficiary to make an informed decision.

      (3) If a beneficiary receiving notice does not object as provided in this section, the beneficiary will be deemed to have consented to the proposed action and the beneficiary may not thereafter file an action or other civil proceeding based in tort, contract or otherwise if the proposed action is taken by the trustee within a reasonable time after the notice was given under this section. This subsection does not apply to the following:

      (a) Allowance of the trustee’s compensation;

      (b) Settlement of trust accounts or the trustee’s report;

      (c) Sale of trust property to the trustee or sale of the trustee’s property to the trust;

      (d) Exchange of trust property for property of the trustee;

      (e) Grant of an option to the trustee to purchase trust property;

      (f) Allowance, payment or settlement of a trustee’s claim against the trust;

      (g) Compromise or settlement of a claim, action or proceeding by the trust against the trustee; or

      (h) Extension, renewal or modification of the terms of a debt or other obligation of the trustee owing to or in favor of the trust.

      (4) The receipt of an objection by the trustee does not prohibit the trustee from taking the proposed action or sending subsequent notices of proposed actions to the beneficiaries regarding the same or similar proposed actions. [2013 c.529 §25]

 

ADVISERS

 

      130.735 Appointment of adviser; liability of trustee. (1) A trust instrument may appoint a person to act as an adviser for the purpose of directing or approving decisions made by the trustee, including decisions related to distribution of trust assets and to the purchase, sale or exchange of trust investments. The appointment must be made by a provision of the trust that specifically refers to this section. The appointment may provide for succession of advisers and for a process for the removal of advisers. An adviser shall exercise all authority granted under the trust instrument as a fiduciary unless the trust instrument provides otherwise. A person who agrees to act as an adviser is subject to Oregon law and submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state.

      (2) If a trust instrument provides that a trustee is to follow the direction of an adviser, and that trustee acts in accordance with the adviser’s directions, the trustee is not liable for any loss resulting directly or indirectly from the trustee’s decision unless the decision constitutes reckless indifference to the purposes of the trust or the interests of the beneficiaries.

      (3) If a trust instrument provides that a trustee is to make decisions with the approval of an adviser, and the adviser does not provide approval within a reasonable time after the trustee has made a request for approval of a decision, the trustee is not liable for any loss resulting directly or indirectly from the decision unless the decision constitutes reckless indifference to the purposes of the trust or the interests of the beneficiaries.

      (4) Except to the extent specifically provided by the trust instrument, a trustee has no duty to monitor an adviser’s conduct, provide advice to the adviser, consult with the adviser or give notice to any beneficiary or third party about decisions made pursuant to the adviser’s direction that the trustee would have decided differently.

      (5) Absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, all actions taken by a trustee for the purpose of implementing directions from an adviser, including confirming that the adviser’s directions have been carried out and recording and reporting activities requested by the adviser, are presumed to be administrative actions taken by the trustee solely for the purpose of allowing the trustee to perform the duties assigned to the trustee under the trust instrument. Administrative actions taken by a trustee for the purpose of implementing directions from an adviser do not constitute monitoring of the adviser or other participation in decisions that are within the scope of the adviser’s authority.

      (6) A court may remove an adviser if the court finds:

      (a) The adviser has committed a serious breach of trust; or

      (b) Removal of the adviser best serves the interests of the beneficiaries because the adviser is unfit or unwilling, or has persistently failed to timely and effectively advise the trustee in matters assigned to the adviser in the trust instrument under subsection (1) of this section. [2009 c.275 §21; 2013 c.529 §22]

 

UNIFORM PRUDENT INVESTOR ACT

 

      130.750 Trustee’s duty to comply with prudent investor rule. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, a trustee who invests and manages trust assets owes a duty to the beneficiaries of the trust to comply with the prudent investor rule set forth in ORS 130.755.

      (2) The prudent investor rule is a default rule that may be expanded, restricted, eliminated or otherwise altered by the provisions of a trust. A trustee is not liable to a beneficiary to the extent that the trustee acted in reasonable reliance on the provisions of the trust. [2005 c.348 §77]

 

      130.755 Prudent investor rule. (1) A trustee shall invest and manage trust assets as a prudent investor would, by considering the purposes, terms, distribution requirements and other circumstances of the trust. In satisfying this standard, the trustee shall exercise reasonable care, skill and caution.

      (2) A trustee’s investment and management decisions respecting individual assets are not evaluated in isolation, but in the context of the trust portfolio as a whole and as a part of the overall investment strategy having risk and return objectives reasonably suited to the trust.

      (3) A trustee shall consider all relevant circumstances in investing and managing trust assets, including any of the following that are relevant to the trust or the beneficiaries of the trust:

      (a) General economic conditions;

      (b) The possible effect of inflation or deflation;

      (c) The expected tax consequences of investment decisions or strategies;

      (d) The role that each investment or course of action plays within an overall trust portfolio, which may include financial assets, interests in closely held enterprises, tangible and intangible personal property, and real property;

      (e) The expected total return from income and the appreciation of capital;

      (f) Other resources of the beneficiaries;

      (g) Needs for liquidity, regularity of income and preservation or appreciation of capital;

      (h) An asset’s special relationship or special value, if any, to the purposes of the trust or to one or more of the beneficiaries;

      (i) The intent, desire and personal values of the settlor, including the settlor’s desire to engage in sustainable or socially responsible investment strategies that align with the settlor’s social, environmental, governance or other values or beliefs to the extent known by the trustee; and

      (j) The needs of the beneficiaries, including but not limited to the beneficiaries’ personal values and desire that the trustee engage in sustainable or socially responsible investing strategies that align with the beneficiaries’ social, environmental, governance or other values or beliefs, as well as the financial needs of the beneficiaries.

      (4) A trustee shall make a reasonable effort to verify facts relevant to the investment and management of trust assets.

      (5) A trustee may invest in any kind of property or type of investment consistent with the standards of ORS 130.750 to 130.775.

      (6) A trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is named trustee in reliance upon the trustee’s representation that the trustee has special skills or expertise, has a duty to use those special skills or expertise in investing and managing trust assets. [2005 c.348 §78; 2019 c.546 §2]

 

      130.760 Diversification of trust investments. A trustee shall diversify the investments of the trust unless the trustee reasonably determines that, because of special circumstances, the purposes of the trust are better served without diversifying. [2005 c.348 §79]

 

      130.765 Trustee duty. Within a reasonable time after accepting a trusteeship or receiving trust assets, a trustee shall review the trust assets and make and implement decisions concerning the retention and disposition of assets in order to bring the trust portfolio into compliance with the requirements of ORS 130.750 to 130.775 and with the purposes, terms, distribution requirements and other circumstances of the trust. [2005 c.348 §80]

 

      130.770 Determination of compliance with prudent investor rule. Compliance with the prudent investor rule is determined in light of the facts and circumstances existing at the time of a trustee’s decision or action and not by hindsight. [2005 c.348 §81]

 

      130.775 Trust language authorizing investments permitted under prudent investor rule. Unless otherwise limited or modified, the following terms or comparable language in the provisions of a trust authorize any investment or strategy permitted under ORS 130.750 to 130.775: “investments permissible by law for investment of trust funds,” “legal investments,” “authorized investments,” “using the judgment and care under the circumstances then prevailing that persons of prudence, discretion and intelligence exercise in the management of their own affairs, not in regard to speculation but in regard to the permanent disposition of their funds, considering the probable income as well as the probable safety of their capital,” “prudent man rule,” “prudent trustee rule” and “prudent investor rule.” [2005 c.348 §82]

 

LIABILITY OF TRUSTEE AND RIGHTS OF PERSONS DEALING WITH TRUSTEE

 

      130.800 UTC 1001. Remedies for breach of trust. (1) A violation by a trustee of a duty the trustee owes to a beneficiary is a breach of trust. A breach of trust may occur by reason of an action or by reason of a failure to act.

      (2) To remedy a breach of trust that has occurred or to prevent a breach of trust, the court may:

      (a) Compel the trustee to perform the trustee’s duties;

      (b) Enjoin the trustee from committing a breach of trust;

      (c) Compel the trustee to pay money or restore property;

      (d) Order a trustee to account;

      (e) Appoint a special fiduciary to take possession of the trust property and administer the trust;

      (f) Suspend the trustee;

      (g) Remove the trustee as provided in ORS 130.625;

      (h) Reduce or deny compensation to the trustee;

      (i) Subject to ORS 130.855, void an act of the trustee, impose a lien or a constructive trust on trust property, or trace trust property wrongfully disposed of and recover the property or its proceeds; or

      (j) Order any other appropriate relief. [2005 c.348 §83]

 

      130.805 UTC 1002. Damages for breach of trust. (1) A trustee who commits a breach of trust is liable to the beneficiaries affected for the greatest of:

      (a) The amount of damages caused by the breach;

      (b) The amount required to restore the value of the trust property and trust distributions to what they would have been had the breach not occurred; or

      (c) The profit the trustee made by reason of the breach.

      (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if more than one trustee is liable to the beneficiaries for a breach of trust, a trustee is entitled to contribution from the other trustee or trustees. In determining the amount of contribution, the court shall consider the degree of fault of each trustee and whether any trustee or trustees acted in bad faith or with reckless indifference to the purposes of the trust or the interests of the beneficiaries. A trustee who received a benefit from the breach of trust is not entitled to contribution from another trustee to the extent of the benefit received. [2005 c.348 §84; 2017 c.17 §6]

 

      130.810 UTC 1003. Damages in absence of breach. (1) Except as provided by ORS 130.725 (4) and (15) or 709.175 or other law of this state, a trustee is accountable to an affected beneficiary for any profit made by the trustee arising from the administration of the trust, without regard to whether the profit resulted from a breach of trust.

      (2) Unless there is a breach of trust, a trustee is not liable to a beneficiary for a loss or depreciation in the value of trust property or for not having made a profit. [2005 c.348 §85]

 

      130.815 UTC 1004. Attorney fees and costs. In a judicial proceeding involving the validity or administration of a trust, the court may award costs and expenses and reasonable attorney’s fees to any party, to be paid by another party or from the trust. [2005 c.348 §86]

 

      130.820 UTC 1005. Limitation of action against trustee. (1) Notwithstanding ORS chapter 12 or any other provision of law, but subject to subsection (2) of this section, a civil action against a trustee based on any act or omission of the trustee, whether based in tort, contract or other theory of recovery, must be commenced within six years after the date the act or omission is discovered, or six years after the date the act or omission should have been discovered, whichever is earlier.

      (2) A beneficiary may not commence a proceeding against a trustee more than one year after the date the beneficiary or a representative of the beneficiary is sent a report by certified or regular mail that adequately discloses the existence of a potential claim and that informs the beneficiary of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. A copy of this section must be attached to the report. The report must provide sufficient information so that the beneficiary or representative knows of the potential claim or should have inquired into its existence.

      (3) If subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply, a judicial proceeding against a trustee must be commenced within 10 years from the date of the act or omission complained of, or two years from the termination of any fiduciary account established under the trust, whichever is later. [2005 c.348 §87]

 

      130.825 UTC 1006. Reliance on trust instrument. A trustee who acts in reasonable reliance on the terms of the trust as expressed in the trust instrument is not liable to a beneficiary for a breach of trust to the extent the breach resulted from the reliance. [2005 c.348 §88]

 

      130.830 UTC 1007. Event affecting administration or distribution. A trustee is not liable for failing to determine whether a marriage, a divorce, a death, the performance of educational requirements or another event affecting the administration or distribution of a trust has occurred if the trustee has exercised reasonable care in attempting to determine whether the event has occurred. [2005 c.348 §89]

 

      130.835 UTC 1008. Exculpation of trustee. (1) A term of a trust relieving a trustee of liability for breach of trust is unenforceable to the extent that the term:

      (a) Relieves the trustee of liability for breach of trust committed in bad faith or with reckless indifference to the purposes of the trust or the interests of the beneficiaries; or

      (b) Was inserted as the result of an abuse by the trustee of a fiduciary or confidential relationship to the settlor.

      (2) An exculpatory term drafted or caused to be drafted by the trustee is invalid as an abuse of a fiduciary or confidential relationship unless:

      (a) The settlor is represented by an independent counsel who reviewed the term; or

      (b) The trustee proves that the exculpatory term is fair under the circumstances and that the term’s existence and contents were adequately communicated to the settlor. [2005 c.348 §90]

 

      130.840 UTC 1009. Beneficiary’s consent, release or ratification. If a beneficiary consents to conduct of a trustee that constitutes a breach of trust, releases a trustee from liability for a breach of trust or ratifies a transaction entered into by a trustee that constitutes a breach of trust, the trustee is not liable to the beneficiary for the breach of trust unless:

      (1) The consent, release or ratification of the beneficiary was induced by improper conduct of the trustee; or

      (2) At the time of the consent, release or ratification, the beneficiary did not know of the beneficiary’s rights or know of the material facts relating to the breach. [2005 c.348 §91]

 

      130.845 UTC 1010. Limitation on personal liability of trustee. (1) Except as otherwise provided in the contract, a trustee is not personally liable on a contract properly entered into in the trustee’s fiduciary capacity in the course of administering the trust if the trustee disclosed the trustee’s fiduciary capacity in the contract.

      (2) A trustee is personally liable for torts committed in the course of administering a trust or for obligations arising from ownership or control of trust property, including liability for violation of environmental law, only if the trustee is personally at fault.

      (3) The following claims may be asserted in a judicial proceeding against the trustee in the trustee’s fiduciary capacity, whether or not the trustee is personally liable for the claim:

      (a) A claim based on a contract entered into by a trustee in the trustee’s fiduciary capacity.

      (b) A claim based on an obligation arising from ownership or control of trust property.

      (c) A claim based on a tort committed in the course of administering a trust.

      (4) This section does not impose personal liability on a trustee solely because the trustee holds property under an instrument that shows title in the name of the trustee but does not state that the trustee holds the property in a representative capacity. [2005 c.348 §92]

 

      130.850 UTC 1011. Interest as general partner. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section or unless personal liability is imposed in the contract, a trustee who holds an interest as a general partner in a general or limited partnership is not personally liable on a contract entered into by the partnership after the trust’s acquisition of the interest if the trustee’s fiduciary capacity is disclosed.

      (2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, a trustee who holds an interest as a general partner is not personally liable for torts committed by the partnership or for obligations arising from ownership or control of the interest unless the trustee is personally at fault.

      (3) The immunity provided by this section does not apply if an interest in a partnership is held by the trustee in a capacity other than that of trustee.

      (4) If the trustee of a revocable trust holds an interest as a general partner, the settlor is personally liable for contracts and other obligations of the partnership to the same extent that the settlor would be liable if the settlor were a general partner. [2005 c.348 §93]

 

      130.855 UTC 1012. Protection of person dealing with trustee. (1) A person other than a beneficiary who in good faith assists a trustee, or who in good faith and for value deals with a trustee, is not liable for acts of the trustee that exceed the trustee’s powers or for the improper exercise of the trustee’s powers, unless the person knows that the trustee has exceeded the trustee’s powers or improperly exercised those powers.

      (2) A person other than a beneficiary who deals with a trustee in good faith is not required to inquire about the extent of the trustee’s powers or about the propriety of the trustee’s exercise of those powers.

      (3) A person who in good faith delivers assets to a trustee need not ensure that the assets are properly applied.

      (4) Any person other than a beneficiary who in good faith assists a former trustee, or who in good faith and for value deals with a former trustee, without knowledge that the trusteeship has terminated, is not liable solely because the former trustee is no longer a trustee.

      (5) Comparable protective provisions of other laws relating to commercial transactions or transfer of securities by fiduciaries prevail over the protection provided by this section. [2005 c.348 §94]

 

      130.860 UTC 1013. Certification of trust. (1) A person who is not a beneficiary and who proposes to deal with the trustee of a trust may require that all trustees execute and furnish to the person a certification of trust.

      (2) The certification of trust shall contain the following information:

      (a) That the trust exists and the date the trust instrument was executed;

      (b) The identity of the settlor;

      (c) The identity and address of the currently acting trustee;

      (d) The powers of the trustee;

      (e) The revocability or irrevocability of the trust and the identity of any person holding a power to revoke the trust;

      (f) The existence or nonexistence of any power to modify or amend the trust and the identity of any person holding a power to modify or amend the trust;

      (g) The authority of cotrustees to sign or otherwise authenticate and whether all cotrustees or fewer than all are required in order to exercise powers of the trustee;

      (h) The last four digits of the settlor’s Social Security number, or the trust’s employer identification number;

      (i) The manner of taking title to trust property; and

      (j) The state, country or other jurisdiction under the laws of which the trust was established.

      (3) A certification of trust must be signed or otherwise authenticated by all the trustees.

      (4) A certification of trust must state that the trust has not been revoked, modified or amended in any manner that would cause the representations contained in the certification of trust to be incorrect.

      (5) A certification of trust need not contain the dispositive terms of a trust.

      (6) A recipient of a certification of trust may not require the trustee to furnish the entire trust instrument, but may require the trustee to furnish copies of excerpts from the original trust instrument and later amendments that designate the trustee and confer upon the trustee the power to act in the pending transaction.

      (7) A person may require that the certification of trust:

      (a) Include facts other than those listed in this section that are reasonably related to the administration of the trust;

      (b) Be executed by one or more of the settlors;

      (c) Be executed by one or more of the beneficiaries if the certification is reasonably related to a pending or contemplated transaction with the person; and

      (d) Be adapted to the person’s own standard form, which may be incorporated in an account signature agreement or other account document.

      (8) A certification of trust may contain the identity of any successor trustee or trustees and the circumstances under which any successor trustee or trustees will assume trust powers.

      (9)(a) A person who acts in reliance upon a certification of trust without actual knowledge that the representations contained in the certification are incorrect is not liable to any person for so acting and may assume without inquiry the existence of the facts contained in the certification. A person does not have actual knowledge that the representations contained in the certification are incorrect solely by reason of having a copy of all or part of the trust instrument.

      (b) Any transaction, and any lien created by that transaction, is enforceable against a trust if the transaction is entered into by a person acting in reliance on a certification of trust containing the information set forth in this section without actual knowledge that the representations contained in the certification are incorrect.

      (c) If a person has actual knowledge that the trustee or trustees are acting outside the scope of the trust, and the actual knowledge was acquired by the person before entering into the transaction or making a binding commitment to do so, the transaction is not enforceable against the trust.

      (10) A person is not liable for acting in reliance on a certification of trust solely because the certification fails to contain all the information required in this section.

      (11) This section does not limit the rights of the beneficiaries of the trust against a trustee.

      (12) A person’s failure to demand or refusal to accept and rely solely upon a certification of trust does not affect the protection provided the person by ORS 130.855, and no inference as to whether the person has acted in good faith may be drawn from the failure to demand or the refusal to accept and rely solely upon a certification.

      (13) This section applies to all trusts, whether established under the laws of this state or under the law of another state, country or other jurisdiction. [2005 c.348 §95; 2009 c.363 §3]

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

      130.900 Uniformity of application and construction. In applying and construing ORS chapter 130, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to trusts among states that enact the Uniform Trust Code. [2005 c.348 §96]

 

      Note: 130.900 to 130.910 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 130 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

 

      130.905 UTC 1102. Electronic records and signatures. The legal effect, validity or enforceability of electronic records or electronic signatures under ORS chapter 130, and of contracts formed or performed with the use of such records or signatures, are governed by ORS 84.001 to 84.061. [2005 c.348 §97]

 

      Note: See note under 130.900.

 

      130.910 UTC 1106. Application. (1) Except as otherwise provided in ORS chapter 130:

      (a) ORS chapter 130 applies to all trusts created before, on or after January 1, 2006.

      (b) ORS chapter 130 does not apply to judicial, administrative and other proceedings concerning trusts commenced before January 1, 2006.

      (c) Any rule of construction or presumption provided in ORS chapter 130 applies to trust instruments executed before January 1, 2006, unless there is a clear indication of a contrary intent in the terms of the trust.

      (d) An act done before January 1, 2006, is not affected by ORS chapter 130.

      (2) If a right is acquired, extinguished or barred upon the expiration of a prescribed period that has commenced to run under any other statute before January 1, 2006, that statute continues to apply to the right even if it has been repealed or superseded. [2005 c.348 §98]

 

      Note: See note under 130.900.

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