Chapter 736 - 2021 Florida Statutes

Home > Laws > 2021 Florida Statutes > Title XLII > Chapter 736

Quick Links

General Laws Conversion Table (2024) [PDF]
Florida Statutes Definitions Index (2024) [PDF]
Table of Section Changes (2024) [PDF]
Preface to the Florida Statutes (2024) [PDF]
Table Tracing Session Laws to Florida Statutes (2024) [PDF]
Index to Special and Local Laws (1971-2024) [PDF]
Index to Special and Local Laws (1845-1970) [PDF]
Statute Search Tips

2021 Florida Statutes (Including 2021B Session)

Title XLII ESTATES AND TRUSTS

Chapter 736
FLORIDA TRUST CODE

CHAPTER 736

FLORIDA TRUST CODE

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

(ss. 736.0101-736.0112)

PART II

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

(ss. 736.0201-736.0207)

PART III

REPRESENTATION

(ss. 736.0301-736.0306)

PART IV

CREATION, VALIDITY, MODIFICATION, AND
TERMINATION

(ss. 736.0401-736.0417)

PART V

CREDITORS’ CLAIMS; SPENDTHRIFT AND DISCRETIONARY
TRUSTS

(ss. 736.0501-736.0507)

PART VI

REVOCABLE TRUSTS

(ss. 736.0601-736.0604)

PART VII

OFFICE OF TRUSTEE

(ss. 736.0701-736.0709)

PART VIII

DUTIES AND POWERS OF TRUSTEE

(ss. 736.0801-736.0817)

PART IX

TRUST INVESTMENTS

(ss. 736.0901, 736.0902)

PART X

LIABILITY OF TRUSTEE AND RIGHTS OF PERSONS DEALING WITH
TRUSTEE

(ss. 736.1001-736.1018)

PART XI

RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

(ss. 736.1101-736.1109)

PART XII

CHARITABLE TRUSTS

(ss. 736.1201-736.1211)

PART XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

(ss. 736.1301-736.1303)

PART XIV

FLORIDA UNIFORM DIRECTED TRUST ACT

(ss. 736.1401-736.1416)

PART XV

COMMUNITY PROPERTY TRUST ACT

(ss. 736.1501-736.1512)

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

736.0101 Short title.

736.0102 Scope.

736.0103 Definitions.

736.0104 Knowledge.

736.0105 Default and mandatory rules.

736.0106 Common law of trusts; principles of equity.

736.0107 Governing law.

736.0108 Principal place of administration.

736.0109 Methods and waiver of notice.

736.0110 Others treated as qualified beneficiaries.

736.0111 Nonjudicial settlement agreements.

736.0112 Qualification of foreign trustee.

736.0101 Short title.—This chapter may be cited as the “Florida Trust Code” and for purposes of this chapter is referred to as the “code.”

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217.

736.0102 Scope.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this code applies to express trusts, charitable or noncharitable, and trusts created pursuant to a law, judgment, or decree that requires the trust to be administered in the manner of an express trust.

(2) This code does not apply to constructive or resulting trusts; conservatorships; custodial arrangements pursuant to the Florida Uniform Transfers to Minors Act; business trusts providing for certificates to be issued to beneficiaries; common trust funds; trusts created by the form of the account or by the deposit agreement at a financial institution; voting trusts; security arrangements; liquidation trusts; trusts for the primary purpose of paying debts, dividends, interest, salaries, wages, profits, pensions, or employee benefits of any kind; and any arrangement under which a person is nominee or escrowee for another.

(3) This code does not apply to any land trust under s. 689.071, except to the extent provided in s. 689.071(7), s. 721.08(2)(c)4., or s. 721.53(1)(e). A trust governed at its creation by this chapter, former chapter 737, or any prior trust statute superseded or replaced by any provision of former chapter 737, is not a land trust regardless of any amendment or modification of the trust, any change in the assets held in the trust, or any continuing trust resulting from the distribution or retention in further trust of assets from the trust.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217; s. 10, ch. 2007-153; s. 3, ch. 2013-240.

736.0103 Definitions.—Unless the context otherwise requires, in this code:

(1) “Action,” with respect to an act of a trustee, includes a failure to act.

(2) “Affiliate” means any person or entity that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common control or ownership with, the fiduciary. An affiliate may include, but is not limited to, an investment adviser, administrator, broker, transfer agent, placement agent, servicing agent, registrar, custodian, underwriter, sponsor, distributor, or manager.

(3) “Ascertainable standard” means a standard relating to an individual’s health, education, support, or maintenance within the meaning of s. 2041(b)(1)(A) or s. 2514(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(4) “Beneficiary” means a person who has a present or future beneficial interest in a trust, vested or contingent, or who holds a power of appointment over trust property in a capacity other than that of trustee. An interest as a permissible appointee of a power of appointment, held by a person in a capacity other than that of trustee, is not a beneficial interest for purposes of this subsection. Upon an irrevocable exercise of a power of appointment, the interest of a person in whose favor the appointment is made shall be considered a present or future beneficial interest in a trust in the same manner as if the interest had been included in the trust instrument.

(5) “Charitable trust” means a trust, or portion of a trust, created for a charitable purpose as described in s. 736.0405(1).

(6) “Directed trust” means a trust for which the terms of the trust grant a power of direction.

(7) “Directed trustee” means a trustee that is subject to a trust director’s power of direction.

(8) “Distributee” means a beneficiary who is currently entitled to receive a distribution.

(9) “Environmental law” means a federal, state, or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance that relates to protection of the environment or human health.

(10) “General power of appointment” means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of the holder of the power, the power holder’s creditors, the power holder’s estate, or the creditors of the power holder’s estate.

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

(12) “Guardian of the property” means a person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a minor or incapacitated adult.

(13) “Interests of the beneficiaries” means the beneficial interests intended by the settlor as provided in the terms of a trust.

(14) “Jurisdiction” with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country.

(15) “Permissible distributee” means a beneficiary who is currently eligible to receive a distribution.

(16) “Power of direction” means a power over a trust granted to a person by the terms of the trust to the extent the power is exercisable while the person is not serving as a trustee. The term includes a power over the investment, management, or distribution of trust property; a power to amend a trust instrument or terminate a trust; or a power over other matters of trust administration. The term excludes the powers excluded from part XIV of this chapter under s. 736.1405(2).

(17) “Power of withdrawal” means a presently exercisable general power of appointment other than a power:

(a) Exercisable by a trustee and limited by an ascertainable standard; or

(b) Exercisable by another person only upon consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.

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

(19) “Qualified beneficiary” means a living beneficiary who, on the date the beneficiary’s qualification is determined:

(a) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal;

(b) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in paragraph (a) terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate; or

(c) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated in accordance with its terms on that date.

(20) “Revocable,” as applied to a trust, means revocable by the settlor without the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.

(21) “Settlor” means a person, including a testator, who creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to that person’s contribution except to the extent another person has the power to revoke or withdraw that portion.

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

(23) “State” means any state of the United States and includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession subject to the legislative authority of the United States.

(24) “Terms of a trust” means:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the manifestation of the settlor’s intent regarding a trust’s provisions as:

1. Expressed in the trust instrument; or

2. Established by other evidence that would be admissible in a judicial proceeding; or

(b) The trust’s provisions as established, determined, or amended by:

1. A trustee or trust director in accordance with applicable law;

2. Court order; or

3. A nonjudicial settlement agreement under s. 736.0111, relating to nonjudicial settlement agreements.

(25) “Trust director” means a person who is granted a power of direction by the terms of a trust to the extent the power is exercisable while the person is not serving as a trustee. The person is a trust director whether or not the terms of the trust refer to the person as a trust director and whether or not the person is a beneficiary or settlor of the trust.

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

(27) “Trustee” means the original trustee and includes any additional trustee, any successor trustee, and any cotrustee.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217; s. 1, ch. 2009-117; s. 9, ch. 2013-172; s. 1, ch. 2018-35; s. 3, ch. 2021-183.

736.0104 Knowledge.—

(1) Subject to subsection (2), 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

(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 on matters involving 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 on matters involving 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 individual’s regular duties or the individual knows a matter involving the trust would be materially affected by the information.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217.

736.0105 Default and mandatory rules.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the trust, this code governs the duties and powers of a trustee, relations among trustees, and the rights and interests of a beneficiary.

(2) The terms of a trust prevail over any provision of this code except:

(a) The requirements for creating a trust.

(b) Subject to s. 736.1409, relating to the duties and liabilities of a directed trustee; s. 736.1411, relating to limitations on duties of a trustee or trust director to monitor, inform, or advise on matters involving the other; and s. 736.1412, relating to the allocation of powers among cotrustees, requirements for excluded cotrustees to act as a directed trustee, and liability and related obligations of directing cotrustees, the duty of the trustee to act in good faith and in accordance with the terms and purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries.

(d) The periods of limitation for commencing a judicial proceeding.

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

(f) The requirements under s. 736.0108(1) for the designation of a principal place of administration of the trust and the requirements under s. 736.0107 for the designation of a jurisdiction the law of which determines the meaning and effect of the terms of a trust.

(g) The jurisdiction and venue provisions in ss. 736.0202, 736.0203, and 736.0204.

(h) The restrictions on the designation of representative under s. 736.0306.

(i) The formalities required under s. 736.0403(2) for the execution of a trust.

(j) The power of the court to modify or terminate a trust under ss. 736.0410-736.04115, except as provided in s. 736.04115(3)(b), and under ss. 736.0413, 736.0415, and 736.0416.

(k) The ability to modify a trust under s. 736.0412, except as provided in s. 736.0412(4)(b).

(l) The effect of a spendthrift provision and the rights of certain creditors and assignees to reach a trust as provided in part V.

(m) The trustee’s duty under s. 736.05053 to pay expenses and obligations of the settlor’s estate.

(n) The trustee’s duty under s. 736.05055 to file a notice of trust at the settlor’s death.

(o) The right of a trustee under s. 736.0701 to decline a trusteeship and the right of a trustee under s. 736.0705 to resign a trusteeship.

(p) The power of the court under s. 736.0702 to require, dispense with, modify, or terminate a bond.

(q) The power of the court under s. 736.0708(2) to adjust a trustee’s compensation specified in the terms of the trust that is unreasonably low or high.

(r) The duty under s. 736.0813(1)(a) and (b) to notify qualified beneficiaries of an irrevocable trust of the existence of the trust, of the identity of the trustee, and of their rights to trust accountings.

(s) The duty under s. 736.0813(1)(c) and (d) to provide a complete copy of the trust instrument and to account to qualified beneficiaries.

(t) The duty under s. 736.0813(1)(e) to respond to the request of a qualified beneficiary of an irrevocable trust for relevant information about the assets and liabilities of the trust and the particulars relating to trust administration.

(u) The effect of an exculpatory term under s. 736.1011.

(v) The rights under ss. 736.1013-736.1017 of a person other than a trustee or beneficiary.

(w) The effect of a penalty clause for contesting a trust under s. 736.1108.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217; s. 2, ch. 2009-117; s. 2, ch. 2018-35; s. 4, ch. 2021-183.

736.0106 Common law of trusts; principles of equity.—The common law of trusts and principles of equity supplement this code, except to the extent modified by this code or another law of this state.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217.

736.0107 Governing law.—The meaning and effect of the terms of a trust are determined by:

(1) The law of the jurisdiction designated in the terms of the trust, provided there is a sufficient nexus to the designated jurisdiction at the time of the creation of the trust or during the trust administration, including, but not limited to, the location of real property held by the trust or the residence or location of an office of the settlor, trustee, or any beneficiary; or

(2) In the absence of a controlling designation in the terms of the trust, the law of the jurisdiction where the settlor resides at the time the trust is first created.

Notwithstanding subsection (1) or subsection (2), a designation in the terms of a trust is not controlling as to any matter for which the designation would be contrary to a strong public policy of this state.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217.

736.0108 Principal place of administration.—

(1) Terms of a trust designating the principal place of administration of the trust are valid only if there is a sufficient connection with the designated jurisdiction. Without precluding other means for establishing a sufficient connection, 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 or a trustee is a resident of the designated jurisdiction; or

(b) All or part of the administration occurs in the designated jurisdiction.

(2) Unless otherwise validly designated in the trust instrument, the principal place of administration of a trust is the trustee’s usual place of business where the records pertaining to the trust are kept or, if the trustee has no place of business, the trustee’s residence. In the case of cotrustees, the principal place of administration is:

(a) The usual place of business of the corporate trustee, if there is only one corporate cotrustee;

(b) The usual place of business or residence of the individual trustee who is a professional fiduciary, if there is only one such person and no corporate cotrustee; or otherwise

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the principal place of administration of a trust, for which a bank, association, or trust company organized under the laws of this state or bank or savings association organized under the laws of the United States with its main office in this state has been appointed trustee, shall not be moved or otherwise affected solely because the trustee engaged in an interstate merger transaction with an out-of-state bank pursuant to s. 658.2953 in which the out-of-state bank is the resulting bank.

(4) A trustee is under a continuing duty to administer the trust at a place appropriate to its purposes and its administration.

(5) Without precluding the right of the court to order, approve, or disapprove a transfer, the trustee, in furtherance of the duty prescribed by subsection (4), may transfer the trust’s principal place of administration to another state or to a jurisdiction outside of the United States.

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

(a) The name of the 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.

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

(e) The date, not less than 60 days after the notice is provided, by which the qualified beneficiary must notify the trustee of an objection to the proposed transfer.

(7) The authority of a trustee to act under this section without court approval to transfer a trust’s principal place of administration is suspended if a qualified beneficiary files a lawsuit objecting to the proposed transfer on or before the date specified in the notice. The suspension is effective until the lawsuit is dismissed or withdrawn.

(8) In connection with a transfer of the trust’s principal place of administration, the trustee may transfer any of the trust property to a successor trustee designated in the terms of the trust or appointed pursuant to s. 736.0704.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217.

736.0109 Methods and waiver of notice.—

(1) Notice to a person under this code or the sending of a document to a person under this code must be accomplished in a manner reasonably suitable under the circumstances and likely to result in receipt of the notice or document. Permissible methods of notice or for sending a document include first-class mail, personal delivery, delivery to the person’s last known place of residence or place of business, a properly directed facsimile or other electronic message, or posting on a secure electronic account or website in accordance with subsection (3).

(2) Notice otherwise required under this code or a document otherwise required to be sent under this code need not be provided to a person whose identity or location is unknown to and not reasonably ascertainable by the trustee.

(3) A document that is sent solely by posting on an electronic account or website is not deemed sent for purposes of this section unless the sender complies with this subsection. The sender has the burden of proving compliance with this subsection.

(a) The recipient must sign a separate written authorization solely for the purpose of authorizing the sender to post documents on an electronic account or website before such posting. The written authorization must:

1. Specifically indicate whether a trust accounting, trust disclosure document, or limitation notice, as those terms are defined in s. 736.1008(4), will be posted in this manner, and generally enumerate the other types of documents that may be posted in this manner.

2. Contain specific instructions for accessing the electronic account or website, including the security procedures required to access the electronic account or website, such as a username and password.

3. Advise the recipient that a separate notice will be sent when a document is posted on the electronic account or website and the manner in which the separate notice will be sent.

4. Advise the recipient that the authorization to receive documents by electronic posting may be amended or revoked at any time and include specific instructions for revoking or amending the authorization, including the address designated for the purpose of receiving notice of the revocation or amendment.

5. Advise the recipient that posting a document on the electronic account or website may commence a limitations period as short as 6 months even if the recipient never actually accesses the electronic account, electronic website, or document.

(b) Once the recipient signs the written authorization, the sender must provide a separate notice to the recipient when a document is posted on the electronic account or website. As used in this subsection, the term “separate notice” means a notice sent to the recipient by means other than electronic posting, which identifies each document posted to the electronic account or website and provides instructions for accessing the document. The separate notice requirement is deemed satisfied if the recipient accesses the document on the electronic account or website.

(c) A document sent by electronic posting is deemed received by the recipient on the earlier of the date on which the separate notice is received or the date on which the recipient accesses the document on the electronic account or website.

(d) At least annually after a recipient signs a written authorization, a sender shall send a notice advising recipients who have authorized one or more documents to be posted on an electronic account or website that such posting may commence a limitations period as short as 6 months even if the recipient never accesses the electronic account or website or the document and that authority to receive documents by electronic posting may be amended or revoked at any time. This notice must be given by means other than electronic posting and may not be accompanied by any other written communication. Failure to provide such notice within 380 days after the last notice is deemed to automatically revoke the authorization to receive documents in the manner permitted under this subsection 380 days after the last notice is sent.

(e) The notice required in paragraph (d) may be in substantially the following form: “You have authorized the receipt of documents through posting on an electronic account or website on which the documents can be accessed. This notice is being sent to advise you that a limitations period, which may be as short as 6 months, may be running as to matters disclosed in a trust accounting or other written report of a trustee posted to the electronic account or website even if you never actually access the electronic account or website or the documents. You may amend or revoke the authorization to receive documents by electronic posting at any time. If you have any questions, please consult your attorney.”

(f) A sender may rely on the recipient’s authorization until the recipient amends or revokes the authorization by sending a notice to the address designated for that purpose in the authorization or in the manner specified on the electronic account or website. The recipient, at any time, may amend or revoke an authorization to have documents posted on the electronic account or website.

(g) If a document is provided to a recipient solely through electronic posting pursuant to this subsection, the recipient must be able to access and print or download the document until the earlier of 4 years after the date that the document is deemed received by the recipient or the date upon which the recipient’s access to the electronic account or website is terminated for any reason.

1. If the recipient’s access to the electronic account or website is terminated for any reason, such termination does not invalidate the notice or sending of any document previously posted on the electronic account or website in accordance with this subsection, but may toll the applicable limitations period as provided in subparagraph 2.

2. If the recipient’s access to the electronic account or website is terminated by the sender sooner than 4 years after the date on which the document was received by the recipient, any applicable limitations period set forth in s. 736.1008(1) or (2) which is still running is tolled for any information adequately disclosed in a document sent solely by electronic posting, from the date on which the recipient’s access to the electronic account or website was terminated by the sender until 45 days after the date on which the sender provides one of the following to the recipient by means other than electronic posting:

a. Notice of such termination and notification to the recipient that he or she may request that any documents sent during the prior 4 years solely through electronic posting be provided to him or her by other means at no cost; or

b. Notice of such termination and notification to the recipient that his or her access to the electronic account or website has been restored.

Any applicable limitations period is further tolled from the date on which any request is made pursuant to sub-subparagraph 2.a. until 20 days after the date on which the requested documents are provided to the recipient by means other than electronic posting.

(h) For purposes of this subsection, access to an electronic account or website is terminated by the sender when the sender unilaterally terminates the recipient’s ability to access the electronic website or account or to download or print any document posted on such website or account. Access is not terminated by the sender when access is terminated by an action of the recipient or by an action of the sender in response to the recipient’s request to terminate access. The recipient’s revocation of authorization pursuant to paragraph (f) is not considered a request to terminate access.

(i) This subsection does not affect or alter the duties of a trustee to keep clear, distinct, and accurate records pursuant to s. 736.0810 or affect or alter the time periods for which the trustee must maintain such records.

(j) This subsection governs the posting of a document solely for the purpose of giving notice under this code or the sending of a document to a person under this code and does not prohibit or otherwise apply to the posting of a document on an electronic account or website for any other purpose or preclude the sending of a document by any other means.

(4) Notice to a person under this code, or the sending of a document to a person under this code by electronic message, is complete when the document is sent.

(a) An electronic message is presumed received on the date that the message is sent.

(b) If the sender has knowledge that an electronic message did not reach the recipient, the electronic message is deemed to have not been received. The sender has the burden to prove that another copy of the notice or document was sent by electronic message or by other means authorized by this section.

(5) Notice under this code or the sending of a document under this code may be waived by the person to be notified or to whom the document is to be sent.

(6) Notice and service of documents in a judicial proceeding are governed by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217; s. 1, ch. 2015-176; s. 3, ch. 2018-35.

736.0110 Others 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 code if the charitable organization, on the date the charitable organization’s qualification is being determined:

(a) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal;

(b) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal on termination of the interests of other distributees or permissible distributees then receiving or eligible to receive distributions; or

(2) A person appointed to enforce a trust created for the care of an animal or another noncharitable purpose as provided in s. 736.0408 or s. 736.0409 has the rights of a qualified beneficiary under this code.

(3) The Attorney General may assert the rights of a qualified beneficiary with respect to a charitable trust having its principal place of administration in this state. The Attorney General has standing to assert such rights in any judicial proceedings.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217; s. 5, ch. 2017-155.

736.0111 Nonjudicial settlement agreements.—

(1) For purposes of this section, the term “interested persons” means persons whose interest would be affected by a settlement agreement.

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

(3) A nonjudicial settlement agreement among the trustee and trust beneficiaries is valid only to the extent the terms and conditions could be properly approved by the court. A nonjudicial settlement may not be used to produce a result not authorized by other provisions of this code, including, but not limited to, terminating or modifying a trust in an impermissible manner.

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

(a) The interpretation or construction of the terms of the trust.

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

(c) The 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 and the determination of a trustee’s compensation.

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

(f) The liability of a trustee for an action relating to the trust.

(5) Any interested person may request the court to approve or disapprove a nonjudicial settlement agreement.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217.

736.0112 Qualification of foreign trustee.—Unless otherwise doing business in this state, local qualification by a foreign trustee is not required for the trustee to receive distribution from a local estate. Nothing in this chapter shall affect the provisions of s. 660.41.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-217.

PART II

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

736.0201 Role of court in trust proceedings.

736.0202 Jurisdiction over trustee and beneficiary.

736.02025 Service of process.

736.0203 Subject matter jurisdiction.

736.0204 Venue.

736.0206 Proceedings for review of employment of agents and review of compensation of trustee and employees of trust.

736.0207 Trust contests.

736.0201 Role of court in trust proceedings.—

(1) Except as provided in subsections (5), (6), and (7) and s. 736.0206, judicial proceedings concerning trusts shall be commenced by filing a complaint and shall be governed by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

(2) The 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.

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

(4) A judicial proceeding involving a trust may relate to the validity, administration, or distribution of a trust, including proceedings to:

(a) Determine the validity of all or part of a trust;

(b) Appoint or remove a trustee;

(d) Review and settle interim or final accounts;

(e) Ascertain beneficiaries; determine any question arising in the administration or distribution of any trust, including questions of construction of trust instruments; instruct trustees; and determine the existence or nonexistence of any immunity, power, privilege, duty, or right;

(f) Obtain a declaration of rights; or

(g) Determine any other matters involving trustees and beneficiaries.

(5) A proceeding for the construction of a testamentary trust may be filed in the probate proceeding for the testator’s estate. The proceeding shall be governed by the Florida Probate Rules.

(6) Rule 1.525, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, shall apply to judicial proceedings concerning trusts, except that the following do not constitute taxation of costs or attorney fees even if the payment is for services rendered or costs incurred in a judicial proceeding:

(a) A trustee’s payment of compensation or reimbursement of costs to persons employed by the trustee from assets of the trust.

(b) A determination by the court directing from what part of the trust fees or costs shall be paid, unless the determination is made under s. 736.1004 in an action for breach of fiduciary duty or challenging the exercise of, or failure to exercise, a trustee’s powers.

(7) A proceeding to determine the homestead status of real property owned by a trust may be filed in the probate proceeding for the settlor’s estate if the settlor was treated as the owner of the interest held in the trust under s. 732.4015. The proceeding shall be governed by the Florida Probate Rules.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2006-217; s. 13, ch. 2011-183; s. 5, ch. 2021-183.

736.0202 Jurisdiction over trustee and beneficiary.—

(1) IN REM JURISDICTION.—Any beneficiary of a trust having its principal place of administration in this state is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state to the extent of the beneficiary’s interest in the trust.

(2) PERSONAL JURISDICTION.—

(a) Any trustee, trust beneficiary, or other person, whether or not a citizen or resident of this state, who personally or through an agent does any of the following acts related to a trust, submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state involving that trust:

1. Accepts trusteeship of a trust having its principal place of administration in this state at the time of acceptance.

2. Moves the principal place of administration of a trust to this state.

3. Serves as trustee of a trust created by a settlor who was a resident of this state at the time of creation of the trust or serves as trustee of a trust having its principal place of administration in this state.

4. Accepts or exercises a delegation of powers or duties from the trustee of a trust having its principal place of administration in this state.

5. Commits a breach of trust in this state, or commits a breach of trust with respect to a trust having its principal place of administration in this state at the time of the breach.

6. Accepts compensation from a trust having its principal place of administration in this state.

7. Performs any act or service for a trust having its principal place of administration in this state.

8. Accepts a distribution from a trust having its principal place of administration in this state with respect to any matter involving the distribution.

(b) A court of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a trustee, trust beneficiary, or other person, whether found within or outside the state, to the maximum extent permitted by the State Constitution or the Federal Constitution.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2006-217; s. 10, ch. 2013-172.

736.02025 Service of process.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, service of process upon any person may be made as provided in chapter 48.

(2) Where only in rem or quasi in rem relief is sought against a person in a matter involving a trust, service of process on that person may be made by sending a copy of the summons and complaint by any commercial delivery service requiring a signed receipt or by any form of mail requiring a signed receipt. Service under this subsection shall be complete upon signing of a receipt by the addressee or by any person authorized to receive service of a summons on behalf of the addressee as provided in chapter 48. Proof of service shall be by verified statement of the person serving the summons, to which must be attached the signed receipt or other evidence satisfactory to the court that delivery was made to the addressee or other authorized person.

(3) Under any of the following circumstances, service of original process pursuant to subsection (2) may be made by first-class mail:

(a) If registered or certified mail service to the addressee is unavailable and if delivery by commercial delivery service is also unavailable.

(b) If delivery is attempted and is refused by the addressee.

(4) If service of process is obtained under subsection (3), proof of service shall be made by verified statement of the person serving the summons. The verified statement must state the basis for service by first-class mail, the date of mailing, and the address to which the mail was sent.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2013-172.

736.0203 Subject matter jurisdiction.—The circuit court has original jurisdiction in this state of all proceedings arising under this code.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2006-217.

736.0204 Venue.—Venue for actions and proceedings concerning trusts, including those under s. 736.0201, may be laid in:

(1) Any county where the venue is proper under chapter 47;

(2) Any county where the beneficiary suing or being sued resides or has its principal place of business; or

(3) The county where the trust has its principal place of administration.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2006-217.

736.0206 Proceedings for review of employment of agents and review of compensation of trustee and employees of trust.—

(1) The court may review the propriety of the employment by a trustee of any person, including any attorney, auditor, investment adviser, or other specialized agent or assistant, and the reasonableness of any compensation paid to that person or to the trustee.

(2) If the settlor’s estate is being probated, and the settlor’s trust or the trustee of the settlor’s trust is a beneficiary under the settlor’s will, the trustee, any person employed by the trustee, or any interested person may have the propriety of employment and the reasonableness of the compensation of the trustee or any person employed by the trustee determined in the probate proceeding.

(3) The burden of proof of the propriety of the employment and the reasonableness of the compensation shall be on the trustee and the person employed by the trustee. Any person who is determined to have received excessive compensation from a trust for services rendered may be ordered to make appropriate refunds.

(4) Court proceedings to determine reasonable compensation of a trustee or any person employed by a trustee, if required, are a part of the trust administration process. The costs, including attorney’s fees, of the person assuming the burden of proof of propriety of the employment and reasonableness of the compensation shall be determined by the court and paid from the assets of the trust unless the court finds the compensation paid or requested to be substantially unreasonable. The court shall direct from which part of the trust assets the compensation shall be paid.

(5) The court may determine reasonable compensation for a trustee or any person employed by a trustee without receiving expert testimony. Any party may offer expert testimony after notice to interested persons. If expert testimony is offered, a reasonable expert witness fee may be awarded by the court and paid from the assets of the trust unless the court finds that the expert testimony did not assist the court. The court shall direct from which part of the trust assets the fee shall be paid.

(6) In a proceeding pursuant to subsection (2), the petitioner may serve formal notice as provided in the Florida Probate Rules, and such notice shall be sufficient for the court to acquire jurisdiction over the person receiving the notice to the extent of the person’s interest in the trust.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2006-217; s. 3, ch. 2010-122.

736.0207 Trust contests.—

(1) In an action to contest the validity or revocation of all or part of a trust, the contestant has the burden of establishing the grounds for invalidity.

(2) An action to contest the validity of all or part of a revocable trust, or the revocation of part of a revocable trust, may not be commenced until the trust becomes irrevocable by its terms or by the settlor’s death. If all of a revocable trust has been revoked, an action to contest the revocation may not be commenced until after the settlor’s death. This section does not prohibit such action by the guardian of the property of an incapacitated settlor.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2006-217; s. 9, ch. 2011-183; s. 7, ch. 2014-127.

PART III

REPRESENTATION

736.0301 Representation; basic effect.

736.0302 Representation by holder of power of appointment.

736.0303 Representation by fiduciaries and parents.

736.0304 Representation by person having substantially identical interest.

736.0305 Appointment of representative.

736.0306 Designated representative.

736.0301 Representation; basic effect.—

(1) Notice, information, accountings, or reports given to a person who may represent and bind another person under this part may serve as a substitute for and have the same effect as notice, information, accountings, or reports given directly to the other person.

(2) Actions taken by a person who represents the interests of another person under this part are binding on the person whose interests are represented to the same extent as if the actions had been taken by the person whose interests are represented.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in s. 736.0602, a person under this part who represents a settlor lacking capacity may receive notice and give a binding consent on the settlor’s behalf.

(4) A trustee is not liable for giving notice, information, accountings, or reports to a beneficiary who is represented by another person under this part, and nothing in this part prohibits the trustee from giving notice, information, accountings, or reports to the person represented.

History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-217.

736.0302 Representation by holder of power of appointment.—

(1) The holder of a power of appointment may represent and bind persons whose interests, as permissible appointees, takers in default, or otherwise, are subject to the power.

(2) The takers in default of the exercise of a power of appointment may represent and bind persons whose interests, as permissible appointees, are subject to the power.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to:

(a) Any matter determined by the court to involve fraud or bad faith by the trustee; or

(b) A power of appointment held by a person while the person is the sole trustee.

(4) As used in this section, the term “power of appointment” does not include a power of a trustee to make discretionary distributions of trust property.

History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-217; s. 3, ch. 2009-117.

736.0303 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 guardian of the property may represent and bind the estate that the guardian of the property 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.

(5) A parent may represent and bind the parent’s unborn child, or the parent’s minor child if a guardian of the property for the minor child has not been appointed.

History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-217.

736.0304 Representation by person having substantially identical interest.—Unless otherwise represented, a minor, incapacitated, 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.

History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-217.

736.0305 Appointment of representative.—

(1) If the court determines that an interest is not represented under this part, or that the otherwise available representation might be inadequate, the court may appoint a representative to receive notice, give consent, and otherwise represent, bind, and act on behalf of a minor, incapacitated, or unborn individual, or a person whose identity or location is unknown. If not precluded by a conflict of interest, a representative may be appointed to represent several persons or interests.

(2) A representative may act on behalf of the individual represented with respect to any matter arising under this code, whether or not a judicial proceeding concerning the trust is pending.

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

History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-217.

736.0306 Designated representative.—

(1) If specifically nominated in the trust instrument, one or more persons may be designated to represent and bind a beneficiary and receive any notice, information, accounting, or report. The trust instrument may also authorize any person or persons, other than a trustee of the trust, to designate one or more persons to represent and bind a beneficiary and receive any notice, information, accounting, or report.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this code, a person designated, as provided in subsection (1) may not represent and bind a beneficiary while that person is serving as trustee.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this code, a person designated, as provided in subsection (1) may not represent and bind another beneficiary if the person designated also is a beneficiary, unless:

(a) That person was named by the settlor; or

(b) That person is the beneficiary’s spouse or a grandparent or descendant of a grandparent of the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s spouse.

(4) No person designated, as provided in subsection (1), is liable to the beneficiary whose interests are represented, or to anyone claiming through that beneficiary, for any actions or omissions to act made in good faith.

History.—s. 3, ch. 2006-217; s. 4, ch. 2009-117.

PART IV

CREATION, VALIDITY, MODIFICATION,
AND TERMINATION

736.0401 Methods of creating trust.

736.0402 Requirements for creation.

736.0403 Trusts created in other jurisdictions; formalities required for revocable trusts.

736.0404 Trust purposes.

736.0405 Charitable purposes; enforcement.

736.0406 Effect of fraud, duress, mistake, or undue influence.

736.0407 Evidence of oral trust.

736.0408 Trust for care of an animal.

736.0409 Noncharitable trust without ascertainable beneficiary.

736.0410 Modification or termination of trust; proceedings for disapproval of nonjudicial acts.

736.04113 Judicial modification of irrevocable trust when modification is not inconsistent with settlor’s purpose.

736.04114 Limited judicial construction of irrevocable trust with federal tax provisions.

736.04115 Judicial modification of irrevocable trust when modification is in best interests of beneficiaries.

736.04117 Trustee’s power to invade principal in trust.

736.0412 Nonjudicial modification of irrevocable trust.

736.0413 Cy pres.

736.0414 Modification or termination of uneconomic trust.

736.0415 Reformation to correct mistakes.

736.0416 Modification to achieve settlor’s tax objectives.

736.0417 Combination and division of trusts.

736.0401 Methods of creating trust.—A trust may be created by:

(1) Transfer of property to another person as trustee during the settlor’s lifetime or by will or other disposition taking effect on the settlor’s death;

(2) Declaration by the owner of property that the owner holds identifiable property as trustee; or

(3) Exercise of a power of appointment in favor of a trustee.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0402 Requirements for creation.—

(1) A trust is created only if:

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

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

1. A charitable trust;

2. A trust for the care of an animal, as provided in s. 736.0408; or

3. A trust for a noncharitable purpose, as provided in s. 736.0409.

(d) The trustee has duties to perform.

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

(2) A beneficiary is definite if the beneficiary can be ascertained now or in the future, 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.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0403 Trusts created in other jurisdictions; formalities required for revocable trusts.—

(1) A trust not created by will is validly created if the creation of the trust complies with the law of the jurisdiction in which the trust instrument was executed or the law of the jurisdiction in which, at the time of creation, the settlor was domiciled.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1):

(a) No trust or confidence of or in any messuages, lands, tenements, or hereditaments shall arise or result unless the trust complies with the provisions of s. 689.05.

(b) The testamentary aspects of a revocable trust, executed by a settlor who is a domiciliary of this state at the time of execution, are invalid unless the trust instrument is executed by the settlor with the formalities required for the execution of a will in this state. For purposes of this subsection, the term “testamentary aspects” means those provisions of the trust instrument that dispose of the trust property on or after the death of the settlor other than to the settlor’s estate.

(3) Paragraph (2)(b) does not apply to trusts established as part of an employee annuity described in s. 403 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, an individual retirement account as described in s. 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, a Keogh (HR-10) Plan, or a retirement or other plan that is qualified under s. 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(4) Paragraph (2)(b) applies to trusts created on or after the effective date of this code. Former s. 737.111, as in effect prior to the effective date of this code, continues to apply to trusts created before the effective date of this code.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217; s. 103, ch. 2019-3.

736.0404 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.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217; s. 4, ch. 2018-35.

736.0405 Charitable purposes; enforcement.—

(1) A trust may be created for charitable purposes. Charitable purposes include, but are not limited to, the relief of poverty; the advancement of arts, sciences, education, or religion; and the promotion of health, governmental, or municipal purposes.

(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 intent to the extent such intent can be ascertained.

(3) The settlor of a charitable trust, among others, has standing to enforce the trust.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0406 Effect of fraud, duress, mistake, or undue influence.— If the creation, amendment, or restatement of a trust is procured by fraud, duress, mistake, or undue influence, the trust or any part so procured is void. The remainder of the trust not procured by such means is valid if the remainder is not invalid for other reasons. If the revocation of a trust, or any part thereof, is procured by fraud, duress, mistake, or undue influence, such revocation is void.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217; s. 10, ch. 2011-183.

736.0407 Evidence of oral trust.—Except as required by s. 736.0403 or a law other than this code, a trust need not be evidenced by a trust instrument but the creation of an oral trust and its terms may be established only by clear and convincing evidence.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0408 Trust for care of an animal.—

(1) A trust may be created to provide for the care of an animal alive during the settlor’s lifetime. The trust terminates on the death of the animal or, if the trust was created to provide for the care of more than one animal alive during the settlor’s lifetime, on the death of the last surviving animal.

(2) A trust authorized by this section may be enforced by a person appointed in the terms of the trust or, if no person is appointed, 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.

(3) Property of a trust authorized by this section may be applied only to the intended use of the property, except to the extent the court determines that the value of the trust property exceeds the amount required for the intended use. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the trust, property not required for the intended use must be distributed to the settlor, if then living, otherwise as part of the settlor’s estate.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0409 Noncharitable trust without ascertainable beneficiary.—Except as otherwise provided in s. 736.0408 or by another provision of law, the following rules apply:

(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 21 years.

(2) A trust authorized by this section may be enforced by a person appointed in the terms of the trust or, if no person is appointed, by a person appointed by the court.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0410 Modification or termination of trust; proceedings for disapproval of nonjudicial acts.—

(1) In addition to the methods of termination prescribed by ss. 736.04113-736.0414, a trust terminates to the extent the trust expires or is revoked or is properly distributed pursuant to the terms of the trust.

(2) A proceeding to disapprove a proposed modification or termination under s. 736.0412 or a trust combination or division under s. 736.0417 may be commenced by any beneficiary.

(3) A proceeding to disapprove a proposed termination under s. 736.0414(1) may be commenced by any qualified beneficiary.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.04113 Judicial modification of irrevocable trust when modification is not inconsistent with settlor’s purpose.—

(1) Upon the application of a trustee of the trust or any qualified beneficiary, a court at any time may modify the terms of a trust that is not then revocable in the manner provided in subsection (2), if:

(a) The purposes of the trust have been fulfilled or have become illegal, impossible, wasteful, or impracticable to fulfill;

(b) Because of circumstances not anticipated by the settlor, compliance with the terms of the trust would defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of a material purpose of the trust; or

(2) In modifying a trust under this section, a court may:

(a) Amend or change the terms of the trust, including terms governing distribution of the trust income or principal or terms governing administration of the trust;

(b) Terminate the trust in whole or in part;

(d) Prohibit the trustee from performing acts that are permitted or required by the terms of the trust.

(3) In exercising discretion to modify a trust under this section:

(a) The court shall consider the terms and purposes of the trust, the facts and circumstances surrounding the creation of the trust, and extrinsic evidence relevant to the proposed modification.

(b) The court shall consider spendthrift provisions as a factor in making a decision, but the court is not precluded from modifying a trust because the trust contains spendthrift provisions.

(4) The provisions of this section are in addition to, and not in derogation of, rights under the common law to modify, amend, terminate, or revoke trusts.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.04114 Limited judicial construction of irrevocable trust with federal tax provisions.—

(1) Upon the application of a trustee or any qualified beneficiary of a trust, a court at any time may construe the terms of a trust that is not then revocable to define the respective shares or determine beneficiaries, in accordance with the intention of the settlor, if a disposition occurs during the applicable period and the trust contains a provision that:

(a) Includes a formula disposition referring to the “unified credit,” “estate tax exemption,” “applicable exemption amount,” “applicable credit amount,” “applicable exclusion amount,” “generation-skipping transfer tax exemption,” “GST exemption,” “marital deduction,” “maximum marital deduction,” “unlimited marital deduction,” or “maximum charitable deduction”;

(b) Measures a share of a trust based on the amount that can pass free of federal estate tax or the amount that can pass free of federal generation-skipping transfer tax;

(c) Otherwise makes a disposition referring to a charitable deduction, marital deduction, or another provision of federal estate tax or generation-skipping transfer tax law; or

(d) Appears to be intended to reduce or minimize federal estate tax or generation-skipping transfer tax.

(2) For the purpose of this section:

(a) “Applicable period” means a period beginning January 1, 2010, and ending on the end of the day on the earlier of:

1. December 31, 2010; or

2. The day before the date that an act becomes law which repeals or otherwise modifies or has the effect of repealing or modifying s. 901 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.

(b) A “disposition occurs” when an interest takes effect in possession or enjoyment.

(3) In construing the trust, the court shall consider the terms and purposes of the trust, the facts and circumstances surrounding the creation of the trust, and the settlor’s probable intent. In determining the settlor’s probable intent, the court may consider evidence relevant to the settlor’s intent even though the evidence contradicts an apparent plain meaning of the trust instrument.

(4) This section does not apply to a disposition that is specifically conditioned upon no federal estate or generation-skipping transfer tax being imposed.

(5) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, during the applicable period and without court order, the trustee administering a trust containing one or more provisions described in subsection (1) may:

(a) Delay or refrain from making any distribution;

(b) Incur and pay fees and costs reasonably necessary to determine its duties and obligations, including compliance with provisions of existing and reasonably anticipated future federal tax laws; and

The trustee is not liable for its actions as provided in this subsection which are made or taken in good faith.

(6) The provisions of this section are in addition to, and not in derogation of, rights under this code or the common law to construe a trust.

(7) This section is remedial in order to provide a new or modified legal remedy. This section applies retroactively and is effective as of January 1, 2010.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2010-122.

736.04115 Judicial modification of irrevocable trust when modification is in best interests of beneficiaries.—

(1) Without regard to the reasons for modification provided in s. 736.04113, if compliance with the terms of a trust is not in the best interests of the beneficiaries, upon the application of a trustee or any qualified beneficiary, a court may at any time modify a trust that is not then revocable as provided in s. 736.04113(2).

(2) In exercising discretion to modify a trust under this section:

(a) The court shall exercise discretion in a manner that conforms to the extent possible with the intent of the settlor, taking into account the current circumstances and best interests of the beneficiaries.

(b) The court shall consider the terms and purposes of the trust, the facts and circumstances surrounding the creation of the trust, and extrinsic evidence relevant to the proposed modification.

(c) The court shall consider spendthrift provisions as a factor in making a decision, but the court is not precluded from modifying a trust because the trust contains spendthrift provisions.

(3) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Any trust created prior to January 1, 2001.

(b) Any trust created after December 31, 2000, if:

1. Under the terms of the trust, all beneficial interests in the trust must vest or terminate within the period prescribed by the rule against perpetuities in s. 689.225(2), notwithstanding s. 689.225(2)(f).

2. The terms of the trust expressly prohibit judicial modification.

(4) For purposes of subsection (3), a revocable trust shall be treated as created when the right of revocation terminates.

(5) The provisions of this section are in addition to, and not in derogation of, rights under the common law to modify, amend, terminate, or revoke trusts.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.04117 Trustee’s power to invade principal in trust.—

(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Absolute power” means a power to invade principal that is not limited to specific or ascertainable purposes, such as health, education, maintenance, and support, regardless of whether the term “absolute” is used. A power to invade principal for purposes such as best interests, welfare, comfort, or happiness constitutes an absolute power not limited to specific or ascertainable purposes.

(b) “Authorized trustee” means a trustee, other than the settlor or a beneficiary, who has the power to invade the principal of a trust.

(c) “Beneficiary with a disability” means a beneficiary of the first trust who the authorized trustee believes may qualify for government benefits based on disability, regardless of whether the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or has been adjudicated incapacitated.

(d) “Current beneficiary” means a beneficiary who, on the date his or her qualification is determined, is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. The term includes the holder of a presently exercisable general power of appointment but does not include a person who is a beneficiary only because he or she holds another power of appointment.

(e) “Government benefits” means financial aid or services from any state, federal, or other public agency.

(f) “Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(g) “Power of appointment” has the same meaning as provided in s. 731.201.

(h) “Presently exercisable general power of appointment” means a power of appointment exercisable by the power holder at the relevant time. The term:

1. Includes a power of appointment that is exercisable only after the occurrence of a specified event or that is subject to a specified restriction, but only after the event has occurred or the restriction has been satisfied.

2. Does not include a power of appointment that is exercisable only upon the death of the power holder.

(i) “Substantially similar” means that there is no material change in a beneficiary’s beneficial interests or in the power to make distributions and that the power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to the power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is deemed to be for the benefit of a beneficiary if:

1. The distribution is applied for the benefit of a beneficiary;

2. The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this code; or

3. The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first trust instrument and the second trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.

(j) “Supplemental needs trust” means a trust that the authorized trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether the beneficiary who has a disability is eligible for government benefits.

(k) “Vested interest” means a current unconditional right to receive a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of a trust, or a current unconditional right to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of a trust, which right is not subject to the occurrence of a specified event, the passage of a specified time, or the exercise of discretion.

1. The term includes a presently exercisable general power of appointment.

2. The term does not include a beneficiary’s interest in a trust if the trustee has discretion to make a distribution of trust property to a person other than such beneficiary.

(2) DISTRIBUTION FROM FIRST TRUST TO SECOND TRUST WHEN AUTHORIZED TRUSTEE HAS ABSOLUTE POWER TO INVADE.—

(a) Unless a trust instrument expressly provides otherwise, an authorized trustee who has absolute power under the terms of the trust to invade its principal, referred to in this section as the “first trust,” to make current distributions to or for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries may instead exercise such power by appointing all or part of the principal of the trust subject to such power in favor of a trustee of one or more other trusts, whether created under the same trust instrument as the first trust or a different trust instrument, including a trust instrument created for the purposes of exercising the power granted by this section, each referred to in this section as the “second trust,” for the current benefit of one or more of such beneficiaries only if:

1. The beneficiaries of the second trust include only beneficiaries of the first trust; and

2. The second trust does not reduce any vested interest.

(b) In an exercise of absolute power, the second trust may:

1. Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust;

2. Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment;

3. Create or modify a power of appointment if the power holder is a current beneficiary of the first trust;

4. Create or modify a power of appointment if the power holder is a beneficiary of the first trust who is not a current beneficiary, but the exercise of the power of appointment may take effect only after the power holder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary of the first trust; and

5. Extend the term of the second trust beyond the term of the first trust.

(c) The class of permissible appointees in favor of which a created or modified power of appointment may be exercised may differ from the class identified in the first trust.

(3) DISTRIBUTION FROM FIRST TRUST TO SECOND TRUST WHEN AUTHORIZED TRUSTEE DOES NOT HAVE ABSOLUTE POWER TO INVADE.—Unless the trust instrument expressly provides otherwise, an authorized trustee who has a power, other than an absolute power, under the terms of a first trust to invade principal to make current distributions to or for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries may instead exercise such power by appointing all or part of the principal of the first trust subject to such power in favor of a trustee of one or more second trusts. If the authorized trustee exercises such power:

(a) The second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust.

(b) If the first trust grants a power of appointment to a beneficiary of the first trust, the second trust shall grant such power of appointment in the second trust to such beneficiary, and the class of permissible appointees shall be the same as in the first trust.

(c) If the first trust does not grant a power of appointment to a beneficiary of the first trust, the second trust may not grant a power of appointment in the second trust to such beneficiary.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), the term of the second trust may extend beyond the term of the first trust, and, for any period after the first trust would have otherwise terminated, in whole or in part, under the provisions of the first trust, the trust instrument of the second trust may, with respect to property subject to such extended term:

1. Include language providing the trustee with the absolute power to invade the principal of the second trust during such extended term; and

2. Create a power of appointment, if the power holder is a current beneficiary of the first trust, or expand the class of permissible appointees in favor of which a power of appointment may be exercised.

(4) DISTRIBUTION FROM FIRST TRUST TO SUPPLEMENTAL NEEDS TRUST.—

(a) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), unless the trust instrument expressly provides otherwise, an authorized trustee who has the power under the terms of a first trust to invade the principal of the first trust to make current distributions to or for the benefit of a beneficiary with a disability may instead exercise such power by appointing all or part of the principal of the first trust in favor of a trustee of a second trust that is a supplemental needs trust if:

1. The supplemental needs trust benefits the beneficiary with a disability;

2. The beneficiaries of the second trust include only beneficiaries of the first trust; and

3. The authorized trustee determines that the exercise of such power will further the purposes of the first trust.

(b) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trusts, in the aggregate, shall grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to such other beneficiary’s beneficial interests in the first trust.

(5) PROHIBITED DISTRIBUTIONS.—

(a) An authorized trustee may not distribute the principal of a trust under this section in a manner that would prevent a contribution to that trust from qualifying for, or that would reduce a federal tax benefit, including a federal tax exclusion or deduction, which was originally claimed or could have been claimed for that contribution, including:

1. An exclusion under s. 2503(b) or s. 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;

2. A marital deduction under s. 2056, s. 2056A, or s. 2523 of the Internal Revenue Code;

3. A charitable deduction under s. 170(a), s. 642(c), s. 2055(a), or s. 2522(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;

4. Direct skip treatment under s. 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; or

5. Any other tax benefit for income, gift, estate, or generation-skipping transfer tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code.

(b) If S corporation stock is held in the first trust, an authorized trustee may not distribute all or part of that stock to a second trust that is not a permitted shareholder under s. 1361(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the first trust holds stock in an S corporation and is, or but for provisions of paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) would be, a qualified subchapter S trust within the meaning of s. 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, the second trust instrument may not include or omit a term that prevents it from qualifying as a qualified subchapter S trust.

(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (a), (b), and (d), an authorized trustee may distribute the principal of a first trust to a second trust regardless of whether the settlor is treated as the owner of either trust under ss. 671-679 of the Internal Revenue Code; however, if the settlor is not treated as the owner of the first trust, he or she may not be treated as the owner of the second trust unless he or she at all times has the power to cause the second trust to cease being treated as if it were owned by the settlor.

(d) If an interest in property which is subject to the minimum distribution rules of s. 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code is held in trust, an authorized trustee may not distribute such an interest to a second trust under subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4) if the distribution would shorten the otherwise applicable maximum distribution period.

(6) EXERCISE BY WRITING.—The exercise of a power to invade principal under subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4) must be by a written instrument signed and acknowledged by the authorized trustee and filed with the records of the first trust.

(7) RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE OF POWER.—The exercise of a power to invade principal under subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4):

(a) Is considered the exercise of a power of appointment, excluding a power to appoint to the authorized trustee, the authorized trustee’s creditors, the authorized trustee’s estate, or the creditors of the authorized trustee’s estate.

(b) Is subject to the provisions of s. 689.225 covering the time at which the permissible period of the rule against perpetuities begins and the law that determines the permissible period of the rule against perpetuities of the first trust.

(d) May not:

1. Increase the authorized trustee’s compensation beyond the compensation specified in the first trust instrument; or

2. Relieve the authorized trustee from liability for breach of trust or provide for indemnification of the authorized trustee for any liability or claim to a greater extent than the first trust instrument; however, the exercise of the power may divide and reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries and relieve a fiduciary from liability for an act or failure to act of another fiduciary as otherwise allowed under law or common law.

(8) NOTICE.—

(a) The authorized trustee shall provide written notification of the manner in which he or she intends to exercise his or her power to invade principal to all of the following parties at least 60 days before the effective date of the authorized trustee’s exercise of such power pursuant to subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4):

1. All qualified beneficiaries of the first trust.

2. If paragraph (5)(c) applies, the settlor of the first trust.

3. All trustees of the first trust.

4. Any person who has the power to remove or replace the authorized trustee of the first trust.

(b) The authorized trustee’s obligation to provide notice under this subsection is satisfied when he or she provides copies of the proposed instrument exercising the power, the trust instrument of the first trust, and the proposed trust instrument of the second trust.

(c) If all of those required to be notified waive the notice period by signed written instrument delivered to the authorized trustee, the authorized trustee’s power to invade principal shall be exercisable immediately.

(d) The authorized trustee’s notice under this subsection does not limit the right of any beneficiary to object to the exercise of the authorized trustee’s power to invade principal except as otherwise provided in other applicable provisions of this code.

(9) INAPPLICABILITY OF SPENDTHRIFT CLAUSE OR OTHER PROHIBITION.—The exercise of the power to invade principal under subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4) is not prohibited by a spendthrift clause or by a provision in the trust instrument that prohibits amendment or revocation of the trust.

(10) NO DUTY TO EXERCISE.—Nothing in this section is intended to create or imply a duty to exercise a power to invade principal, and no inference of impropriety may be made as a result of an authorized trustee’s failure to exercise the power to invade principal conferred under subsections (2), (3), and (4).

(11) NO ABRIDGEMENT OF COMMON LAW RIGHTS.—This section may not be construed to abridge the right of any trustee who has a power of invasion to appoint property in further trust that arises under the terms of the first trust or under any other section of this code or under another provision of law or under common law.

History.—s. 2, ch. 2007-153; s. 5, ch. 2018-35.

736.0412 Nonjudicial modification of irrevocable trust.—

(1) After the settlor’s death, a trust may be modified at any time as provided in s. 736.04113(2) upon the unanimous agreement of the trustee and all qualified beneficiaries.

(2) Modification of a trust as authorized in this section is not prohibited by a spendthrift clause or by a provision in the trust instrument that prohibits amendment or revocation of the trust.

(3) An agreement to modify a trust under this section is binding on a beneficiary whose interest is represented by another person under part III of this code.

(4) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Any trust created prior to January 1, 2001.

(b) Any trust created after December 31, 2000, if, under the terms of the trust, all beneficial interests in the trust must vest or terminate within the period prescribed by the rule against perpetuities in s. 689.225(2), notwithstanding s. 689.225(2)(f), unless the terms of the trust expressly authorize nonjudicial modification.

(c) Any trust for which a charitable deduction is allowed or allowable under the Internal Revenue Code until the termination of all charitable interests in the trust.

(5) For purposes of subsection (4), a revocable trust shall be treated as created when the right of revocation terminates.

(6) The provisions of this section are in addition to, and not in derogation of, rights under the common law to modify, amend, terminate, or revoke trusts.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0413 Cy pres.—

(1) If a particular charitable purpose becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful, the court may apply the doctrine of 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) A proceeding to modify or terminate a trust under this section may be commenced by a settlor, a trustee, or any qualified beneficiary.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0414 Modification or termination of uneconomic trust.—

(1) After notice to the qualified beneficiaries, the trustee of a trust consisting of trust property having a total value less than $50,000 may terminate the trust if the trustee concludes that the value of the trust property is insufficient to justify the cost of administration.

(2) Upon application of a trustee or any qualified beneficiary, the court may modify or terminate a trust or remove the trustee and appoint a different trustee if the court determines 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. The trustee may enter into agreements or make such other provisions that the trustee deems necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the beneficiaries and the trustee and to carry out the intent and purposes of the trust.

(4) The existence of a spendthrift provision in the trust does not make this section inapplicable unless the trust instrument expressly provides that the trustee may not terminate the trust pursuant to this section.

(5) This section does not apply to an easement for conservation or preservation.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0415 Reformation to correct mistakes.—Upon application of a settlor or any interested person, the court may reform the terms of a trust, even if unambiguous, to conform the terms to the settlor’s intent if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that both the accomplishment of the settlor’s intent and the terms of the trust were affected by a mistake of fact or law, whether in expression or inducement. In determining the settlor’s original intent, the court may consider evidence relevant to the settlor’s intent even though the evidence contradicts an apparent plain meaning of the trust instrument.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0416 Modification to achieve settlor’s tax objectives.—Upon application of any interested person, to achieve the settlor’s tax objectives the court may modify the terms of a trust in a manner that is not contrary to the settlor’s probable intent. The court may provide that the modification has retroactive effect.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

736.0417 Combination and division of trusts.—

(1) After notice to the qualified beneficiaries, a trustee may combine two or more trusts into a single trust or divide a trust into two or more separate trusts, if the result does not impair rights of any beneficiary or adversely affect achievement of the purposes of the trusts or trust, respectively.

(2) Subject to the terms of the trust, the trustee may take into consideration differences in federal tax attributes and other pertinent factors in administering the trust property of any separate account or trust, in making applicable tax elections, and in making distributions. A separate trust created by severance must be treated as a separate trust for all purposes from the date on which the severance is effective. The effective date of the severance may be retroactive to a date before the date on which the trustee exercises such power.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-217.

PART V

CREDITORS’ CLAIMS; SPENDTHRIFT
AND DISCRETIONARY TRUSTS

736.0501 Rights of beneficiary’s creditor or assignee.

736.0502 Spendthrift provision.

736.0503 Exceptions to spendthrift provision.

736.0504 Discretionary trusts; effect of standard.

736.0505 Creditors’ claims against settlor.

736.05053 Trustee’s duty to pay expenses and obligations of settlor’s estate.

736.05055 Notice of trust.

736.0506 Overdue distribution.

736.0507 Personal obligations of trustee.

736.0501 Rights of beneficiary’s creditor or assignee.—Except as provided in s. 736.0504, to the extent a beneficiary’s interest is not subject to a spendthrift provision, the court may authorize a creditor or assignee of the beneficiary to reach the beneficiary’s interest by attachment of 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.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217; s. 11, ch. 2007-153.

736.0502 Spendthrift provision.—

(1) A spendthrift provision is valid only if the provision restrains both voluntary and involuntary transfer of a beneficiary’s interest. This subsection does not apply to any trust the terms of which are included in an instrument executed before the effective date of this code.

(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 and, except as otherwise provided in this part, a creditor or assignee of the beneficiary may not reach the interest or a distribution by the trustee before receipt of the interest or distribution by the beneficiary.

(4) A valid spendthrift provision does not prevent the appointment of interests through the exercise of a power of appointment.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217; s. 12, ch. 2007-153.

736.0503 Exceptions to spendthrift provision.—

(1) As used in this section, the term “child” includes any person for whom an order or judgment for child support has been entered in this or any other state.

(2) To the extent provided in subsection (3), a spendthrift provision is unenforceable against:

(a) A beneficiary’s child, spouse, or former spouse who has a judgment or court order against the beneficiary for support or maintenance.

(b) A judgment creditor who has provided services for the protection of a beneficiary’s interest in the trust.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and in s. 736.0504, a claimant against which a spendthrift provision may not be enforced may obtain from a court, or pursuant to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, an order attaching present or future distributions to or for the benefit of the beneficiary. The court may limit the award to such relief as is appropriate under the circumstances. Notwithstanding this subsection, the remedies provided in this subsection apply to a claim by a beneficiary’s child, spouse, former spouse, or a judgment creditor described in paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b) only as a last resort upon an initial showing that traditional methods of enforcing the claim are insufficient.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217; s. 13, ch. 2007-153.

736.0504 Discretionary trusts; effect of standard.—

(1) As used in this section, the term “discretionary distribution” means a distribution that is subject to the trustee’s discretion whether or not the discretion is expressed in the form of a standard of distribution and whether or not the trustee has abused the discretion.

(2) Whether or not a trust contains a spendthrift provision, if a trustee may make discretionary distributions to or for the benefit of a beneficiary, a creditor of the beneficiary, including a creditor as described in s. 736.0503(2), may not:

(a) Compel a distribution that is subject to the trustee’s discretion; or

(b) Attach or otherwise reach the interest, if any, which the beneficiary might have as a result of the trustee’s authority to make discretionary distributions to or for the benefit of the beneficiary.

(3) If the trustee’s discretion to make distributions for the trustee’s own benefit is limited by an ascertainable standard, a creditor may not reach or compel distribution of the beneficial interest except to the extent the interest would be subject to the creditor’s claim were the beneficiary not acting as trustee.

(4) This section does not limit the right of a beneficiary to maintain a judicial proceeding against a trustee for an abuse of discretion or failure to comply with a standard for distribution.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217; s. 14, ch. 2007-153.

736.0505 Creditors’ claims against settlor.—

(1) Whether or not the terms of a trust contain a spendthrift provision, the following rules apply:

(a) The property of a revocable trust is subject to the claims of the settlor’s creditors during the settlor’s lifetime to the extent the property would not otherwise be exempt by law if owned directly by the settlor.

(b) With respect to an irrevocable trust, a creditor or assignee of the settlor may reach the maximum amount that can be distributed to or for the settlor’s benefit. If a 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) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b), 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 directly to the taxing authorities or to reimburse the settlor for any tax on trust income or principal which is payable by the settlor under the law imposing such tax.

(2) For purposes of this section:

(a) During the period the power may be exercised, the holder of a power of withdrawal is treated in the same manner as the settlor of a revocable trust to the extent of the property subject to the power.

(b) Upon the lapse, release, or waiver of the power, the holder is treated as the settlor of the trust only to the extent the value of the property affected by the lapse, release, or waiver exceeds the greater of the amount specified in:

1. Section 2041(b)(2) or s. 2514(e); or

2. Section 2503(b) and, if the donor was married at the time of the transfer to which the power of withdrawal applies, twice the amount specified in s. 2503(b),

of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(3) Subject to the provisions of s. 726.105, for purposes of this section, the assets in:

(a) A trust described in s. 2523(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or a trust for which the election described in s. 2523(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, has been made; and

(b) Another trust, to the extent that the assets in the other trust are attributable to a trust described in paragraph (a),

shall, after the death of the settlor’s spouse, be deemed to have been contributed by the settlor’s spouse and not by the settlor.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217; s. 5, ch. 2010-122.

736.05053 Trustee’s duty to pay expenses and obligations of settlor’s estate.—

(1) A trustee of a trust described in s. 733.707(3) shall pay to the personal representative of a settlor’s estate any amounts that the personal representative certifies in writing to the trustee are required to pay the expenses of the administration and obligations of the settlor’s estate. Payments made by a trustee, unless otherwise provided in the trust instrument, must be charged as expenses of the trust without a contribution from anyone. The interests of all beneficiaries of such a trust are subject to the provisions of this subsection; however, the payments must be made from assets, property, or the proceeds of the assets or property that are included in the settlor’s gross estate for federal estate tax purposes and may not be made from assets proscribed in s. 733.707(3) or death benefits described in s. 733.808(4) unless the trust instrument expressly refers to s. 733.808(4) and directs that it does not apply.

(2) Unless a settlor provides by will, or designates in a trust described in s. 733.707(3) funds or property passing under the trust to be used as designated, the expenses of the administration and obligations of the settlor’s estate must be paid from the trust in the following order:

(a) Property of the residue of the trust remaining after all distributions that are to be satisfied by reference to a specific property or type of property, fund, or sum.

(b) Property that is not to be distributed from specified or identified property or a specified or identified item of property.

(c) Property that is to be distributed from specified or identified property or a specified or identified item of property.

(3) Trust distributions that are to be satisfied from specified or identified property must be classed as distributions to be satisfied from the general assets of the trust and not otherwise disposed of in the trust instrument on the failure or insufficiency of funds or property from which payment should be made, to the extent of the insufficiency. Trust distributions given for valuable consideration abate with other distributions of the same class only to the extent of the excess over the value of the consideration until all others of the same class are exhausted. Except as provided in this section, trust distributions abate equally and ratably and without preference or priority between real and personal property. When a specified or identified item of property that has been designated for distribution in the trust instrument or that is charged with a distribution is sold or taken by the trustee, other beneficiaries shall contribute according to their respective interests to the beneficiary whose property has been sold or taken. Before distribution, the trustee shall determine the amounts of the respective contributions and such amounts must be paid or withheld before distribution is made.

(4) The trustee shall pay the expenses of trust administration, including compensation of trustees and attorneys of the trustees, before and in preference to the expenses of the administration and obligations of the settlor’s estate.

(5) Nonresiduary trust dispositions shall abate pro rata with nonresiduary devises pursuant to the priorities specified in this section and s. 733.805, determined as if the beneficiaries of the will and trust, other than the estate or trust itself, were taking under a common instrument.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217; s. 6, ch. 2010-122; s. 9, ch. 2014-127.

736.05055 Notice of trust.—

(1) Upon the death of a settlor of a trust described in s. 733.707(3), the trustee must file a notice of trust with the court of the county of the settlor’s domicile and the court having jurisdiction of the settlor’s estate.

(2) The notice of trust must contain the name of the settlor, the settlor’s date of death, the title of the trust, if any, the date of the trust, and the name and address of the trustee.

(3) If the settlor’s probate proceeding has been commenced, the clerk shall notify the trustee in writing of the date of the commencement of the probate proceeding and the file number.

(4) The clerk shall file and index the notice of trust in the same manner as a caveat unless there exists a probate proceeding for the settlor’s estate, in which case the notice of trust must be filed in the probate proceeding and the clerk shall send a copy to the personal representative.

(5) The clerk shall send a copy of any caveat filed regarding the settlor to the trustee, and the notice of trust to any caveator, unless there is a probate proceeding pending and the personal representative and the trustee are the same.

(6) Any proceeding affecting the expenses of the administration or obligations of the settlor’s estate prior to the trustee filing a notice of trust are binding on the trustee.

(7) The trustee’s failure to file the notice of trust does not affect the trustee’s obligation to pay expenses of administration and obligations of the settlor’s estate as provided in s. 733.607(2).

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217.

736.0506 Overdue distribution.—

(1) As used in this section, the term “mandatory distribution” means a distribution of income or principal the trustee is required to make to a beneficiary under the terms of the trust, including a distribution on termination of the trust. The term does not include a distribution subject to the exercise of the trustee’s discretion, even if:

(a) The discretion is expressed in the form of a standard of distribution; or

(b) The terms of the trust authorizing a distribution couple language of discretion with language of direction.

(2) 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, whether or not a trust contains a spendthrift provision.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217.

736.0507 Personal obligations of trustee.—Except to the extent of the trustee’s interest in the trust other than as a trustee, trust property is not subject to personal obligations of the trustee, even if the trustee becomes insolvent or bankrupt.

History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-217.

PART VI

REVOCABLE TRUSTS

736.0601 Capacity of settlor of revocable trust.

736.0602 Revocation or amendment of revocable trust.

736.0603 Settlor’s powers; powers of withdrawal.

736.0604 Limitation on action contesting validity of revocable trust.

736.0601 Capacity of settlor of revocable trust.—The capacity required to create, amend, revoke, or add property to a revocable trust, or to direct the actions of the trustee of a revocable trust, is the same as that required to make a will.

History.—s. 6, ch. 2006-217.

736.0602 Revocation or amendment of revocable trust.—

(1) Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide that the trust is irrevocable, the settlor may revoke or amend the trust. This subsection does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before the effective date of this code.

(2) 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 with regard to the portion of the trust property attributable to that settlor’s contribution.

(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) Subject to s. 736.0403(2), 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:

1. A later will or codicil that expressly refers to the trust or specifically devises property that would otherwise have passed according to the terms of the trust; or

2. Any other method 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 under a power of attorney only as authorized by s. 709.2202.

(6) A guardian of the property of the settlor may exercise a settlor’s powers with respect to revocation, amendment, or distribution of trust property only as provided in s. 744.441.

(7) A trustee who does not know that a trust has been revoked or amended is not liable for distributions made and other actions taken on the assumption that the trust had not been amended or revoked.

History.—s. 6, ch. 2006-217; s. 32, ch. 2011-210.

736.0603 Settlor’s powers; powers of withdrawal.—

(1) While a trust is revocable, the duties of the trustee are owed exclusively to the settlor.

(2) During the period the power may be exercised, the holder of a power of withdrawal has the rights of a settlor of a revocable trust under this section to the extent of the property subject to the power.

(3) Subject to ss. 736.0403(2) and 736.0602(3)(a), the trustee may follow a direction of the settlor that is contrary to the terms of the trust while a trust is revocable.

History.—s. 6, ch. 2006-217; s. 6, ch. 2021-183.

736.0604 Limitation on action contesting validity of revocable trust.—An action to contest the validity of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death is barred, if not commenced within the earlier of:

(1) The time as provided in chapter 95; or

(2) Six months after the trustee sent the person a copy of the trust instrument and a 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.

History.—s. 6, ch. 2006-217.

PART VII

OFFICE OF TRUSTEE

736.0701 Accepting or declining trusteeship.

736.0702 Trustee’s bond.

736.0703 Cotrustees.

736.0704 Vacancy in trusteeship; appointment of successor.

736.0705 Resignation of trustee.

736.0706 Removal of trustee.

736.0707 Delivery of property by former trustee.

736.0708 Compensation of trustee.

736.0709 Reimbursement of expenses.

736.0701 Accepting or declining trusteeship.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), 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 or the method provided in the terms is not expressly made exclusive, by accepting delivery of the trust property, exercising powers or performing duties as trustee, or otherwise indicating acceptance of the trusteeship.

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

(3) A person designated as trustee may, without accepting the trusteeship:

(a) Act to preserve the trust property if, within a reasonable time after acting, the person sends to a qualified beneficiary a written statement declining the trusteeship.

(b) Inspect or investigate trust property to determine potential liability under environmental or other law or for any other purpose.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217.

736.0702 Trustee’s bond.—

(1) A trustee shall give bond to secure performance of the trustee’s duties only if the court finds that a bond is needed to protect the interests of the beneficiaries or is required by the terms of the trust and the court has not dispensed with the requirement.

(2) The court may specify the amount of a bond, the trustee’s liabilities under the bond, and whether sureties are necessary. The court may modify or terminate a bond at any time.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217.

736.0703 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 cotrustees or a majority of the remaining cotrustees may act for the trust.

(3) Subject to s. 736.1412, relating to the allocation of powers among cotrustees, requirements for excluded cotrustees to act as a directed trustee, and liability and related obligations of directing cotrustees, a cotrustee must participate in the performance of a trustee’s function unless the cotrustee is unavailable to perform the function because of absence, illness, disqualification under other provision of law, or other temporary incapacity or the cotrustee has properly delegated the performance of the function to another cotrustee.

(4) If a cotrustee is unavailable to perform duties because of absence, illness, disqualification under other law, or other temporary incapacity, 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) A cotrustee may not delegate to another cotrustee the performance of a function the settlor reasonably expected the cotrustees to perform jointly, except that a cotrustee may delegate investment functions to a cotrustee pursuant to and in compliance with s. 518.112. A cotrustee may revoke a delegation previously made.

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

(7) Except as otherwise provided in s. 736.1412, relating to the allocation of powers among cotrustees, requirements for excluded cotrustees to act as a directed trustee, and liability and related obligations of directing cotrustees, each cotrustee shall exercise reasonable care to:

(a) Prevent a cotrustee from committing a breach of trust.

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

(8) A dissenting cotrustee who joins in an action at the direction of the majority of the cotrustees and who notifies any cotrustee of the dissent at or before the time of the action is not liable for the action.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217; s. 1, ch. 2008-76; s. 5, ch. 2009-117; s. 1, ch. 2014-115; s. 7, ch. 2021-183.

736.0704 Vacancy in trusteeship; appointment of successor.—

(1) A vacancy in a trusteeship occurs if:

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

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

(d) A trustee is disqualified or removed;

(e) A trustee dies; or

(f) A trustee is adjudicated to be incapacitated.

(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 named or designated pursuant to the terms of the trust to act as successor trustee.

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

(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 named or designated pursuant to the terms of the trust to act as successor trustee.

(b) By a person selected by unanimous agreement of the charitable organizations expressly designated to receive distributions under the terms of the trust.

(5) The court may appoint an additional trustee or special fiduciary whenever the court considers the appointment necessary for the administration of the trust, whether or not a vacancy in a trusteeship exists or is required to be filled.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217.

736.0705 Resignation of trustee.—

(1) A trustee may resign:

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

(b) With the approval of the court.

(2) In approving 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.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217.

736.0706 Removal of trustee.—

(1) The settlor, a cotrustee, or a beneficiary may request the court to remove a trustee, or a trustee may be removed by the court on the court’s own initiative.

(2) The court may remove a trustee if:

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

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

(c) Due to the unfitness, unwillingness, or persistent failure of the trustee to administer the trust effectively, the court determines that removal of the trustee best serves the interests of the beneficiaries; or

(d) There has been a substantial change of circumstances or removal is requested by all of the qualified beneficiaries, the court finds that removal of the trustee best serves the interests of all of the beneficiaries and is not inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust, and a suitable cotrustee or successor trustee is available.

(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 s. 736.1001(2) as may be necessary to protect the trust property or the interests of the beneficiaries.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217.

736.0707 Delivery of property by former trustee.—

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

(2) A trustee who has resigned or been removed shall within a reasonable time deliver the trust property within the trustee’s possession to the cotrustee, successor trustee, or other person entitled to the property, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes. The provisions of this subsection are in addition to and are not in derogation of the rights of a removed or resigning trustee under the common law.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217.

736.0708 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 the trustee has rendered other services in connection with the administration of the trust, the trustee shall also be allowed reasonable compensation for the other services rendered in addition to reasonable compensation as trustee.

(4)(a) An attorney serving as a trustee, or a person related to such attorney, is not entitled to compensation for serving as a trustee if the attorney prepared or supervised the execution of the trust instrument that appointed the attorney or person related to the attorney as trustee, unless the attorney or person appointed is related to the settlor or the attorney makes the following disclosures to the settlor before the trust instrument is executed:

1. Unless specifically disqualified by the terms of the trust instrument, any person, regardless of state of residence and including a family member, friend, or corporate fiduciary, is eligible to serve as a trustee;

2. Any person, including an attorney, who serves as a trustee is entitled to receive reasonable compensation for serving as trustee; and

3. Compensation payable to the trustee is in addition to any attorney fees payable to the attorney or the attorney’s firm for legal services rendered to the trustee.

(b)1. The settlor must execute a written statement acknowledging that the disclosures required under paragraph (a) were made prior to the execution of the trust instrument. The written statement must be in a separate writing from the trust instrument but may be annexed to the trust instrument. The written statement may be executed before or after the execution of the trust in which the attorney or related person is appointed as the trustee.

2. The written statement must be in substantially the following form:

I, (Name) , declare that:

I have designated my attorney, an attorney employed in the same law firm as my attorney, or a person related to my attorney as a trustee in my trust instrument dated (insert date) .

Before executing the trust, I was informed that:

1. Unless specifically disqualified by the terms of the trust instrument, any person, regardless of state of residence and including family members, friends, and corporate fiduciaries, is eligible to serve as a trustee.

2. Any person, including an attorney, who serves as a trustee is entitled to receive reasonable compensation for serving as trustee.

3. Compensation payable to the trustee is in addition to any attorney fees payable to the attorney or the attorney’s firm for legal services rendered to the trustee.

(Signature)

(Settlor)

(Insert Date)

1. An attorney is deemed to have prepared, or supervised the execution of, a trust instrument if the preparation, or supervision of the execution, of the trust instrument was performed by an employee or attorney employed by the same firm as the attorney at the time the trust instrument was executed.

2. A person is “related” to an individual if, at the time the attorney prepared or supervised the execution of the trust instrument, the person is:

a. A spouse of the individual;

b. A lineal ascendant or descendant of the individual;

c. A sibling of the individual;

d. A relative of the individual or of the individual’s spouse with whom the attorney maintains a close, familial relationship;

e. A spouse of a person described in sub-subparagraphs b.-d.;

f. A person who cohabitates with the individual; or

g. An employee or attorney employed by the same firm as the attorney at the time the trust instrument is executed.

3. An attorney or a person related to the attorney is deemed appointed in the trust instrument when the trust instrument appoints the attorney or the person related to the attorney as trustee, cotrustee, successor, or alternate trustee in the event another person nominated is unable to or unwilling to serve, or provides the attorney or any person related to the attorney with the power to appoint the trustee and the attorney or person related to the attorney was appointed using that power.

(d) Other than compensation payable to the trustee, this subsection does not limit any rights or remedies that any interested person may have at law or equity.

(e) The failure to obtain an acknowledgment from the settlor under this subsection does not disqualify a trustee from serving and does not affect the validity of a trust instrument.

(f) This subsection applies to all appointments made pursuant to a trust agreement:

1. Executed by a resident of this state on or after October 1, 2020; or

2. Amended by a resident of this state on or after October 1, 2020, if the trust agreement nominates the attorney who prepared or supervised the execution of the amendment or a person related to such attorney as trustee.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217; s. 9, ch. 2020-67.

736.0709 Reimbursement of expenses.—

(1) A trustee is entitled to be reimbursed out of the trust property, with interest as appropriate, for reasonable expenses that were properly incurred in the administration of the trust.

(2) An advance by the trustee of money for the protection of the trust gives rise to a lien against trust property to secure reimbursement with reasonable interest.

History.—s. 7, ch. 2006-217.

PART VIII

DUTIES AND POWERS OF TRUSTEE

736.0801 Duty to administer trust.

736.0802 Duty of loyalty.

736.0803 Impartiality.

736.0804 Prudent administration.

736.0805 Expenses of administration.

736.0806 Trustee’s skills.

736.0807 Delegation by trustee.

736.0809 Control and protection of trust property.

736.0810 Recordkeeping and identification of trust property.

736.08105 Duty to ascertain marketable title of trust real property.

736.0811 Enforcement and defense of claims.

736.0812 Collecting trust property.

736.08125 Protection of successor trustees.

736.0813 Duty to inform and account.

736.08135 Trust accountings.

736.0814 Discretionary powers; tax savings.

736.08145 Grantor trust reimbursement.

736.08147 Duty to distribute trust income.

736.0815 General powers of trustee.

736.0816 Specific powers of trustee.

736.08163 Powers of trustees relating to environmental or human health laws or to trust property contaminated with hazardous or toxic substances; liability.

736.08165 Administration pending outcome of contest or other proceeding.

736.0817 Distribution on termination.

736.0801 Duty to administer trust.—Upon acceptance of a trusteeship, the trustee shall administer the trust in good faith, in accordance with its terms and purposes and the interests of the beneficiaries, and in accordance with this code.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0802 Duty of loyalty.—

(1) As between a trustee and the beneficiaries, 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 s. 736.1016, a sale, encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the trustee’s own personal account or which is otherwise affected by a conflict between the trustee’s fiduciary and personal interests is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the transaction unless:

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

(b) The transaction was approved by the court;

(d) The beneficiary consented to the trustee’s conduct, ratified the transaction, or released the trustee in compliance with s. 736.1012;

(e) The transaction involves a contract entered into or claim acquired by the trustee when that person had not become or contemplated becoming trustee;

(f) The transaction was consented to in writing by a settlor of the trust while the trust was revocable;

(g) The transaction is one by a corporate trustee that involves a money market mutual fund, mutual fund, or a common trust fund described in s. 736.0816(3); or

(h) With regard to a trust that is administered by a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company operating under chapter 662, the transaction is authorized by s. 662.132(4)-(8).

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

1. The trustee’s spouse;

2. The trustee’s descendants, siblings, parents, or their spouses;

3. An officer, director, employee, agent, or attorney of the trustee; or

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

(b) This subsection does not apply to a trust being administered by a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company operating under chapter 662 if the sale, encumbrance, or other transaction is authorized by s. 662.132(4)-(8).

(4) 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.

(5)(a) An investment by a trustee authorized by lawful authority to engage in trust business, as defined in s. 658.12(20), in investment instruments, as defined in s. 660.25(6), that are owned or controlled by the trustee or its affiliate, or from which the trustee or its affiliate receives compensation for providing services in a capacity other than as trustee, is not presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests provided the investment otherwise complies with chapters 518 and 660 and the trustee complies with the requirements of this subsection.

(b) A trustee who, pursuant to this subsection, invests trust funds in investment instruments that are owned or controlled by the trustee or its affiliate shall disclose the following to all qualified beneficiaries:

1. Notice that the trustee has invested trust funds in investment instruments owned or controlled by the trustee or its affiliate.

2. The identity of the investment instruments.

3. The identity and relationship to the trustee of any affiliate that owns or controls the investment instruments.

(c) A trustee who, pursuant to this subsection, invests trust funds in investment instruments with respect to which the trustee or its affiliate receives compensation for providing services in a capacity other than as trustee shall disclose to all qualified beneficiaries, the nature of the services provided by the trustee or its affiliate, and all compensation, including, but not limited to, fees or commissions paid or to be paid by the account and received or to be received by an affiliate arising from such affiliated investment.

(d) Disclosure required by this subsection shall be made at least annually unless there has been no change in the method or increase in the rate at which such compensation is calculated since the most recent disclosure. The disclosure may be given in a trust disclosure document as defined in s. 736.1008, in a copy of the prospectus for the investment instrument, in any other written disclosure prepared for the investment instrument under applicable federal or state law, or in a written summary that includes all compensation received or to be received by the trustee and any affiliate of the trustee and an explanation of the manner in which such compensation is calculated, either as a percentage of the assets invested or by some other method.

(e) This subsection shall apply as follows:

1. This subsection does not apply to qualified investment instruments or to a trust for which a right of revocation exists.

2. For investment instruments other than qualified investment instruments, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall apply to irrevocable trusts created on or after July 1, 2007, which expressly authorize the trustee, by specific reference to this subsection, to invest in investment instruments owned or controlled by the trustee or its affiliate.

3. For investment instruments other than qualified investment instruments, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall apply to irrevocable trusts created on or after July 1, 2007, that are not described in subparagraph 2. and to irrevocable trusts created prior to July 1, 2007, only as follows:

a. Such paragraphs shall not apply until the statement required in paragraph (f) is provided and a majority of the qualified beneficiaries have provided written consent. All consents must be obtained within 90 days after the date of delivery of the written request. Once given, consent shall be valid as to all investment instruments acquired pursuant to the consent prior to the date of any withdrawal of the consent.

(I) Any qualified beneficiary may petition the court for an order to prohibit, limit, or restrict a trustee’s authority to make investments under this subsection. The burden shall be upon the petitioning beneficiary to show good cause for the relief sought.

(II) The court may award costs and attorney fees relating to any petition under this subparagraph in the same manner as in chancery actions. When costs and attorney fees are to be paid out of the trust, the court, in its discretion, may direct from which part of the trust such costs and fees shall be paid.

b. The consent of a majority of the qualified beneficiaries under this subparagraph may be withdrawn prospectively by written notice of a majority of any one of the class or classes of the qualified beneficiaries.

(f)1. The trustee of a trust as defined in s. 731.201 may request authority to invest in investment instruments described in this subsection other than a qualified investment instrument, by providing to all qualified beneficiaries a written request containing the following:

a. The name, telephone number, street address, and mailing address of the trustee and of any individuals who may be contacted for further information.

b. A statement that the investment or investments cannot be made without the consent of a majority of each class of the qualified beneficiaries.

c. A statement that, if a majority of each class of qualified beneficiaries consent, the trustee will have the right to make investments in investment instruments, as defined in s. 660.25(6), which are owned or controlled by the trustee or its affiliate, or from which the trustee or its affiliate receives compensation for providing services in a capacity other than as trustee, that such investment instruments may include investment instruments sold primarily to trust accounts, and that the trustee or its affiliate may receive fees in addition to the trustee’s compensation for administering the trust.

d. A statement that the consent may be withdrawn prospectively at any time by written notice given by a majority of any class of the qualified beneficiaries.

A statement by the trustee is not delivered if the statement is accompanied by another written communication other than a written communication by the trustee that refers only to the statement.

2. For purposes of paragraph (e) and this paragraph:

a. “Majority of the qualified beneficiaries” means:

(I) If at the time the determination is made there are one or more beneficiaries as described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), at least a majority in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a), at least a majority in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(b), and at least a majority in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), if the interests of the beneficiaries are reasonably ascertainable; otherwise, a majority in number of each such class; or

(II) If there is no beneficiary as described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), at least a majority in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a) and at least a majority in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(b), if the interests of the beneficiaries are reasonably ascertainable; otherwise, a majority in number of each such class.

b. “Qualified investment instrument” means a mutual fund, common trust fund, or money market fund described in and governed by s. 736.0816(3).

c. An irrevocable trust is created upon execution of the trust instrument. If a trust that was revocable when created thereafter becomes irrevocable, the irrevocable trust is created when the right of revocation terminates.

(g) Nothing in this chapter is intended to create or imply a duty for the trustee to seek the application of this subsection to invest in investment instruments described in paragraph (a), and no inference of impropriety may be made as a result of a trustee electing not to invest trust assets in investment instruments described in paragraph (a).

(h) This subsection is not the exclusive authority under this code for investing in investment instruments described in paragraph (a). A trustee who invests trust funds in investment instruments described in paragraph (a) is not required to comply with paragraph (b), paragraph (c), or paragraph (f) if the trustee is permitted to invest in such investment instruments pursuant to subsection (2).

(i) This subsection does not apply to a trust administered by a family trust company, licensed family trust company, or foreign licensed family trust company operating under chapter 662.

(6) In voting shares of stock or in exercising powers of control over similar interests in other forms of enterprise, the trustee shall act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If the trust is the sole owner of a corporation or other form of enterprise, the trustee shall elect or appoint directors or other managers who will manage the corporation or enterprise in the best interests of the beneficiaries.

(7) 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) A payment of reasonable compensation to the trustee;

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

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

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

(8) This section does not preclude the employment of persons, including, but not limited to, attorneys, accountants, investment advisers, or agents, even if they are the trustee, an affiliate of the trustee, or otherwise associated with the trustee, to advise or assist the trustee in the exercise of any of the trustee’s powers and to pay reasonable compensation and costs incurred in connection with such employment from the assets of the trust; to act without independent investigation on their recommendations; and, instead of acting personally, to employ one or more agents to perform any act of administration, whether or not discretionary.

(9) The court may appoint a special fiduciary to act with respect to any proposed transaction that might violate this section if entered into by the trustee.

(10) Unless otherwise provided in this subsection, payment of costs or attorney fees incurred in any proceeding may be made by a trustee from assets of the trust without the approval of any person and without court authorization, as provided in ss. 736.0816(20) and 736.1007(1).

(a) As used in this subsection, the term “pleading” means a pleading as defined in Rule 1.100 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

(b) If a trustee incurs attorney fees or costs in connection with a claim or defense of breach of trust which is made in a filed pleading, the trustee may pay such attorney fees or costs from trust assets without the approval of any person and without any court authorization. However, the trustee must serve a written notice of intent upon each qualified beneficiary of the trust whose share of the trust may be affected by the payment before such payment is made. The notice of intent does not need to be served upon a qualified beneficiary whose identity or location is unknown to, and not reasonably ascertainable by, the trustee.

(c) The notice of intent must identify the judicial proceeding in which the claim or defense of breach of trust has been made in a filed pleading and must inform the person served of his or her right under paragraph (e) to apply to the court for an order prohibiting the trustee from using trust assets to pay attorney fees or costs as provided in paragraph (b) or compelling the return of such attorney fees and costs to the trust. The notice of intent must be served by any commercial delivery service or form of mail requiring a signed receipt; the manner provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for service of process; or, as to any party over whom the court has already acquired jurisdiction in that judicial proceeding, in the manner provided for service of pleadings and other documents by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

(d) If a trustee has used trust assets to pay attorney fees or costs described in paragraph (b) before service of a notice of intent, any qualified beneficiary who is not barred under s. 736.1008 and whose share of the trust may have been affected by such payment is entitled, upon the filing of a motion to compel the return of such payment to the trust, to an order compelling the return of such payment, with interest at the statutory rate. The court shall award attorney fees and costs incurred in connection with the motion to compel as provided in s. 736.1004.

(e) Upon the motion of any qualified beneficiary who is not barred under s. 736.1008 and whose share of the trust may be affected by the use of trust assets to pay attorney fees or costs as provided in paragraph (b), the court may prohibit the trustee from using trust assets to make such payment and, if such payment has been made from trust assets after service of a notice of intent, the court may enter an order compelling the return of the attorney fees and costs to the trust, with interest at the statutory rate. In connection with any hearing on a motion brought under this paragraph:

1. The court shall deny the motion unless it finds a reasonable basis to conclude that there has been a breach of trust. If the court finds there is a reasonable basis to conclude there has been a breach of trust, the court may still deny the motion if it finds good cause to do so.

2. The movant may show that such reasonable basis exists, and the trustee may rebut any such showing by presenting affidavits, answers to interrogatories, admissions, depositions, and any evidence otherwise admissible under the Florida Evidence Code.

(f) If a trustee fails to comply with an order of the court prohibiting the use of trust assets to pay attorney fees or costs described in paragraph (b) or fails to comply with an order compelling that such payment be refunded to the trust, the court may impose such remedies or sanctions as the court deems appropriate, including, without limitation, striking the defenses or pleadings filed by the trustee.

(g) Notwithstanding the entry of an order prohibiting the use of trust assets to pay attorney fees and costs as provided in paragraph (b), or compelling the return of such attorney fees or costs, if a claim or defense of breach of trust is withdrawn, dismissed, or judicially resolved in the trial court without a determination that the trustee has committed a breach of trust, the trustee is authorized to use trust assets to pay attorney fees and costs as provided in paragraph (b) and may do so without service of a notice of intent or order of the court. The attorney fees and costs may include fees and costs that were refunded to the trust pursuant to an order of the court.

(h) This subsection does not limit proceedings under s. 736.0206 or remedies for breach of trust under s. 736.1001, or the right of any interested person to challenge or object to the payment of compensation or costs from the trust.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217; s. 3, ch. 2007-153; s. 159, ch. 2008-4; s. 2, ch. 2008-76; s. 20, ch. 2009-115; s. 18, ch. 2013-172; s. 38, ch. 2014-97; s. 5, ch. 2016-189; s. 41, ch. 2021-183.

736.0803 Impartiality.—If a trust has two or more beneficiaries, the trustee shall act impartially in administering the trust property, giving due regard to the beneficiaries’ respective interests.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0804 Prudent administration.—A trustee shall administer the trust as a prudent person 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.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0805 Expenses of administration.—In administering a trust, the trustee shall only incur expenses that are reasonable in relation to the trust property, the purposes of the trust, and the skills of the trustee.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0806 Trustee’s skills.—A trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is named trustee in reliance on the trustee’s representation that the trustee has special skills or expertise, shall use those special skills or expertise.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0807 Delegation by trustee.—

(1) A trustee may delegate duties and powers that a prudent trustee of comparable skills could properly delegate under the circumstances, including investment functions pursuant to s. 518.112. 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.

(c) Reviewing the agent’s actions periodically, 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) and, when investment functions are delegated, s. 518.112 is not liable to the beneficiaries or to the trust for an action of the agent to whom the function was delegated.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217; s. 6, ch. 2009-117; s. 13, ch. 2013-172.

736.0809 Control and protection of trust property.—A trustee shall take reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0810 Recordkeeping and identification of trust property.—

(1) A trustee shall keep clear, distinct, and accurate 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), 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, a trustee may invest as a whole the property of two or more separate trusts.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.08105 Duty to ascertain marketable title of trust real property.—A trustee holding title to real property received from a settlor or estate shall not be required to obtain title insurance or proof of marketable title until a marketable title is required for a sale or conveyance of the real property.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0811 Enforcement and defense of claims.—A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims of the trust and to defend claims against the trust.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0812 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, except as provided in s. 736.08125, to redress a breach of trust known to the trustee to have been committed by a former trustee.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.08125 Protection of successor trustees.—

(1) A successor trustee is not personally liable for actions taken by any prior trustee, nor does any successor trustee have a duty to institute any proceeding against any prior trustee, or file any claim against any prior trustee’s estate, for any of the prior trustee’s actions as trustee under any of the following circumstances:

(a) As to a successor trustee who succeeds a trustee who was also the settlor of a trust that was revocable during the time that the settlor served as trustee;

(b) As to any beneficiary who has waived any accounting required by s. 736.0813, but only as to the periods included in the waiver;

(c) As to any beneficiary who has released the successor trustee from the duty to institute any proceeding or file any claim;

(d) As to any person who is not an eligible beneficiary; or

(e) As to any eligible beneficiary:

1. If a super majority of the eligible beneficiaries have released the successor trustee;

2. If the eligible beneficiary has not delivered a written request to the successor trustee to institute an action or file a claim against the prior trustee within 6 months after the date of the successor trustee’s acceptance of the trust, if the successor trustee has notified the eligible beneficiary in writing of acceptance by the successor trustee in accordance with s. 736.0813(1)(a) and that writing advises the beneficiary that, unless the beneficiary delivers the written request within 6 months after the date of acceptance, the right to proceed against the successor trustee will be barred pursuant to this section; or

3. For any action or claim that the eligible beneficiary is barred from bringing against the prior trustee.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the term:

(a) “Eligible beneficiaries” means:

1. At the time the determination is made, if there are one or more beneficiaries as described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a) and (c); or

2. If there is no beneficiary as described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a) and (b).

(b) “Super majority of eligible beneficiaries” means at least two-thirds in interest of the eligible beneficiaries if the interests of the eligible beneficiaries are reasonably ascertainable, otherwise, at least two-thirds in number of the eligible beneficiaries.

(3) Nothing in this section affects any liability of the prior trustee or the right of the successor trustee or any beneficiary to pursue an action or claim against the prior trustee.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217; s. 19, ch. 2013-172; s. 42, ch. 2021-183.

736.0813 Duty to inform and account.—The trustee shall keep the qualified beneficiaries of the trust reasonably informed of the trust and its administration.

(1) The trustee’s duty to inform and account includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Within 60 days after acceptance of the trust, the trustee shall give notice to the qualified beneficiaries of the acceptance of the trust, the full name and address of the trustee, and that the fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in s. 90.5021 applies with respect to the trustee and any attorney employed by the trustee.

(b) Within 60 days after the date the trustee acquires knowledge of the creation of an irrevocable trust, or the date the trustee acquires knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, whether by the death of the settlor or otherwise, the trustee shall give notice to the qualified beneficiaries of the trust’s existence, the identity of the settlor or settlors, the right to request a copy of the trust instrument, the right to accountings under this section, and that the fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in s. 90.5021 applies with respect to the trustee and any attorney employed by the trustee.

(c) Upon reasonable request, the trustee shall provide a qualified beneficiary with a complete copy of the trust instrument.

(d) A trustee of an irrevocable trust shall provide a trust accounting, as set forth in s. 736.08135, from the date of the last accounting or, if none, from the date on which the trustee became accountable, to each qualified beneficiary at least annually and on termination of the trust or on change of the trustee.

(e) Upon reasonable request, the trustee shall provide a qualified beneficiary with relevant information about the assets and liabilities of the trust and the particulars relating to administration.

Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to an irrevocable trust created before the effective date of this code, or to a revocable trust that becomes irrevocable before the effective date of this code. Paragraph (a) does not apply to a trustee who accepts a trusteeship before the effective date of this code.

(2) A qualified beneficiary may waive the trustee’s duty to account under paragraph (1)(d). A qualified beneficiary may withdraw a waiver previously given. Waivers and withdrawals of prior waivers under this subsection must be in writing. Withdrawals of prior waivers are effective only with respect to accountings for future periods.

(3) The representation provisions of part III apply with respect to all rights of a qualified beneficiary under this section.

(4) As provided in s. 736.0603(1), the trustee’s duties under this section extend only to the settlor while a trust is revocable.

(5) This section applies to trust accountings rendered for accounting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2007.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217; s. 15, ch. 2007-153; s. 11, ch. 2011-183; s. 14, ch. 2013-172.

736.08135 Trust accountings.—

(1) A trust accounting must be a reasonably understandable report from the date of the last accounting or, if none, from the date on which the trustee became accountable, that adequately discloses the information required in subsection (2).

(2)(a) The accounting must begin with a statement identifying the trust, the trustee furnishing the accounting, and the time period covered by the accounting.

(b) The accounting must show all cash and property transactions and all significant transactions affecting administration during the accounting period, including compensation paid to the trustee and the trustee’s agents. Gains and losses realized during the accounting period and all receipts and disbursements must be shown.

(c) To the extent feasible, the accounting must identify and value trust assets on hand at the close of the accounting period. For each asset or class of assets reasonably capable of valuation, the accounting shall contain two values, the asset acquisition value or carrying value and the estimated current value. The accounting must identify each known noncontingent liability with an estimated current amount of the liability if known.

(d) To the extent feasible, the accounting must show significant transactions that do not affect the amount for which the trustee is accountable, including name changes in investment holdings, adjustments to carrying value, a change of custodial institutions, and stock splits.

(e) The accounting must reflect the allocation of receipts, disbursements, accruals, or allowances between income and principal when the allocation affects the interest of any beneficiary of the trust.

(f) The trustee shall include in the final accounting a plan of distribution for any undistributed assets shown on the final accounting.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) govern the form and content of all trust accountings rendered for any accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2003, and all trust accountings rendered on or after July 1, 2018. This subsection does not affect the beginning period from which a trustee is required to render a trust accounting.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217; s. 6, ch. 2018-35.

736.0814 Discretionary powers; tax savings.—

(1) Notwithstanding the breadth of discretion granted to a trustee in the terms of the trust, including the use of such terms as “absolute,” “sole,” or “uncontrolled,” the trustee shall exercise a discretionary power in good faith and in accordance with the terms and purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. A court shall not determine that a trustee abused its discretion merely because the court would have exercised the discretion in a different manner or would not have exercised the discretion.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) and unless the terms of the trust expressly indicate that a rule in this subsection does not apply, a person who is a beneficiary and a trustee may not:

(a) Make discretionary distributions of either principal or income to or for the benefit of that trustee, except to provide for that trustee’s health, education, maintenance, or support as described under ss. 2041 and 2514 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(b) Make discretionary allocations of receipts or expenses as between principal and income, unless the trustee acts in a fiduciary capacity whereby the trustee has no power to enlarge or shift any beneficial interest except as an incidental consequence of the discharge of the trustee’s fiduciary duties;

(c) Make discretionary distributions of either principal or income to satisfy any of the trustee’s legal support obligations; or

(d) Exercise any other power, including, but not limited to, the right to remove or to replace any trustee, so as to cause the powers enumerated in paragraph (a), paragraph (b), or paragraph (c) to be exercised on behalf of, or for the benefit of, a beneficiary who is also a trustee.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to:

(a) A power held by the settlor of the trust;

(b) A power held by the settlor’s spouse who is the trustee of a trust for which a marital deduction, as defined in s. 2056(a) or s. 2523(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, was previously allowed;

(d) A trust if contributions to the trust qualify for the annual exclusion under s. 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(4) A power whose exercise is limited or prohibited by subsection (2) may be exercised by the remaining trustees whose exercise of the power is not so limited or prohibited. If there is no trustee qualified to exercise the power, on petition by any qualified beneficiary, the court may appoint an independent trustee with authority to exercise the power.

(5) A person who has the right to remove or to replace a trustee does not possess nor may that person be deemed to possess, by virtue of having that right, the powers of the trustee that is subject to removal or to replacement.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.08145 Grantor trust reimbursement.—

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided under the terms of a trust, if all or any portion of the trust is treated as being owned by a person under s. 671 of the Internal Revenue Code or any similar federal, state, or other tax law, the trustee may, in the trustee’s sole discretion, reimburse the person being treated as the owner for any amount of the person’s personal federal, state, or other income tax liability which is attributable to the inclusion of the trust’s income, capital gains, deductions, or credits in the calculation of the person’s taxable income. In the trustee’s sole discretion, the trustee may pay such tax reimbursement amount, determined without regard to any other distribution or payment made from trust assets, to the person directly or to the appropriate taxing authority.

(b) A life insurance policy held in the trust, the cash value of any such policy, or the proceeds of any loan secured by an interest in the policy may not be used for such reimbursement or such payment if the person is an insured.

(2) This section applies to all trusts, whether created on, before, or after July 1, 2020, unless:

(a) The trustee provides written notification that the trustee intends to irrevocably elect out of the application of this section, at least 60 days before the effective date of such election, to the person treated as the owner of all or a portion of the trust under s. 671 of the Internal Revenue Code or any similar federal, state, or other tax law and to all persons who have the ability to remove and replace the trustee.

(b) Applying this section would prevent a contribution to the trust from qualifying for, or would reduce, a federal tax benefit, including a federal tax exclusion or deduction, which was originally claimed or could have been claimed for the contribution, including:

1. An exclusion under s. 2503(b) or s. 2503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;

2. A marital deduction under s. 2056, s. 2056A, or s. 2523 of the Internal Revenue Code;

3. A charitable deduction under s. 170(a), s. 642(c), s. 2055(a), or s. 2522(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or

4. Direct skip treatment under s. 2642(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) A trustee may not exercise, or participate in the exercise of, the powers granted by this section with respect to any trust if any of the following applies:

(a) The trustee is treated as the owner of all or part of such trust under s. 671 of the Internal Revenue Code or any similar federal, state, or other tax law.

(b) The trustee is a beneficiary of such trust.

(c) The trustee is a related or subordinate party, as defined in s. 672(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to a person treated as the owner of all or part of such trust under s. 671 of the Internal Revenue Code or any similar federal, state, or other tax law or with respect to a beneficiary of such trust.

(4) If the terms of a trust require the trustee to act at the direction or with the consent of a trust advisor, a protector, or any other person, or that the decisions addressed in this section be made directly by a trust advisor, a protector, or any other person, the powers granted by this section to the trustee must instead or also be granted, as applicable under the terms of the trust, to the advisor, protector, or other person subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (3), which must be applied as if the advisor, protector, or other person were a trustee.

(5) A person may not be considered a beneficiary of a trust solely by reason of the application of this section, including for purposes of determining the elective estate.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2020-70.

736.08147 Duty to distribute trust income.—If a will or trust instrument granting income to the settlor’s or testator’s spouse for life is silent as to the time of distribution of income and the frequency of distributions, the trustee shall distribute all net income, as defined in chapter 738, to the spouse no less frequently than annually. This provision shall apply to any trust established before, on, or after July 1, 2007, unless the trust instrument expressly directs or permits net income to be distributed less frequently than annually.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0815 General powers of trustee.—

(1) A trustee, without authorization by the court, may, except as limited or restricted by this code, exercise:

(a) Powers conferred by the terms of the trust.

(b) Except as limited by the terms of the trust:

1. All powers over the trust property that an unmarried competent owner has over individually owned property.

2. Any other powers appropriate to achieve the proper investment, management, and distribution of the trust property.

3. Any other powers conferred by this code.

(2) The exercise of a power is subject to the fiduciary duties prescribed by this code.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0816 Specific powers of trustee.—Except as limited or restricted by this code, a trustee may:

(1) Collect trust property and accept or reject additions to the trust property from a settlor, including an asset in which the trustee is personally interested, and hold property in the name of a nominee or in other form without disclosure of the trust so that title to the property may pass by delivery but the trustee is liable for any act of the nominee in connection with the property so held.

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

(3) Acquire an undivided interest in a trust asset, including, but not limited to, a money market mutual fund, mutual fund, or common trust fund, in which asset the trustee holds an undivided interest in any trust capacity, including any money market or other mutual fund from which the trustee or any affiliate or associate of the trustee is entitled to receive reasonable compensation for providing necessary services as an investment adviser, portfolio manager, or servicing agent. A trustee or affiliate or associate of the trustee may receive compensation for such services in addition to fees received for administering the trust provided such compensation is fully disclosed in writing to all qualified beneficiaries. As used in this subsection, the term “mutual fund” includes an open-end or closed-end management investment company or investment trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. ss. 80a-1 et seq., as amended.

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

(5) Deposit trust money in an account in a regulated financial service institution.

(6) Borrow money, with or without security, and mortgage or pledge trust property for a period within or extending beyond the duration of the trust and advance money for the protection of the trust.

(7) With respect to an interest in a proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or other form of business or enterprise, continue the business or other enterprise and take any action that may be taken by shareholders, members, or property owners, including, but not limited to, merging, dissolving, or otherwise changing the form of business organization or contributing additional capital.

(8) With respect to stocks or other securities, exercise the rights of an absolute owner, including, but not limited to, the right to:

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

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

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

(d) Deposit the securities with a depositary or other regulated financial service institution.

(9) With respect to an interest in real property, construct, or make ordinary or extraordinary repairs to, alterations to, or improvements in, buildings or other structures, demolish improvements, raze existing or erect new party walls or buildings, subdivide or develop land, dedicate land to public use or grant public or private easements, and make or vacate plats and adjust boundaries.

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

(11) Grant an option involving a sale, lease, or other disposition of trust property or acquire an option for the acquisition of property, including an option exercisable beyond the duration of the trust, and exercise an option so acquired.

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

(13) Abandon or decline to administer property of no value or of insufficient value to justify the collection or continued administration of such property.

(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) Allocate items of income or expense to trust income or principal, as provided by law.

(17) Exercise elections with respect to federal, state, and local taxes.

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

(19) Make loans out of trust property, including, but not limited to, loans to a beneficiary on terms and conditions that are fair and reasonable under the circumstances, and the trustee has a lien on future distributions for repayment of those loans.

(20) Employ persons, including, but not limited to, attorneys, accountants, investment advisers, or agents, even if they are the trustee, an affiliate of the trustee, or otherwise associated with the trustee, to advise or assist the trustee in the exercise of any of the trustee’s powers and pay reasonable compensation and costs incurred in connection with such employment from the assets of the trust, subject to s. 736.0802(10) with respect to attorney fees and costs, and act without independent investigation on the recommendations of such persons.

(21) Pay an amount distributable to a beneficiary who is under a legal disability or who the trustee reasonably believes is incapacitated, by paying the amount directly to the beneficiary or applying the amount for the beneficiary’s benefit, or by:

(a) Paying the amount to the beneficiary’s guardian of the property or, if the beneficiary does not have a guardian of the property, the beneficiary’s guardian of the person;

(b) Paying the amount to the beneficiary’s custodian under a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act or custodial trustee under a Uniform Custodial Trust Act, and, for that purpose, creating a custodianship or custodial trust;

(c) Paying the amount 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 guardian of the property, guardian of the person, custodian, or custodial trustee; or

(d) Managing the amount as a separate fund on the beneficiary’s behalf, subject to the beneficiary’s continuing right to withdraw the distribution.

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

(23) Prosecute or defend, including appeals, an action, claim, or judicial proceeding in any jurisdiction to protect trust property or the trustee in the performance of the trustee’s duties.

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

(25) 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, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217; s. 4, ch. 2007-153; s. 6, ch. 2016-189.

736.08163 Powers of trustees relating to environmental or human health laws or to trust property contaminated with hazardous or toxic substances; liability.—

(1) From the creation of a trust until final distribution of the assets from the trust, the trustee has, without court authorization, the powers specified in subsection (2).

(2) Unless otherwise provided in the trust instrument, a trustee has the power, acting reasonably, to:

(a) Inspect or investigate, or cause to be inspected or investigated, property held by the trustee, including interests in sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations and any assets owned by any such business entity for the purpose of determining compliance with an environmental law affecting that property or to respond to an actual or threatened violation of an environmental law affecting that property;

(b) Take, on behalf of the trust, any action necessary to prevent, abate, or otherwise remedy an actual or potential violation of an environmental law affecting property held by the trustee, before or after initiation of an enforcement action by a governmental body;

(c) Refuse to accept property in trust if the trustee determines that any property to be donated or conveyed to the trustee is contaminated with a hazardous substance or is being used or has been used for an activity directly or indirectly involving a hazardous substance, which circumstance could result in liability to the trust or trustee or otherwise impair the value of the assets to be held;

(d) Settle or compromise at any time any claim against the trust or trustee that may be asserted by a governmental body or private party that involves the alleged violation of an environmental law affecting property of any trust over which the trustee has responsibility;

(e) Disclaim any power granted by any document, law, or rule of law that, in the sole judgment of the trustee, may cause the trustee to incur personal liability, or the trust to incur liability, under any environmental law;

(f) Decline to serve as a trustee, or having undertaken to serve as a trustee, resign at any time, if the trustee believes there is or may be a conflict of interest in its fiduciary capacity and in its individual capacity because of potential claims or liabilities that may be asserted against the trustee on behalf of the trust by reason of the type or condition of the assets held; or

(g) Charge against the income and principal of the trust the cost of any inspection, investigation, review, abatement, response, cleanup, or remedial action that this section authorizes the trustee to take and, if the trust terminates or closes or the trust property is transferred to another trustee, hold assets sufficient to cover the cost of cleaning up any known environmental problem.

(3) A trustee is not personally liable to any beneficiary or any other person for a decrease in value of assets in a trust by reason of the trustee’s compliance or efforts to comply with an environmental law, specifically including any reporting requirement under that law.

(4) A trustee that acquires ownership or control of a vessel or other property, without having owned, operated, or materially participated in the management of that vessel or property before assuming ownership or control as trustee, is not considered an owner or operator for purposes of liability under chapter 376, chapter 403, or any other environmental law. A trustee that willfully, knowingly, or recklessly causes or exacerbates a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance is personally liable for the cost of the response, to the extent that the release or threatened release is attributable to the trustee’s activities. This subsection does not preclude the filing of claims against the assets that constitute the trust held by the trustee or the filing of actions against the trustee in its representative capacity and in any such action, an award or judgment against the trustee must be satisfied only from the assets of the trust.

(5) The acceptance by the trustee of the property or a failure by the trustee to inspect or investigate the property does not create any inference as to whether there is liability under an environmental law with respect to that property.

(6) For the purposes of this section, the term “hazardous substance” means a substance defined as hazardous or toxic, or any contaminant, pollutant, or constituent thereof, or otherwise regulated, by an environmental law.

(7) This section does not apply to any trust created under a document executed before July 1, 1995, unless the trust is amendable and the settlor amends the trust at any time to incorporate the provisions of this section.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.08165 Administration pending outcome of contest or other proceeding.—

(1) Pending the outcome of a proceeding filed to determine the validity of all or part of a trust or the beneficiaries of all or part of a trust, the trustee shall proceed with the administration of the trust as if no proceeding had been commenced, except no action may be taken and no distribution may be made to a beneficiary in contravention of the rights of those persons who may be affected by the outcome of the proceeding.

(2) Upon motion of a party and after notice to interested persons, a court, on good cause shown, may make an exception to the prohibition under subsection (1) and authorize the trustee to act or to distribute trust assets to a beneficiary subject to any conditions the court, in the court’s discretion, may impose, including the posting of bond by the beneficiary.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

736.0817 Distribution on termination.—Upon the occurrence of an event terminating or partially terminating a trust, the trustee shall proceed expeditiously to distribute the trust property to the persons entitled to the property, subject to the right of the trustee to retain a reasonable reserve for the payment of debts, expenses, and taxes. The provisions of this section are in addition to and are not in derogation of the rights of a trustee under the common law with respect to final distribution of a trust.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2006-217.

PART IX

TRUST INVESTMENTS

736.0901 Applicability of chapter 518.

736.0902 Nonapplication of prudent investor rule.

736.0901 Applicability of chapter 518.—A trustee shall invest trust property in accordance with chapter 518.

History.—s. 9, ch. 2006-217.

736.0902 Nonapplication of prudent investor rule.—

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 518.11 or s. 736.0804, with respect to any contract for life insurance acquired or retained on the life of a qualified person, a trustee has no duty to:

(a) Determine whether the contract of life insurance is or was procured or effected in compliance with s. 627.404;

(b) Determine whether any contract of life insurance is, or remains, a proper investment;

(d) Determine whether to exercise any policy option available under the contract for life insurance;

(e) Diversify any such contract for life insurance or the assets of the trust with respect to the contract for life insurance; or

(f) Inquire about or investigate the health or financial condition of any insureds.

(2) For purposes of this section, a “qualified person” is a person who is insured or a proposed insured, or the spouse of that person, who has provided the trustee with the funds used to acquire or pay premiums with respect to a policy of insurance on the life of that person or the spouse of that person, or on the lives of that person and the spouse of that person.

(3) The trustee is not liable to the beneficiaries of the trust or any other person for any loss sustained with respect to a contract for life insurance to which this section applies.

(4) Unless otherwise provided in the trust instrument, paragraph (1)(a) applies to any contract for life insurance on the life of a qualified person.

(5) Unless otherwise provided in the trust instrument, paragraphs (1)(b)-(f) apply if:

(a) The trust instrument, by reference to this section, makes this section applicable to contracts for life insurance held by the trust; or

(b) The trustee gives notice that this section applies to a contract for life insurance held by the trust.

1. The notice of the application of this section shall be given to the qualified beneficiaries and shall contain a copy or restatement of this section.

2. Notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of part III of this chapter to a person who represents the interests of any of the persons set forth in subparagraph 1. shall be treated as notice to the person so represented.

3. Notice shall be given in the manner provided in s. 736.0109.

4. If any person notified pursuant to this paragraph delivers a written objection to the application of this section to the trustee within 30 days after the date on which the objector received such notice, paragraphs (1)(b)-(f) shall not apply until the objection is withdrawn.

5. There shall exist a rebuttable presumption that any notice sent by United States mail is received 3 days after depositing the notice in the United States mail system with proper postage prepaid.

(6) This section does not apply to any contract for life insurance purchased from any affiliate of the trustee, or with respect to which the trustee or any affiliate of the trustee receives any commission unless the duties have been delegated to another person in accordance with s. 518.112. For purposes of this subsection, an “affiliate” is any person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the trustee.

(7) Paragraph (1)(a) does not apply if the trustee applied for or accepted ownership of a contract of life insurance and the trustee had knowledge that:

(a) The benefits were not payable to a person specified in s. 627.404 when the contract of life insurance was issued; or

(b) The contract of life insurance is or was purchased with resources or guarantees directly or indirectly provided by a person who, at the time of the inception of such contract, did not have an insurable interest in the insured as defined by s. 627.404, and, at the time of the inception of such contract, there is a verbal or written arrangement, agreement, or plan with a third party to transfer ownership of the policy or policy benefits in a manner that would be in violation of state law.

(8) A trustee who performs fiduciary or advisory services related to a policy of life insurance to which subsection (1) applies shall not be compensated for performing the applicable service to which subsection (1) applies.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2010-172.

PART X

LIABILITY OF TRUSTEE AND
RIGHTS OF PERSONS DEALING WITH TRUSTEE

736.1001 Remedies for breach of trust.

736.1002 Damages for breach of trust.

736.1003 Damages in absence of breach.

736.1004 Attorney’s fees and costs.

736.1005 Attorney fees for services to the trust.

736.1006 Costs in trust proceedings.

736.1007 Trustee’s attorney fees.

736.1008 Limitations on proceedings against trustees.

736.1009 Reliance on trust instrument.

736.1010 Event affecting administration or distribution.

736.1011 Exculpation of trustee.

736.1012 Beneficiary’s consent, release, or ratification.

736.1013 Limitation on personal liability of trustee.

736.1014 Limitations on actions against certain trusts.

736.1015 Interest as general partner.

736.1016 Protection of person dealing with trustee.

736.1017 Certification of trust.

736.1018 Improper distribution or payment; liability of distributee.

736.1001 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.

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

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

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

(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 s. 736.0706;

(h) Reduce or deny compensation to the trustee;

(i) Subject to s. 736.1016, 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.

(3) As an illustration of the remedies available to the court and without limiting the court’s discretion as provided in subsection (2), if a breach of trust results in the favoring of any beneficiary to the detriment of any other beneficiary or consists of an abuse of the trustee’s discretion:

(a) To the extent the breach of trust has resulted in no distribution to a beneficiary or a distribution that is too small, the court may require the trustee to pay from the trust to the beneficiary an amount the court determines will restore the beneficiary, in whole or in part, to his or her appropriate position.

(b) To the extent the breach of trust has resulted in a distribution to a beneficiary that is too large, the court may restore the beneficiaries, the trust, or both, in whole or in part, to their appropriate positions by requiring the trustee to withhold an amount from one or more future distributions to the beneficiary who received the distribution that was too large or by requiring that beneficiary to return some or all of the distribution to the trust.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217; s. 147, ch. 2007-5; s. 19, ch. 2007-153.

736.1002 Damages for breach of trust.—

(1) A trustee who commits a breach of trust is liable for the greater of:

(a) The amount required to restore the value of the trust property and trust distributions to what they would have been if the breach had not occurred, including lost income, capital gain, or appreciation that would have resulted from proper administration; or

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

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if more than one person, including a trustee or trustees, is liable to the beneficiaries for a breach of trust, each liable person is entitled to pro rata contribution from the other person or persons. A person is not entitled to contribution if the person committed the breach of trust in bad faith. A person who received a benefit from the breach of trust is not entitled to contribution from another person to the extent of the benefit received.

(3) In determining the pro rata shares of liable persons in the entire liability for a breach of trust:

(a) Their relative degrees of fault shall be the basis for allocation of liability.

(b) If equity requires, the collective liability of some as a group shall constitute a single share.

(4) The right of contribution shall be enforced as follows:

(a) Contribution may be enforced by separate action, whether or not judgment has been entered in an action against two or more liable persons for the same breach of trust.

(b) When a judgment has been entered in an action against two or more liable persons for the same breach of trust, contribution may be enforced in that action by judgment in favor of one judgment defendant against any other judgment defendants by motion upon notice to all parties to the action.

(c) If there is a judgment for breach of trust against the liable person seeking contribution, any separate action by that person to enforce contribution must be commenced within 1 year after the judgment has become final by lapse of time for appeal or after appellate review.

(d) If there is no judgment for the breach of trust against the liable person seeking contribution, the person’s right of contribution is barred unless the person has:

1. Discharged by payment the common liability within the period of the statute of limitations applicable to the beneficiary’s right of action against the liable person and the person has commenced an action for contribution within 1 year after payment, or

2. Agreed, while action is pending against the liable person, to discharge the common liability and has within 1 year after the agreement paid the liability and commenced the person’s action for contribution.

(5) The beneficiary’s recovery of a judgment for breach of trust against one liable person does not of itself discharge other liable persons from liability for the breach of trust unless the judgment is satisfied. The satisfaction of the judgment does not impair any right of contribution.

(6) The judgment of the court in determining the liability of several defendants to the beneficiary for breach of trust is binding upon such defendants in determining the right of such defendants to contribution.

(7) Subsection (2) applies to all causes of action for breach of trust pending on July 1, 2007, under which causes of action the right of contribution among persons jointly and severally liable is involved and to all causes of action filed after July 1, 2007.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1003 Damages in absence of breach.—Absent 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.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1004 Attorney’s fees and costs.—

(1)(a) In all actions for breach of fiduciary duty or challenging the exercise of, or failure to exercise, a trustee’s powers; and

(b) In proceedings arising under ss. 736.0410-736.0417,

the court shall award taxable costs as in chancery actions, including attorney fees and guardian ad litem fees.

(2) When awarding taxable costs under this section, including attorney fees and guardian ad litem fees, the court, in its discretion, may direct payment from a party’s interest, if any, in the trust or enter a judgment that may be satisfied from other property of the party, or both.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1005 Attorney fees for services to the trust.—

(1) Any attorney who has rendered services to a trust may be awarded reasonable compensation from the trust. The attorney may apply to the court for an order awarding attorney fees and, after notice and service on the trustee and all beneficiaries entitled to an accounting under s. 736.0813, the court shall enter an order on the fee application.

(2) If attorney fees are to be paid from the trust under subsection (1), s. 736.1007(5)(a), or s. 733.106(4)(a), the court, in its discretion, may direct from what part of the trust the fees shall be paid.

(a) All or any part of the attorney fees to be paid from the trust may be assessed against one or more persons’ part of the trust in such proportions as the court finds to be just and proper.

(b) In the exercise of its discretion, the court may consider the following factors:

1. The relative impact of an assessment on the estimated value of each person’s part of the trust.

2. The amount of attorney fees to be assessed against a person’s part of the trust.

3. The extent to which a person whose part of the trust is to be assessed, individually or through counsel, actively participated in the proceeding.

4. The potential benefit or detriment to a person’s part of the trust expected from the outcome of the proceeding.

5. The relative strength or weakness of the merits of the claims, defenses, or objections, if any, asserted by a person whose part of the trust is to be assessed.

6. Whether a person whose part of the trust is to be assessed was a prevailing party with respect to one or more claims, defenses, or objections.

7. Whether a person whose part of the trust is to be assessed unjustly caused an increase in the amount of attorney fees incurred by the trustee or another person in connection with the proceeding.

8. Any other relevant fact, circumstance, or equity.

(c) The court may assess a person’s part of the trust without finding that the person engaged in bad faith, wrongdoing, or frivolousness.

(3) Except when a trustee’s interest may be adverse in a particular matter, the attorney shall give reasonable notice in writing to the trustee of the attorney’s retention by an interested person and the attorney’s entitlement to fees pursuant to this section. A court may reduce any fee award for services rendered by the attorney prior to the date of actual notice to the trustee, if the actual notice date is later than a date of reasonable notice. In exercising this discretion, the court may exclude compensation for services rendered after the reasonable notice date but before the date of actual notice.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217; s. 7, ch. 2015-27.

736.1006 Costs in trust proceedings.—

(1) In all trust proceedings, costs may be awarded as in chancery actions.

(2) If costs are to be paid from the trust under subsection (1) or s. 733.106(4)(a), the court, in its discretion, may direct from what part of the trust the costs shall be paid. All or any part of the costs to be paid from the trust may be assessed against one or more persons’ part of the trust in such proportions as the court finds to be just and proper. In the exercise of its discretion, the court may consider the factors set forth in s. 736.1005(2).

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217; s. 8, ch. 2015-27.

736.1007 Trustee’s attorney fees.—

¹(1)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d), if the trustee of a revocable trust retains an attorney to render legal services in connection with the initial administration of the trust, the attorney is entitled to reasonable compensation for those legal services, payable from the assets of the trust, subject to s. 736.0802(10), without court order. The trustee and the attorney may agree to compensation that is determined in a manner or amount other than the manner or amount provided in this section. The agreement is not binding on a person who bears the impact of the compensation unless that person is a party to or otherwise consents to be bound by the agreement. The agreement may provide that the trustee is not individually liable for the attorney fees and costs.

(b) An attorney representing a trustee in the initial administration of the trust who intends to charge a fee based upon the schedule set forth in subsection (2) shall make the following disclosures in writing to the trustee:

1. There is not a mandatory statutory attorney fee for trust administration.

2. The attorney fee is not required to be based on the size of the trust, and the presumed reasonable fee provided in subsection (2) may not be appropriate in all trust administrations.

3. The fee is subject to negotiation between the trustee and the attorney.

4. The selection of the attorney is made at the discretion of the trustee, who is not required to select the attorney who prepared the trust.

5. The trustee shall be entitled to a summary of ordinary and extraordinary services rendered for the fees agreed upon at the conclusion of the representation. The summary shall be provided by counsel and shall consist of the total hours devoted to the representation or a detailed summary of the services performed during the representation.

(d) If the attorney does not make the disclosures required by this section, the attorney may not be paid for legal services without prior court approval of the fees or the written consent of the trustee and all qualified beneficiaries.

¹(2) Unless otherwise agreed and subject to subsection (1), compensation based on the value of the trust assets immediately following the settlor’s death and the income earned by the trust during initial administration at the rate of 75 percent of the schedule provided in s. 733.6171(3)(a)-(h) is presumed to be reasonable total compensation for ordinary services of all attorneys employed generally to advise a trustee concerning the trustee’s duties in the initial trust administration.

¹(3) Subject to subsection (1), an attorney who is retained to render only limited and specifically defined legal services shall be compensated as provided in the retaining agreement. If the amount or method of determining compensation is not provided in the agreement, the attorney is entitled to a reasonable fee, taking into account the factors set forth in subsection (6).

(4) Ordinary services of the attorney in an initial trust administration include legal advice and representation concerning the trustee’s duties relating to:

(a) Review of the trust instrument and each amendment for legal sufficiency and interpretation.

(b) Implementation of substitution of the successor trustee.

(d) The obligation of a successor to require a former trustee to provide an accounting.

(e) The trustee’s duty to protect, insure, and manage trust assets and the trustee’s liability relating to these duties.

(f) The trustee’s duty regarding investments imposed by the prudent investor rule.

(g) The trustee’s obligation to inform and account to beneficiaries and the method of satisfaction of such obligations, the liability of the trust and trustee to the settlor’s creditors, and the advisability or necessity for probate proceedings to bar creditors.

(h) Contributions due to the personal representative of the settlor’s estate for payment of expenses of administration and obligations of the settlor’s estate.

(i) Identifying tax returns required to be filed by the trustee, the trustee’s liability for payment of taxes, and the due date of returns.

(j) Filing a nontaxable affidavit, if not filed by a personal representative.

(k) Order of payment of expenses of administration of the trust and order and priority of abatement of trust distributions.

(l) Distribution of income or principal to beneficiaries or funding of further trusts provided in the governing instrument.

(m) Preparation of any legal documents required to effect distribution.

(n) Fiduciary duties, avoidance of self-dealing, conflicts of interest, duty of impartiality, and obligations to beneficiaries.

(o) If there is a conflict of interest between a trustee who is a beneficiary and other beneficiaries of the trust, advice to the trustee on limitations of certain authority of the trustee regarding discretionary distributions or exercise of certain powers and alternatives for appointment of an independent trustee and appropriate procedures.

(p) Procedures for the trustee’s discharge from liability for administration of the trust on termination or resignation.

¹(5) Subject to subsection (1), in addition to the attorney fees for ordinary services, the attorney for the trustee shall be allowed further reasonable compensation for any extraordinary service. What constitutes an extraordinary service may vary depending on many factors, including the size and complexity of the trust. Extraordinary services may include, but are not limited to:

(a) Involvement in a trust contest, trust construction, a proceeding for determination of beneficiaries, a contested claim, elective share proceedings, apportionment of estate taxes, or other adversary proceedings or litigation by or against the trust.

(b) Representation of the trustee in an audit or any proceeding for adjustment, determination, or collection of any taxes.

(c) Tax advice on postmortem tax planning, including, but not limited to, disclaimer, renunciation of fiduciary commission, alternate valuation date, allocation of administrative expenses between tax returns, the QTIP or reverse QTIP election, allocation of GST exemption, qualification for Internal Revenue Code ss. 303 and 6166 privileges, deduction of last illness expenses, distribution planning, asset basis considerations, throwback rules, handling income or deductions in respect of a decedent, valuation discounts, special use and other valuation, handling employee benefit or retirement proceeds, prompt assessment request, or request for release from personal liability for payment of tax.

(d) Review of an estate tax return and preparation or review of other tax returns required to be filed by the trustee.

(e) Preparation of decedent’s federal estate tax return. If this return is prepared by the attorney, a fee of one-half of 1 percent up to a value of $10 million and one-fourth of 1 percent on the value in excess of $10 million, of the gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes, is presumed to be reasonable compensation for the attorney for this service. These fees shall include services for routine audit of the return, not beyond the examining agent level, if required.

(f) Purchase, sale, lease, or encumbrance of real property by the trustee or involvement in zoning, land use, environmental, or other similar matters.

(g) Legal advice regarding carrying on of decedent’s business or conducting other commercial activity by the trustee.

(h) Legal advice regarding claims for damage to the environment or related procedures.

(i) Legal advice regarding homestead status of trust real property or proceedings involving the status.

(j) Involvement in fiduciary, employee, or attorney compensation disputes.

(k) Considerations of special valuation of trust assets, including discounts for blockage, minority interests, lack of marketability, and environmental liability.

(6) Upon petition of any interested person in a proceeding to review the compensation paid or to be paid to the attorney for the trustee, the court may increase or decrease the compensation for ordinary services of the attorney for the trustee or award compensation for extraordinary services if the facts and circumstances of the particular administration warrant. In determining reasonable compensation, the court shall consider all of the following factors giving such weight to each as the court may determine to be appropriate:

(a) The promptness, efficiency, and skill with which the initial administration was handled by the attorney.

(b) The responsibilities assumed by, and potential liabilities of, the attorney.

(d) The benefits or detriments resulting to the trust or the trust’s beneficiaries from the attorney’s services.

(e) The complexity or simplicity of the administration and the novelty of issues presented.

(f) The attorney’s participation in tax planning for the estate, the trust, and the trust’s beneficiaries and tax return preparation or review and approval.

(g) The nature of the trust assets, the expenses of administration, and the claims payable by the trust and the compensation paid to other professionals and fiduciaries.

(h) Any delay in payment of the compensation after the services were furnished.

¹(i) Any agreement relating to the attorney’s compensation and whether written disclosures were made to the trustee in a timely manner under the circumstances pursuant to paragraph (1)(b).

(j) Any other relevant factors.

(7) If a separate written agreement regarding compensation exists between the attorney and the settlor, the attorney shall furnish a copy to the trustee prior to commencement of employment and, if employed, shall promptly file and serve a copy on all interested persons. A separate agreement or a provision in the trust suggesting or directing the trustee to retain a specific attorney does not obligate the trustee to employ the attorney or obligate the attorney to accept the representation but, if the attorney who is a party to the agreement or who drafted the trust is employed, the compensation paid shall not exceed the compensation provided in the agreement.

(8) As used in this section, the term “initial trust administration” means administration of a revocable trust during the period that begins with the death of the settlor and ends on the final distribution of trust assets outright or to continuing trusts created under the trust agreement but, if an estate tax return is required, not until after issuance of an estate tax closing letter or other evidence of termination of the estate tax proceeding. This initial period is not intended to include continued regular administration of the trust.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217; s. 7, ch. 2010-122; s. 7, ch. 2016-189; s. 2, ch. 2021-145.

¹Note.—Section 3, ch. 2021-145, provides that “[t]his act applies to initial estate and initial trust administrations commenced on or after October 1, 2021.”

736.1008 Limitations on proceedings against trustees.—

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), all claims by a beneficiary against a trustee for breach of trust are barred as provided in chapter 95 as to:

(a) All matters adequately disclosed in a trust disclosure document issued by the trustee or a trust director, with the limitations period beginning on the date of receipt of adequate disclosure.

(b) All matters not adequately disclosed in a trust disclosure document if the trustee has issued a final trust accounting and has given written notice to the beneficiary of the availability of the trust records for examination and that any claims with respect to matters not adequately disclosed may be barred unless an action is commenced within the applicable limitations period provided in chapter 95. The limitations period begins on the date of receipt of the final trust accounting and notice.

(2) Unless sooner barred by adjudication, consent, or limitations, a beneficiary is barred from bringing an action against a trustee for breach of trust with respect to a matter that was adequately disclosed in a trust disclosure document unless a proceeding to assert the claim is commenced within 6 months after receipt from the trustee or a trust director of the trust disclosure document or a limitation notice that applies to that disclosure document, whichever is received later.

(3) When a trustee has not issued a final trust accounting or has not given written notice to the beneficiary of the availability of the trust records for examination and that claims with respect to matters not adequately disclosed may be barred, a claim against the trustee for breach of trust based on a matter not adequately disclosed in a trust disclosure document is barred as provided in chapter 95 and accrues when the beneficiary has actual knowledge of:

(a) The facts upon which the claim is based, if such actual knowledge is established by clear and convincing evidence; or

(b) The trustee’s repudiation of the trust or adverse possession of trust assets.

Paragraph (a) applies to claims based upon acts or omissions occurring on or after July 1, 2008. A beneficiary’s actual knowledge that he or she has not received a trust accounting does not cause a claim to accrue against the trustee for breach of trust based upon the failure to provide a trust accounting required by s. 736.0813 or former s. 737.303 and does not commence the running of any period of limitations or laches for such a claim, and paragraph (a) and chapter 95 do not bar any such claim.

(4) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Trust disclosure document” means a trust accounting or any other written report of the trustee or a trust director. A trust disclosure document adequately discloses a matter if the document provides sufficient information so that a beneficiary knows of a claim or reasonably should have inquired into the existence of a claim with respect to that matter.

(b) “Trust accounting” means an accounting that adequately discloses the information required by and that substantially complies with the standards set forth in s. 736.08135.

(c) “Limitation notice” means a written statement of the trustee or a trust director that an action by a beneficiary for breach of trust based on any matter adequately disclosed in a trust disclosure document may be barred unless the action is commenced within 6 months after receipt of the trust disclosure document or receipt of a limitation notice that applies to that trust disclosure document, whichever is later. A limitation notice may but is not required to be in the following form: “An action for breach of trust based on matters disclosed in a trust accounting or other written report of the trustee or a trust director may be subject to a 6-month statute of limitations from the receipt of the trust accounting or other written report. If you have questions, please consult your attorney.”

(5) For purposes of this section, a limitation notice applies to a trust disclosure document when the limitation notice is:

(a) Contained as a part of the trust disclosure document or as a part of another trust disclosure document received within 1 year prior to the receipt of the latter trust disclosure document;

(b) Accompanied concurrently by the trust disclosure document or by another trust disclosure document that was received within 1 year prior to the receipt of the latter trust disclosure document;

(c) Delivered separately within 10 days after the delivery of the trust disclosure document or of another trust disclosure document that was received within 1 year prior to the receipt of the latter trust disclosure document. For purposes of this paragraph, a limitation notice is not delivered separately if the notice is accompanied by another written communication, other than a written communication that refers only to the limitation notice; or

(d) Received more than 10 days after the delivery of the trust disclosure document, but only if the limitation notice references that trust disclosure document and:

1. Offers to provide to the beneficiary on request another copy of that trust disclosure document if the document was received by the beneficiary within 1 year prior to receipt of the limitation notice; or

2. Is accompanied by another copy of that trust disclosure document if the trust disclosure document was received by the beneficiary 1 year or more prior to the receipt of the limitation notice.

(6)(a) Notwithstanding subsections (1), (2), and (3), all claims by a beneficiary against a trustee are barred:

1. Upon the later of:

a. Ten years after the date the trust terminates, the trustee resigns, or the fiduciary relationship between the trustee and the beneficiary otherwise ends if the beneficiary had actual knowledge of the existence of the trust and the beneficiary’s status as a beneficiary throughout the 10-year period; or

b. Twenty years after the date of the act or omission of the trustee that is complained of if the beneficiary had actual knowledge of the existence of the trust and the beneficiary’s status as a beneficiary throughout the 20-year period; or

2. Forty years after the date the trust terminates, the trustee resigns, or the fiduciary relationship between the trustee and the beneficiary otherwise ends.

(b) When a beneficiary shows by clear and convincing evidence that a trustee actively concealed facts supporting a cause of action, any existing applicable statute of repose shall be extended by 30 years.

(c) For purposes of sub-subparagraph (a)1.b., the failure of the trustee to take corrective action is not a separate act or omission and does not extend the period of repose established by this subsection.

(d) This subsection applies to claims based upon acts or omissions occurring on or after July 1, 2008.

(7) Any claim barred against a trustee or trust director under this section is also barred against the directors, officers, and employees acting for the trustee or trust director.

(8) This section applies to trust accountings for accounting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2007, and to written reports, other than trust accountings, received by a beneficiary on or after July 1, 2007.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217; s. 5, ch. 2007-153; s. 3, ch. 2008-76; s. 7, ch. 2018-35; s. 9, ch. 2021-183.

736.1009 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.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1010 Event affecting administration or distribution.—If the happening of an event, including marriage, divorce, performance of educational requirements, or death, affects the administration or distribution of a trust, a trustee who has exercised reasonable care to ascertain the happening of the event is not liable for a loss resulting from the trustee’s lack of knowledge.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1011 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 into the trust instrument as the result of an abuse by the trustee of a fiduciary or confidential relationship with 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 trustee proves that the exculpatory term is fair under the circumstances.

(b) The term’s existence and contents were adequately communicated directly to the settlor or the independent attorney of the settlor. This paragraph applies only to trusts created on or after July 1, 2007.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217; s. 6, ch. 2007-153.

736.1012 Beneficiary’s consent, release, or ratification.—A trustee is not liable to a beneficiary for breach of trust if the beneficiary consented to the conduct constituting the breach, released the trustee from liability for the breach, or ratified the transaction constituting the breach, 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 of the material facts relating to the breach.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1013 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 in the contract disclosed the fiduciary capacity.

(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 only if the trustee is personally at fault.

(3) A claim based on a contract entered into by a trustee in the trustee’s fiduciary capacity, on an obligation arising from ownership or control of trust property, or on a tort committed in the course of administering a trust 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.

(4) Issues of liability between the trust estate and the trustee individually may be determined in a proceeding for accounting, surcharge, or indemnification or in any other appropriate proceeding.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1014 Limitations on actions against certain trusts.—

(1) After the death of a settlor, no creditor of the settlor may bring, maintain, or continue any direct action against a trust described in s. 733.707(3), the trustee of the trust, or any beneficiary of the trust that is dependent on the individual liability of the settlor. Such claims and causes of action against the settlor shall be presented and enforced against the settlor’s estate as provided in part VII of chapter 733, and the personal representative of the settlor’s estate may obtain payment from the trustee of a trust described in s. 733.707(3) as provided in ss. 733.607(2), 733.707(3), and 736.05053.

(2) This section does not preclude a direct action against a trust described in s. 733.707(3), the trustee of the trust, or a beneficiary of the trust that is not dependent on the individual liability of the settlor.

(3) This section does not affect the lien of any duly recorded mortgage or security interest or the lien of any person in possession of personal property or the right to foreclose and enforce the mortgage or lien.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1015 Interest as general partner.—

(1) 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 fiduciary capacity was disclosed in the contract or in a statement previously filed pursuant to a Uniform Partnership Act or Uniform Limited Partnership Act.

(2) 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) 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 as if the settlor were a general partner.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1016 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, without knowledge that the trustee is exceeding or improperly exercising the trustee’s powers, is protected from liability as if the trustee properly exercised the power.

(2) A person other than a beneficiary who in good faith deals with a trustee is not required to inquire into the extent of the trustee’s powers or the propriety of their exercise.

(3) A person who in good faith delivers assets to a trustee need not ensure their proper application.

(4) A 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 protected from liability as if the former trustee were still 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.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

736.1017 Certification of trust.—

(1) Instead of furnishing a copy of the trust instrument to a person other than a beneficiary, the trustee may furnish to the person a certification of trust containing the following information:

(a) The trust exists and the date the trust instrument was executed.

(b) The identity of the settlor.

(d) The powers of the trustee.

(e) Whether the trust contains any powers of direction, and if so, the identity of the current trust directors, the trustee powers subject to a power of direction, and whether the trust directors have directed or authorized the trustee to engage in the proposed transaction for which the certification of trust was issued.

(f) The revocability or irrevocability of the trust and the identity of any person holding a power to revoke the trust.

(g) The authority of cotrustees to sign or otherwise authenticate and whether all or less than all are required in order to exercise powers of the trustee.

(h) The manner of taking title to trust property.

(2) A certification of trust may be signed or otherwise authenticated by any trustee.

(3) 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.

(4) A certification of trust need not contain the dispositive terms of a trust.

(5) A recipient of a certification of trust may require the trustee to furnish copies of any 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.

(6) A person who acts in reliance on a certification of trust without 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. Knowledge of the terms of the trust may not be inferred solely from the fact that a copy of all or part of the trust instrument is held by the person relying on the certification.

(7) A person who in good faith enters into a transaction in reliance on a certification of trust may enforce the transaction against the trust property as if the representations contained in the certification were correct.

(8) This section does not limit the right of a person to obtain a copy of the trust instrument when required to be furnished by law or in a judicial proceeding concerning the trust.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217; s. 10, ch. 2021-183.

736.1018 Improper distribution or payment; liability of distributee.—Any person who received a distribution or was paid improperly from a trust shall return the assets or funds received and the income from those assets or interest on the funds from the date of distribution or payment unless the distribution or payment cannot be questioned because of adjudication, estoppel, or limitations. If the person does not have the assets or funds, the value of the assets or funds at the date of disposition, income from the assets or funds, and gain received by the person from the assets or funds shall be returned.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-217.

PART XI

RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

736.1101 Rules of construction; general provisions.

736.1102 Construction of terms.

736.1103 Gifts to multigeneration classes to be per stirpes.

736.1104 Person not entitled to receive property or other benefits by reason of victim’s death.

736.1105 Effect of subsequent marriage, birth, adoption, or dissolution of marriage.

736.1106 Antilapse; survivorship with respect to future interests under terms of inter vivos and testamentary trusts; substitute takers.

736.1107 Change in securities; accessions; nonademption.

736.1108 Penalty clause for contest.

736.1109 Testamentary and revocable trusts; homestead protections.

736.1101 Rules of construction; general provisions.—Except as provided in s. 736.0105(2):

(1) The intent of the settlor as expressed in the terms of the trust controls the legal effect of the dispositions made in the trust.

(2) The rules of construction as expressed in this part shall apply unless a contrary intent is indicated by the terms of the trust.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217.

736.1102 Construction of terms.—The laws used to determine paternity and relationships for the purposes of intestate succession apply when determining whether class gift terminology and terms of relationship include adopted persons and persons born out of wedlock.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217; s. 17, ch. 2010-132.

736.1103 Gifts to multigeneration classes to be per stirpes.—Class gifts to descendants, issue, and other multigeneration classes shall be per stirpes.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217.

736.1104 Person not entitled to receive property or other benefits by reason of victim’s death.—

(1) A beneficiary of a trust who unlawfully and intentionally kills or unlawfully and intentionally participates in procuring the death of the settlor or another person on whose death such beneficiary’s interest depends, is not entitled to any trust interest, including homestead, dependent on the victim’s death, and such interest shall devolve as though the killer had predeceased the victim.

(2) A final judgment of conviction of murder in any degree is conclusive for the purposes of this section. In the absence of a murder conviction in any degree, the court may determine by the greater weight of the evidence whether the killing was unlawful and intentional for purposes of this section.

(3) A beneficiary of a trust who was convicted in any state or foreign jurisdiction of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person or a disabled adult, as those terms are defined in s. 825.101, for conduct against a settlor or another person on whose death such beneficiary’s interest depends is not entitled to any trust interest, including a homestead dependent on the victim’s death, and such interest shall devolve as though the abuser, neglector, exploiter, or killer had predeceased the victim.

(a) A final judgment of conviction for abuse, neglect, exploitation, or aggravated manslaughter of the decedent or other person creates a rebuttable presumption that this section applies.

(b) In the absence of a qualifying conviction, the court may determine by the greater weight of the evidence whether the decedent’s or other person’s death was caused by or contributed to by the abuser’s, neglector’s, exploiter’s, or killer’s conduct as defined in s. 825.102, s. 825.103, or s. 782.07(2) for purposes of this section.

(c) This subsection does not apply if it can be proven by clear and convincing evidence that, after the conviction of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, the victim of the offense, if capacitated, ratifies an intent that the person so convicted of abuse, neglect, or exploitation retain a trust interest by executing a valid written instrument, sworn to and witnessed by two persons who would be competent as witnesses to a will, which expresses a specific intent to allow the convicted person to retain a trust interest.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217; s. 4, ch. 2021-221.

736.1105 Effect of subsequent marriage, birth, adoption, or dissolution of marriage.—

(1) Neither subsequent marriage, birth, nor adoption of descendants shall revoke the revocable trust of any person.

(2) Any provision of a revocable trust that affects the settlor’s spouse is void upon dissolution of the marriage of the settlor and the spouse, whether the marriage occurred before or after the execution of such revocable trust. Upon dissolution of marriage, the revocable trust shall be construed as if the spouse had died at the time of the dissolution of marriage.

(a) Dissolution of marriage occurs at the time the decedent’s marriage is judicially dissolved or declared invalid by court order.

(b) This subsection does not invalidate a provision of a revocable trust:

1. Executed by the settlor after the dissolution of the marriage;

2. If there is a specific intention to the contrary stated in the revocable trust; or

3. If the dissolution of marriage judgment expressly provides otherwise.

(3) This section applies to revocable trusts of decedents who die on or after June 29, 2021.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217; ss. 11, 45, ch. 2021-183.

736.1106 Antilapse; survivorship with respect to future interests under terms of inter vivos and testamentary trusts; substitute takers.—

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Beneficiary” means the beneficiary of a future interest and includes a class member if the future interest is in the form of a class gift.

(b) “Distribution date,” with respect to a future interest, means the time when the future interest is to take effect. The distribution date need not occur at the beginning or end of a calendar day, but can occur at a time during the course of a day. The distribution date refers to the time that the right to possession or enjoyment arises and is not necessarily the time that any benefit of the right is realized.

(d) “Future interest under the terms of a trust” means a future interest created by an inter vivos or testamentary transfer to an existing trust or creating a trust or by an exercise of a power of appointment to an existing trust directing the continuance of an existing trust, designating a beneficiary of an existing trust, or creating a trust.

(e) “Surviving beneficiary” or “surviving descendant” means a beneficiary or a descendant who did not predecease the distribution date or is not deemed to have predeceased the distribution date by operation of law.

(2) A future interest under the terms of a trust is contingent upon the beneficiary surviving the distribution date. Unless a contrary intent appears in the trust instrument, if a beneficiary of a future interest under the terms of a trust fails to survive the distribution date, and the deceased beneficiary leaves surviving descendants, a substitute gift is created in the beneficiary’s surviving descendants. They take per stirpes the property to which the beneficiary would have been entitled if the beneficiary had survived the distribution date.

(3) In the application of this section:

(a) Words of survivorship attached to a future interest are a sufficient indication of an intent contrary to the application of this section.

(b) A residuary clause in a will is not a sufficient indication of an intent contrary to the application of this section, whether or not the will specifically provides that lapsed or failed devises are to pass under the residuary clause.

(4) If, after the application of subsections (2) and (3), there is no surviving taker, the property passes in the following order:

(a) If the future interest was created by the exercise of a power of appointment, the property passes under the donor’s gift-in-default clause, if any, which clause is treated as creating a future interest under the terms of a trust.

(b) If no taker is produced by the application of paragraph (a) and the trust was created in a nonresiduary devise or appointment in the transferor’s will, the property passes under the residuary clause in the transferor’s will. For purposes of this section, the residuary clause is treated as creating a future interest under the terms of a trust.

(c) If no taker is produced by the application of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), the property passes to those persons, including the state, and in such shares as would succeed to the transferor’s intestate estate under the intestate succession law of the transferor’s domicile if the transferor died when the disposition is to take effect in possession or enjoyment.

For purposes of paragraphs (b) and (c), the term “transferor” with respect to a future interest created by the exercise of a power of appointment, means the donor if the power was a nongeneral power and the donee if the power was a general power.

(5) Unless a contrary intent appears in the trust instrument, subsections (2)-(4) do not apply to an outright devise that vests upon the death of the settlor unless the beneficiary is a grandparent, or a lineal descendant of a grandparent, of the settlor or testator and the beneficiary:

(a) Is dead at the time of the execution of the revocable trust or will;

(b) Fails to survive the settlor or testator; or

(c) Is required by the inter vivos trust or by operation of law to be treated as having predeceased the settlor or testator.

A devise in a revocable trust or a testamentary trust that is to take effect at the death of the settlor or testator does not vest until the death of the settlor or testator.

(6) Subsections (1)-(4) apply to all trusts other than trusts that were irrevocable before the effective date of this code. Sections 732.603, 732.604, and 737.6035, as they exist on June 30, 2007, continue to apply to other trusts executed on or after June 12, 2003. Subsection (5) applies to those trusts that become irrevocable after June 30, 2014.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217; s. 16, ch. 2007-153; s. 7, ch. 2009-117; s. 11, ch. 2014-127.

736.1107 Change in securities; accessions; nonademption.—A gift of specific securities, rather than their equivalent value, entitles the beneficiary only to:

(1) As much of the gifted securities of the same issuer held by the trust estate at the time of the occurrence of the event entitling the beneficiary to distribution.

(2) Any additional or other securities of the same issuer held by the trust estate because of action initiated by the issuer, excluding any acquired by exercise of purchase options.

(3) Securities of another issuer held by the trust estate as a result of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or other similar action initiated by the original issuer.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217.

736.1108 Penalty clause for contest.—

(1) A provision in a trust instrument purporting to penalize any interested person for contesting the trust instrument or instituting other proceedings relating to a trust estate or trust assets is unenforceable.

(2) This section applies to trusts created on or after October 1, 1993. For purposes of this subsection, a revocable trust shall be treated as created when the right of revocation terminates.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2006-217.

736.1109 Testamentary and revocable trusts; homestead protections.—

(1) If a devise of homestead under a trust violates the limitations on the devise of homestead in s. 4(c), Art. X of the State Constitution, title shall pass as provided in s. 732.401 at the moment of death.

(2) A power of sale or general direction to pay debts, expenses, and claims within the trust instrument does not subject an interest in the protected homestead to the claims of decedent’s creditors, expenses of administration, and obligations of the decedent’s estate as provided in s. 736.05053.

(3) If a trust directs the sale of property that would otherwise qualify as protected homestead, and the property is not subject to the constitutional limitations on the devise of homestead under the State Constitution, title shall remain vested in the trustee and subject to the provisions of the trust.

(4) This section applies only to trusts described in s. 733.707(3) and to testamentary trusts.

(5) This section is intended to clarify existing law and applies to the administration of trusts and estates of decedents who die before, on, or after July 1, 2021.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2021-183.

PART XII

CHARITABLE TRUSTS

736.1201 Definitions.

736.1202 Application of this part.

736.1203 Trustee of a private foundation trust or a split interest trust.

736.1204 Powers and duties of trustee of a private foundation trust or a split interest trust.

736.1205 Notice that this part does not apply.

736.1206 Power to amend trust instrument.

736.1207 Power of court to permit deviation.

736.1208 Release; property and persons affected; manner of effecting.

736.1209 Election to come under this part.

736.1210 Interpretation.

736.1211 Protections afforded to certain charitable trusts and organizations.

736.1201 Definitions.—As used in this part:

(1) “Charitable organization” means an organization described in s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from tax under s. 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) “Delivery of notice” means delivery of a written notice required under this part using any commercial delivery service requiring a signed receipt or by any form of mail requiring a signed receipt.

(3) “Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(4) “Private foundation trust” means a trust, including a trust described in s. 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, as defined in s. 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(5) “Split interest trust” means a trust for individual and charitable beneficiaries that is subject to the provisions of s. 4947(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217; s. 6, ch. 2017-155.

736.1202 Application of this part.—Except as otherwise provided in the trust, the provisions of this part apply to all private foundation trusts and split interest trusts, whether created or established before or after November 1, 1971, and to all trust assets acquired by the trustee before or after November 1, 1971.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217.

736.1203 Trustee of a private foundation trust or a split interest trust.—Except as provided in s. 736.1205, the trustee of a private foundation trust or a split interest trust has the duties and powers conferred on the trustee by this part.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217.

736.1204 Powers and duties of trustee of a private foundation trust or a split interest trust.—

(1) In the exercise of a trustee’s powers, including the powers granted by this part, a trustee has a duty to act with due regard to the trustee’s obligation as a fiduciary, including a duty not to exercise any power in such a way as to:

(a) Deprive the trust of an otherwise available tax exemption, deduction, or credit for tax purposes;

(b) Deprive a donor of a trust asset or tax deduction or credit; or

For purposes of this subsection, the term “tax” includes, but is not limited to, any federal, state, or local excise, income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax.

(2) Except as provided in s. 736.1205, a trustee of a private foundation trust shall make distributions at such time and in such manner as not to subject the trust to tax under s. 4942 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) and in s. 736.1205, a trustee of a private foundation trust, or a split interest trust to the extent that the split interest trust is subject to the provisions of s. 4947(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, in the exercise of the trustee’s powers shall not:

(a) Engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in s. 4941(d) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(b) Retain any excess business holdings as defined in s. 4943(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(d) Make any taxable expenditures as defined in s. 4945(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(4) Paragraphs (3)(b) and (c) shall not apply to a split interest trust if:

(a) All the income interest, and none of the remainder interest, of the trust is devoted solely to one or more of the purposes described in s. 170(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, and all amounts in the trust for which a deduction was allowed under s. 170, s. 545(b)(2), s. 556(b)(2), s. 642(c), s. 2055, s. 2106(a)(2), or s. 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code have an aggregate fair market value of not more than 60 percent of the aggregate fair market value of all amounts in the trust; or

(b) A deduction was allowed under s. 170, s. 545(b)(2), s. 556(b)(2), s. 642(c), s. 2055, s. 2106(a)(2), or s. 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code for amounts payable under the terms of the trust to every remainder beneficiary but not to any income beneficiary.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217; s. 17, ch. 2007-153.

736.1205 Notice that this part does not apply.—In the case of a power to make distributions, if the trustee determines that the governing instrument contains provisions that are more restrictive than s. 736.1204(2), or if the trust contains other powers, inconsistent with the provisions of s. 736.1204(3) that specifically direct acts by the trustee, the trustee shall notify the Attorney General by delivery of notice when the trust becomes subject to this part. Section 736.1204 does not apply to any trust for which notice has been given pursuant to this section unless the trust is amended to comply with the terms of this part.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217; s. 7, ch. 2017-155.

736.1206 Power to amend trust instrument.—

(1) In the case of a trust that is solely for a named charitable organization or organizations and for which the trustee does not possess any discretion concerning the distribution of income or principal among two or more such organizations, the trustee may amend the governing instrument to comply with the provisions of s. 736.1204(2) with the consent of the named charitable organization or organizations.

(2) In the case of a charitable trust that is not subject to subsection (1), the trustee may amend the governing instrument to comply with s. 736.1204(2) after delivery of notice to, and with the consent of, the Attorney General.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217; s. 8, ch. 2017-155.

736.1207 Power of court to permit deviation.—This part does not affect the power of a court to relieve a trustee from any restrictions on the powers and duties that are placed on the trustee by the governing instrument or applicable law for cause shown and on complaint of the trustee, the Attorney General, or an affected beneficiary and notice to the affected parties.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217; s. 9, ch. 2017-155.

736.1208 Release; property and persons affected; manner of effecting.—

(1) The trustee of a trust, all of the unexpired interests in which are devoted to one or more charitable purposes, may release a power to select charitable donees unless the creating instrument provides otherwise.

(2) The release of a power to select charitable donees may apply to all or any part of the property subject to the power and may reduce or limit the charitable organizations, or classes of charitable organizations, in whose favor the power is exercisable.

(3) A release shall be effected by a duly acknowledged written instrument signed by the trustee and delivered as provided in subsection (4).

(4) Delivery of a release shall be accomplished as follows:

(a) If the release is accomplished by specifying a charitable organization or organizations as beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust, by delivery of a copy of the release to each designated charitable organization.

(b) If the release is accomplished by reducing the class of permissible charitable organizations, by delivery of notice of the release to the Attorney General, including a copy of the release.

(5) If a release is accomplished by specifying a public charitable organization or organizations as beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust, the trust at all times thereafter shall be operated exclusively for the benefit of, and be supervised by, the specified public charitable organization or organizations.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217; s. 10, ch. 2017-155.

736.1209 Election to come under this part.—With the consent of that organization or organizations, a trustee of a trust for the benefit of a public charitable organization or organizations may come under s. 736.1208(5) by delivery of notice to the Attorney General of the election, accompanied by the proof of required consent. Thereafter the trust shall be subject to s. 736.1208(5).

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217; s. 148, ch. 2007-5; s. 18, ch. 2007-153; s. 11, ch. 2017-155.

736.1210 Interpretation.—This part shall be interpreted to effectuate the intent of the state to preserve, foster, and encourage gifts to, or for the benefit of, charitable organizations.

History.—s. 12, ch. 2006-217.

736.1211 Protections afforded to certain charitable trusts and organizations.—

(1) A charitable organization, private foundation trust, split interest trust, or a private foundation as defined in s. 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code may not be required by a state agency or a local government to disclose the race, religion, gender, national origin, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political party registration of its employees, officers, directors, trustees, members, or owners, without the prior written consent of the individual or individuals in question.

(2) A private foundation as defined in s. 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a private foundation trust, a split interest trust, or a grant-making organization may not be required by the state or any local government to disclose the race, religion, gender, national origin, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political party registration of any person, or of the employees, officers, directors, trustees, members, or owners of any entity that has received monetary or in-kind contributions from or contracted with the organization, trust, or foundation, without the prior written consent of the individual or individuals in question. For purposes of this subsection, a “grant-making organization” is an organization that makes grants to charitable organizations but is not a private foundation, private foundation trust, or split interest trust.

(3) A state agency or a local government may not require that the governing board or officers of a charitable organization, private foundation trust, split interest trust, or a private foundation as defined in s. 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code include an individual or individuals of any particular race, religion, gender, national origin, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political party registration. Further, a state agency or a local government may not prohibit service as a board member or officer by an individual or individuals based upon their familial relationship to each other or to a donor or require that the governing board or officers include one or more individuals who do not share a familial relationship with each other or with a donor.

(4) A charitable organization, private foundation trust, split interest trust, or any private foundation as defined in s. 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code may not be required by a state agency or a local government to distribute its funds to or contract with any person or entity based upon the race, religion, gender, national origin, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political party registration of the person or of the employees, officers, directors, trustees, members, or owners of the entity, or based upon the populations, locales, or communities served by the person or entity, except as a lawful condition on the expenditure of particular funds imposed by the donor of such funds.

History.—s. 8, ch. 2010-122.

PART XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

736.1301 Electronic records and signatures.

736.1302 Severability clause.

736.1303 Application to existing relationships.

736.1301 Electronic records and signatures.—Any provisions of this code governing the legal effect, validity, or enforceability of electronic records or electronic signatures, and of contracts formed or performed with the use of such records or signatures, are deemed to conform to the requirements of s. 102 of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. s. 7002, and supersede, modify, and limit the requirements of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

History.—s. 13, ch. 2006-217.

736.1302 Severability clause.—If any provision of this code or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this code that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this code are severable.

History.—s. 13, ch. 2006-217.

736.1303 Application to existing relationships.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this code, on July 1, 2007:

(a) This code applies to all trusts created before, on, or after such date.

(b) This code applies to all judicial proceedings concerning trusts commenced on or after such date.

(c) This code applies to judicial proceedings concerning trusts commenced before such date, unless the court finds that application of a particular provision of this code would substantially interfere with the effective conduct of the judicial proceedings or prejudice the rights of the parties, in which case the particular provision of this code does not apply and the superseded law applies.

(d) Any rule of construction or presumption provided in this code applies to trust instruments executed before the effective date of this code unless there is a clear indication of a contrary intent in the terms of the trust.

(e) An act done before such date is not affected by this code.

(2) If a right is acquired, extinguished, or barred on the expiration of a prescribed period that has commenced to run under any other law before July 1, 2007, that law continues to apply to the right even if it has been repealed or superseded.

History.—s. 13, ch. 2006-217.

PART XIV

FLORIDA UNIFORM DIRECTED TRUST ACT

736.1401 Short title.

736.1403 Application; principal place of administration.

736.1405 Exclusions.

736.1406 Power of trust director.

736.1407 Limitations on trust director.

736.1408 Duty and liability of trust director.

736.1409 Duty and liability of directed trustee.

736.141 Duty to provide information.

736.1411 No duty to monitor, inform, or advise.

736.1412 Application to cotrustee.

736.1413 Limitation of action against trust director.

736.1414 Defenses in action against trust director.

736.1415 Jurisdiction over trust director.

736.1416 Office of trust director.

736.1401 Short title.—This part may be cited as the “Florida Uniform Directed Trust Act.”

History.—s. 14, ch. 2021-183.

736.1403 Application; principal place of administration.—

(1) This part applies to a trust subject to this chapter, whenever created, that has its principal place of administration in the state, subject to the following rules:

(a) If the trust was created before July 1, 2021, this part applies only to a decision or action occurring on or after July 1, 2021.

(b) If the principal place of administration of the trust is changed to the state on or after July 1, 2021, this part applies only to a decision or action occurring on or after the date of the change.

(2) In addition to s. 736.0108, relating to a trust’s principal place of administration, in a directed trust, terms of the trust that designate the principal place of administration of the trust in the state are valid and controlling if a trust director’s principal place of business is located in or a trust director is a resident of the state.

History.—s. 15, ch. 2021-183.

736.1405 Exclusions.—

(1) As used in this section, the term “power of appointment” means a power that enables a person acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in or another power of appointment over trust property.

(2) Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide otherwise by specific reference to this part, section, or paragraph, this part does not apply to:

(a) A power of appointment;

(b) A power to appoint or remove a trustee or trust director;

(d) A power of a beneficiary over a trust to the extent the exercise or nonexercise of the power affects the beneficial interest of:

1. The beneficiary; or

2. Another beneficiary represented by the beneficiary under ss. 736.0301-736.0305 with respect to the exercise or nonexercise of the power;

(e) A power over a trust if the terms of the trust provide that the power is held in a nonfiduciary capacity; and

1. The power must be held in a nonfiduciary capacity to achieve the settlor’s tax objectives under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations issued thereunder, as amended; or

2. It is a power to reimburse the settlor for all or a part of the settlor’s income tax liabilities attributable to the income of the trust; or

(f) A power to add or to release a power under the trust instrument if the power subject to addition or release causes the settlor to be treated as the owner of all or any portion of the trust for federal income tax purposes.

(3) Unless the terms of a trust provide otherwise, a power granted to a person other than a trustee:

(a) To designate a recipient of an ownership interest in trust property, including a power to terminate a trust, is a power of appointment and not a power of direction.

(b) To create, modify, or terminate a power of appointment is a power of direction and not a power of appointment, except a power to create a power of appointment that is an element of a broader power to affect an ownership interest in trust property beyond the mere creation of a power of appointment, such as a power to appoint trust property in further trust, is a power of appointment and not a power of direction.

History.—s. 16, ch. 2021-183.

736.1406 Power of trust director.—

(1) Subject to s. 736.1407, relating to trust directors being subject to the same rules as a trustee regarding Social Security Act reimbursement requirements and charitable trust instruments, the terms of a trust may grant a power of direction to a trust director.

(2) A power of direction includes only those powers granted by the terms of the trust.

(3) Unless the terms of a trust provide otherwise:

(a) A trust director may exercise any further power appropriate to the exercise or nonexercise of a power of direction granted to the trust director under subsection (1); and

(b) Trust directors with joint powers must act by majority decision.

History.—s. 17, ch. 2021-183.

736.1407 Limitations on trust director.—A trust director is subject to the same rules as a trustee in a like position and under similar circumstances in the exercise or nonexercise of a power of direction or further power under s. 736.1406(3)(a), relating to additional power granted to a trust director in furtherance of an express power of direction, regarding:

(1) A payback provision in the terms of a trust necessary to comply with the reimbursement requirements of s. 1917 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. s. 1396p(d)(4)(A), as amended, and regulations issued thereunder, as amended.

(2) A charitable interest in the trust, including notice regarding the interest to the Attorney General.

History.—s. 18, ch. 2021-183.

736.1408 Duty and liability of trust director.—

(1) Subject to subsection (2), with respect to a power of direction or further power under s. 736.1406(3)(a), relating to additional power granted to a trust director in furtherance of an express power of direction:

(a) A trust director has the same fiduciary duty and liability in the exercise or nonexercise of the power:

1. If the power is held individually, as a sole trustee in a like position and under similar circumstances; or

2. If the power is held jointly with a trustee or another trust director, as a cotrustee in a like position and under similar circumstances.

(b) The terms of the trust may vary the trust director’s duty or liability to the same extent the terms of the trust may vary the duty or liability of a trustee in a like position and under similar circumstances.

(2) Unless the terms of a trust provide otherwise, if a trust director is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by law other than this part to provide health care in the ordinary course of the trust director’s business or practice of a profession, to the extent the trust director acts in that capacity the trust director has no duty or liability under this part.

(3) The terms of a trust may impose a duty or liability on a trust director in addition to the duties and liabilities under this section.

History.—s. 19, ch. 2021-183.

736.1409 Duty and liability of directed trustee.—

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a directed trustee shall take reasonable action to comply with a trust director’s exercise or nonexercise of a power of direction or further power under s. 736.1406(3)(a), relating to additional power granted to a trust director in furtherance of an express power of direction, and the trustee is not liable for such reasonable action.

(2) A directed trustee may not comply with a trust director’s exercise or nonexercise of a power of direction or further power under s. 736.1406(3)(a), relating to additional power granted to a trust director in furtherance of an express power of direction, to the extent that by complying the trustee would engage in willful misconduct.

(3) Before complying with a trust director’s exercise of a power of direction, the directed trustee shall determine whether or not the exercise is within the scope of the trust director’s power of direction. The exercise of a power of direction is not outside the scope of a trust director’s power of direction merely because the exercise constitutes or may constitute a breach of trust.

(4) An exercise of a power of direction under which a trust director may release a trustee or another trust director from liability for breach of trust is not effective if:

(a) The breach involved the trustee’s or other director’s willful misconduct;

(b) The release was induced by improper conduct of the trustee or other director in procuring the release; or

(5) A directed trustee that has reasonable doubt about its duty under this section may apply to the court for instructions, with attorney fees and costs to be paid from assets of the trust as provided in this code.

(6) The terms of a trust may impose a duty or liability on a directed trustee in addition to the duties and liabilities under this part.

History.—s. 20, ch. 2021-183.

736.141 Duty to provide information.—

(1) Subject to s. 736.1411, relating to limitations on the duties of trustees or trust directors to monitor, inform, or advise on matters involving the other, a trustee shall provide information to a trust director to the extent the information is reasonably related to the powers or duties of the trust director.

(2) Subject to s. 736.1411, relating to limitations on the duties of trustees or trust directors to monitor, inform, or advise on matters involving the other, a trust director shall provide information to a trustee or another trust director to the extent the information is reasonably related to the powers or duties of the trustee or other trust director.

(3) A trustee that acts in reliance on information provided by a trust director is not liable for a breach of trust to the extent the breach resulted from the reliance, unless by so acting the trustee engages in willful misconduct.

(4) A trust director that acts in reliance on information provided by a trustee or another trust director is not liable for a breach of trust to the extent the breach resulted from the reliance, unless by so acting the trust director engages in willful misconduct.

(5) A trust director shall provide information within the trust director’s knowledge or control to a qualified beneficiary upon a written request of a qualified beneficiary to the extent the information is reasonably related to the powers or duties of the trust director.

History.—s. 21, ch. 2021-183.

736.1411 No duty to monitor, inform, or advise.—

(1) Notwithstanding s. 736.1409(1), relating to the duty of a directed trustee to take reasonable action when directed and to the release of liability for such action, unless the terms of a trust provide otherwise:

(a) A trustee does not have a duty to:

1. Monitor a trust director; or

2. Inform or give advice to a settlor, beneficiary, trustee, or trust director concerning an instance in which the trustee might have acted differently ¹from the trust director.

(b) By taking an action described in paragraph (a), a trustee does not assume the duty excluded by paragraph (a).

(2) Notwithstanding s. 736.1408(1), relating to the fiduciary duty of a trust director, unless the terms of a trust provide otherwise:

(a) A trust director does not have a duty to:

1. Monitor a trustee or another trust director; or

2. Inform or give advice to a settlor, beneficiary, trustee, or another trust director concerning an instance in which the trust director might have acted differently ¹from a trustee or another trust director.

(b) By taking an action described in paragraph (a), a trust director does not assume the duty excluded by paragraph (a).

History.—s. 22, ch. 2021-183.

¹Note.—The word “from” was substituted for the word “than” by the editors.

736.1412 Application to cotrustee.—

(1) The terms of a trust may provide for the appointment of more than one trustee but confer upon one or more of the trustees, to the exclusion of the others, the power to direct or prevent specified actions of the trustees.

(2) The excluded trustees shall act in accordance with the exercise of the power in the manner, and with the same duty and liability, as directed trustees with respect to a trust director’s power of direction under s. 736.1409, relating to the duties and liabilities of a directed trustee; s. 736.141, relating to the duties of a trustee and trust director to provide and rely on information; and s. 736.1411, relating to limitations on the duties of trustees or trust directors to monitor, inform, or advise on matters involving the other.

(3) The trustee or trustees having the power to direct or prevent actions of the excluded trustees shall be liable to the beneficiaries with respect to the exercise of the power as if the excluded trustees were not in office and shall have the exclusive obligation to account to and to defend any action brought by the beneficiaries with respect to the exercise of the power.

History.—s. 23, ch. 2021-183.

736.1413 Limitation of action against trust director.—

(1) An action against a trust director for breach of trust must be commenced within the same limitation period for an action for breach of trust against a trustee in a like position and under similar circumstances under s. 736.1008, relating to limitations on proceedings against trustees.

(2) A trust accounting or any other written report of a trustee or a trust director has the same effect on the limitation period for an action against a trust director for breach of trust that such trust accounting or written report would have under s. 736.1008, relating to limitations on proceedings against trustees, in an action for breach of trust against a trustee in a like position and under similar circumstances.

History.—s. 24, ch. 2021-183.

736.1414 Defenses in action against trust director.—In an action against a trust director for breach of trust, the trust director may assert the same defenses a trustee in a like position and under similar circumstances could assert in an action for breach of trust against the trustee.

History.—s. 25, ch. 2021-183.

736.1415 Jurisdiction over trust director.—

(1) By accepting appointment as a trust director of a trust subject to this part, the trust director submits to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the state regarding any matter related to a power or duty of the trust director.

(2) This section does not preclude other methods of obtaining jurisdiction over a trust director.

History.—s. 26, ch. 2021-183.

736.1416 Office of trust director.—

(1) Unless the terms of a trust provide otherwise, a trust director shall be considered a trustee for purposes of the following:

(a) Role of the court in trust proceedings under s. 736.0201.

(b) Proceedings for review of employment of agents and review of compensation of a trustee and employees of a trust under s. 736.0206.

(c) Representation by the holder of power of appointment under s. 736.0302(4), relating to how trustees with discretionary power to make trust distributions do not have a power of appointment for purposes of representing persons affected by such power.

(d) Prohibition on a trustee acting as a designated representative under s. 736.0306(2).

(e) Validation of power to select a beneficiary from an indefinite class under s. 736.0402(3).

(f) As to allowing application by the trust director for judicial modification of a trust when such modification is not inconsistent with the settlor’s purpose under s. 736.04113, for judicial construction of provisions relating to federal taxes under s. 736.04114, for judicial modification of a trust when such modification is in the best interest of the beneficiaries under s. 736.04115, or for judicial modification or termination of an uneconomic trust under s. 736.0414(2), if the trust director is so authorized by the terms of the trust.

(g) Discretionary trusts and the effect of a standard under s. 736.0504, relating to special provisions regarding discretionary trusts.

(h) Trust assets not being subject to creditor claims by reason of discretionary powers granted to a trustee under s. 736.0505(1)(c).

(i) A trustee’s duty to pay trust obligations and expenses before paying obligations and expenses of the settlor’s estate under s. 736.05053(4).

(j) Acceptance or declination of a trusteeship under s. 736.0701.

(k) Requirement to give bond to secure performance under certain circumstances and court discretions relating to such bonds under s. 736.0702.

(l) Filling trustee vacancies and court appointment of an additional trustee or special fiduciary under s. 736.0704.

(m) Resignation of a trustee under s. 736.0705, including requirements, court authorizations, and remaining liabilities.

(n) Court removal of a trustee, including who may request a removal, under s. 736.0706, but not to give the trust director the power to request removal of a trustee.

(o) Reasonable compensation of a trustee or professional acting as a trustee under s. 736.0708.

(p) Entitlement of a trustee to reimbursement of expenses and liens to secure advances under s. 736.0709.

(q) Authority to pay costs or attorney fees without approval under s. 736.0802(10), if the trust director has a power of direction or, if the trust director has a further power to direct, the payment of such costs or attorney fees under s. 736.1406(2), relating to the explicit power of direction granted to a trust director, or s. 736.1406(3)(a), relating to the implied additional power of a director in furtherance of an express power of direction.

(r) Limitations on a trustee’s discretionary powers under s. 736.0814.

(s) Administration of trusts by trustees without regard to pending contests or proceedings, except as the court directs, under s. 736.08165.

(t) A trustee’s obligation to invest in accordance with chapter 518 under s. 736.0901.

(u) The exception to the prudent investor rule for life insurance under s. 736.0902.

(v) Remedies available for a trustee breach of trust under s. 736.1001.

(w) Damages against a trustee for breach of trust under s. 736.1002.

(x) A trustee’s immunity from liability for loss or no profit under s. 736.1003 if there is no breach of trust.

(y) Court-awarded attorney fees and costs under s. 736.1004 for breach of trust challenges.

(z) Fees available to a trustee’s attorney for extraordinary service under s. 736.1007(5), court variance of compensation for a trustee’s attorney under s. 736.1007(6), and agreements between a settlor and an attorney for fees to be provided to a trustee under s. 736.1007(7).

(aa) A trustee’s immunity from liability for a breach of trust under s. 736.1009 if the trustee relied on the trust instrument terms.

(bb) Limitations on a trustee’s liability for acting without knowledge of relevant events under s. 736.1010.

(cc) Limitations on a trustee’s exculpation of liability under the terms of a trust under s. 736.1011.

(dd) The release of a trustee from liability with consent, the release or ratification of a beneficiary, and the limitations on such actions under s. 736.1012.

(ee) Limitations on imposing liability on a trustee for obligations of a settlor under s. 736.1014.

(2) If a person has not accepted a trust directorship under the terms of the trust or has accepted or declined a trusteeship under s. 736.0701 or a trustee, settlor, or a qualified beneficiary of the trust is uncertain whether such acceptance has occurred, a trustee, settlor, or a qualified beneficiary of the trust may make a written demand on a person designated to serve as a trust director, with a written copy to the trustees, to accept or confirm prior acceptance of the trust directorship in writing. A written acceptance, written acknowledgment of prior acceptance, or written declination of the trust directorship shall be delivered by the designated trust director within 60 days after receipt of such demand to all trustees, qualified beneficiaries, and the settlor if living.

History.—s. 27, ch. 2021-183.

PART XV

COMMUNITY PROPERTY TRUST ACT

736.1501 Short title.

736.1502 Definitions.

736.1503 Requirements for community property trust.

736.1504 Agreement establishing community property trust; amendments and revocation.

736.1505 Classification of property as community property; enforcement; duration; management and control; effect of distributions.

736.1506 Satisfaction of obligations.

736.1507 Death of a spouse.

736.1508 Dissolution of marriage.

736.1509 Right of child to support.

736.151 Homestead property.

736.1511 Application of Internal Revenue Code; community property classified by another jurisdiction.

736.1512 Unenforceable trusts.

736.1501 Short title.—This part may be cited as the “Community Property Trust Act.”

History.—s. 29, ch. 2021-183.

736.1502 Definitions.—Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this part:

(1) “Community property” means the property and the appreciation of and income from the property owned by a qualified trustee of a community property trust during the marriage of the settlor spouses. The property owned by a community property trust pursuant to this part and the appreciation of and income from such property shall be deemed to be community property for purposes of general law.

(2) “Community property trust” means an express trust that complies with s. 736.1503 and is created on or after July 1, 2021.

(3) “Decree” means a judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(4) “Dissolution” means either:

(a) Termination of a marriage by a decree of dissolution, divorce, annulment, or declaration of invalidity; or

(b) Entry of a decree of legal separation maintenance by a court of competent jurisdiction in another state that recognizes legal separation or maintenance under its laws.

(5) “During marriage” means a period that begins at marriage and ends upon the dissolution of marriage or upon the death of a spouse.

(6) “Qualified trustee” means either:

(a) A natural person who is a resident of the state; or

(b) A company authorized to act as a trustee in the state.

A qualified trustee’s powers include, but are not limited to, maintaining records for the trust on an exclusive or a nonexclusive basis and preparing or arranging for the preparation of, on an exclusive or a nonexclusive basis, any income tax returns that must be filed by the trust.

(7) “Settlor spouses” means a married couple who establishes a community property trust pursuant to this part.

History.—s. 30, ch. 2021-183.

736.1503 Requirements for community property trust.—An arrangement is a community property trust if one or both settlor spouses transfer property to a trust that:

(1) Expressly declares that the trust is a community property trust within the meaning of this part.

(2) Has at least one trustee who is a qualified trustee, provided that both spouses or either spouse also may be a trustee.

(3) Is signed by both settlor spouses consistent with the formalities required for the execution of a trust under this chapter.

(4) Contains substantially the following language in capital letters at the beginning of the community property trust agreement:

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS COMMUNITY PROPERTY TRUST MAY BE VERY EXTENSIVE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CREDITORS AND OTHER THIRD PARTIES, AND YOUR RIGHTS WITH YOUR SPOUSE DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR MARRIAGE, AT THE TIME OF A DIVORCE, AND UPON THE DEATH OF YOU OR YOUR SPOUSE. ACCORDINGLY, THIS TRUST AGREEMENT SHOULD BE SIGNED ONLY AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TRUST AGREEMENT, YOU SHOULD SEEK COMPETENT AND INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE. ALTHOUGH NOT A REQUIREMENT, IT IS STRONGLY ADVISABLE THAT EACH SPOUSE OBTAIN THEIR OWN SEPARATE LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THIS TRUST.

History.—s. 31, ch. 2021-183.

736.1504 Agreement establishing community property trust; amendments and revocation.—

(1) In the agreement establishing a community property trust, the settlor spouses may agree upon:

(a) The rights and obligations in the property transferred to the trust, notwithstanding when and where the property is acquired or located.

(b) The management and control of the property transferred into the trust.

(c) The disposition of the property transferred to the trust on dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of another event, subject to ss. 736.1507 and 736.1508.

(d) Whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable.

(e) Any other matter that affects the property transferred to the trust and does not violate public policy or general law imposing a criminal penalty, or result in the property not being treated as community property under the laws of a relevant jurisdiction.

(2) In the event of the death of a settlor spouse, the surviving spouse may amend a community property trust regarding the disposition of that spouse’s one-half share of the community property, regardless of whether the agreement provides that the community property trust is irrevocable.

(3) A community property trust may be amended or revoked by the settlor spouses unless the agreement itself specifically provides that the community property trust is irrevocable.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the settlor spouses shall be deemed to be the only qualified beneficiaries of a community property trust until the death of one of the settlor spouses, regardless of whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable. After the death of one of the settlor spouses, the surviving spouse shall be deemed to be the only qualified beneficiary as to his or her share of the community property trust.

History.—s. 32, ch. 2021-183.

736.1505 Classification of property as community property; enforcement; duration; management and control; effect of distributions.—

(1) Whether both, one, or neither is domiciled in the state, settlor spouses may classify any or all of their property as community property by transferring that property to a community property trust and providing in the trust that the property is community property pursuant to this part.

(2) A community property trust is enforceable without consideration.

(3) All property owned by a community property trust is community property under the laws of the state during the marriage of the settlor spouses.

(4) The right to manage and control property that is transferred to a community property trust is determined by the terms of the trust agreement.

(5) When property is distributed from a community property trust, the property shall no longer constitute community property within the meaning of this part, provided that community property as classified by a jurisdiction other than the state retains its character as community property to the extent otherwise provided by ss. 732.216-732.228.

History.—s. 33, ch. 2021-183.

736.1506 Satisfaction of obligations.—Except as provided in s. 4, Art. X of the State Constitution:

(1) An obligation solely incurred by one settlor spouse before or during the marriage may be satisfied from that settlor spouse’s one-half share of a community property trust, unless a greater amount is otherwise provided in the community property trust agreement.

(2) An obligation incurred by both spouses during the marriage may be satisfied from a community property trust of the settlor spouses.

History.—s. 34, ch. 2021-183.

736.1507 Death of a spouse.—Upon the death of a spouse, one-half of the aggregate value of the property held in a community property trust established by the settlor spouses reflects the share of the surviving spouse and is not subject to testamentary disposition by the decedent spouse or distribution under the laws of succession of the state. The other one-half of the value of that property reflects the share of the decedent spouse and is subject to testamentary disposition or distribution under the laws of succession of the state. Unless provided otherwise in the community property trust agreement, the trustee has the power to distribute assets of the trust in divided or undivided interests and to adjust resulting differences in valuation. A distribution in kind may be made on the basis of a non-pro rata division of the aggregate value of the trust assets, on the basis of a pro rata division of each individual asset, or by using both methods. The decedent’s spouse’s one-half share shall not be included in the elective estate.

History.—s. 35, ch. 2021-183.

736.1508 Dissolution of marriage.—

(1) Upon the dissolution of the marriage of the settlor spouses, the community property trust shall terminate and the trustee shall distribute one-half of the trust assets to each spouse in accordance with subsection (3). For purposes of this act, s. 61.075 does not apply to the disposition of the assets and liabilities held in a community property trust.

(2) The initiation of an action to dissolve the settlor spouses’ marriage does not automatically terminate the community property trust unless otherwise agreed to by the settlor spouses in writing or otherwise ordered by the court having jurisdiction over the dissolution proceedings between the settlor spouses. However, if an action to dissolve the settlor spouses’ marriage remains pending for 180 days, the trust automatically terminates and the trustee must distribute one-half of the trust assets to each spouse in accordance with subsection (3), unless any of the following apply:

(a) A settlor spouse objects to the termination within 180 days following the filing of the dissolution action. At which time, either party may request that the court having jurisdiction over the dissolution proceedings between the settlor spouses determine if good cause exists to terminate the community property trust during the pendency of the dissolution of marriage action.

(b) The court having jurisdiction over the dissolution proceedings between the settlor spouses enters an order directing otherwise.

(d) The community property trust agreement provides otherwise.

(3) Unless provided otherwise in the community property trust agreement, the trustee has the power to distribute assets of the trust in divided or undivided interests and to adjust resulting differences in valuation. A distribution in kind may be made on the basis of a non-pro rata division of the aggregate value of the trust assets, on the basis of a pro rata division of each individual asset, or by using both methods. A trustee may not distribute real property or business interests in a manner that would leave the settlor spouses as co-owners of such assets post dissolution of the settlor spouses’ marriage or termination of the community property trust, unless otherwise agreed to by the settlor spouses in a separate written agreement executed during the dissolution of marriage action. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the community property trust agreement cannot be terminated, and the assets cannot be distributed, in a manner that could cause the trust assets to not be treated as community property.

(4) The court having jurisdiction over the dissolution proceedings between the settlor spouses has personal and subject matter jurisdiction over the settlor spouses and the trustee of the community property trust for the purpose of effectuating the distribution of the community property trust assets consistent with the terms of the community property trust agreement, in a manner ensuring that the trust assets retain their community property character.

History.—s. 36, ch. 2021-183.

736.1509 Right of child to support.—A community property trust does not adversely affect the right of a child of the settlor spouses to support, pursuant to s. 61.30 or the applicable law of another jurisdiction, that either spouse would be required to give under the applicable laws of the settlor spouses’ state of domicile.

History.—s. 37, ch. 2021-183.

736.151 Homestead property.—

(1) Property that is transferred to or acquired subject to a community property trust may continue to qualify or may initially qualify as the settlor spouses’ homestead within the meaning of s. 4(a)(1), Art. X of the State Constitution and for all purposes of general law, provided that the property would qualify as the settlor spouses’ homestead if title was held in one or both of the settlor spouses’ individual names.

(2) The settlor spouses shall be deemed to have beneficial title in equity to the homestead property held subject to a community property trust for all purposes, including for purposes of s. 196.031.

History.—s. 38, ch. 2021-183.

736.1511 Application of Internal Revenue Code; community property classified by another jurisdiction.—For purposes of the application of s. 1014(b)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. s. 1014(b)(6), as of January 1, 2021, a community property trust is considered a trust established under the community property laws of the state. Community property, as classified by a jurisdiction other than this state, which is transferred to a community property trust retains its character as community property while in the trust. If the trust is revoked and property is transferred on revocation of the trust, the community property as classified by a jurisdiction other than the state retains its character as community property to the extent otherwise provided by ss. 732.216-732.228.

History.—s. 39, ch. 2021-183.

736.1512 Unenforceable trusts.—

(1) A community property trust executed during marriage is not enforceable if the spouse against whom enforcement is sought proves that:

(a) The trust was unconscionable when made;

(b) The spouse against whom enforcement is sought did not execute the community property trust agreement voluntarily;

(d) Before execution of the community property trust agreement, the spouse against whom enforcement is sought:

1. Was not given a fair and reasonable disclosure of the property and financial obligations of the other spouse.

2. Did not voluntarily sign a written waiver expressly waiving right to disclosure of the property and financial obligations of the other spouse beyond the disclosure provided.

3. Did not have notice of the property or financial obligations of the other spouse.

(2) Whether a community property trust is unconscionable shall be determined by a court as a matter of law.

(3) A community property trust may not be deemed unenforceable solely on the fact that the settlor spouses did not have separate legal representation when executing the community property trust agreement.

History.—s. 40, ch. 2021-183.