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)
Chapter 738
PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
CHAPTER 738
PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
738.101 Short title.
738.102 Definitions.
738.103 Fiduciary duties; general principles.
738.104 Trustee’s power to adjust.
738.1041 Total return unitrust.
738.105 Judicial control of discretionary powers.
738.201 Determination and distribution of net income.
738.202 Distribution to residuary and remainder beneficiaries.
738.301 When right to income begins and ends.
738.302 Apportionment of receipts and disbursements when decedent dies or income interest begins.
738.303 Apportionment when income interest ends.
738.401 Character of receipts.
738.402 Distribution from trust or estate.
738.403 Business and other activities conducted by fiduciary.
738.501 Principal receipts.
738.502 Rental property.
738.503 Obligation to pay money.
738.504 Insurance policies and similar contracts.
738.601 Insubstantial allocations not required.
738.602 Payments from deferred compensation plans, annuities, and retirement plans or accounts.
738.603 Liquidating asset.
738.604 Minerals, water, and other natural resources.
738.605 Timber.
738.606 Property not productive of income.
738.607 Derivatives and options.
738.608 Asset-backed securities.
738.701 Disbursements from income.
738.702 Disbursements from principal.
738.703 Transfers from income to principal for depreciation.
738.704 Transfers from income to reimburse principal.
738.705 Income taxes.
738.706 Adjustments between principal and income because of taxes.
738.801 Apportionment of expenses; improvements.
738.802 Uniformity of application and construction.
738.803 Severability.
738.804 Application.
738.101 Short title.—This chapter may be cited as the “Florida Uniform Principal and Income Act.”
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42.
738.102 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) “Accounting period” means a calendar year unless another 12-month period is selected by a fiduciary. The term includes a portion of a calendar year or other 12-month period that begins when an income interest begins or ends when an income interest ends.
(2) “Beneficiary” means, in the case of a decedent’s estate, an heir or devisee and, in the case of a trust, an income beneficiary or a remainder beneficiary.
(3) “Carrying value” means the fair market value at the time the assets are received by the fiduciary. For the estates of decedents and trusts described in s. 733.707(3), after the grantor’s death, the assets are considered received as of the date of death. If there is a change in fiduciaries, a majority of the continuing fiduciaries may elect to adjust the carrying values to reflect the fair market value of the assets at the beginning of their administration. If such election is made, it must be reflected on the first accounting filed after the election. For assets acquired during the administration of the estate or trust, the carrying value is equal to the acquisition costs of the asset.
(4) “Fiduciary” means a personal representative or a trustee. The term includes an executor, administrator, successor personal representative, special administrator, or a person performing substantially the same function.
(5) “Income” means money or property that a fiduciary receives as current return from a principal asset. The term includes a portion of receipts from a sale, exchange, or liquidation of a principal asset, to the extent provided in ss. 738.401-738.403 and s. 738.503.
(6) “Income beneficiary” means a person to whom net income of a trust is or may be payable.
(7) “Income interest” means the right of an income beneficiary to receive all or part of net income, whether the terms of the trust require the net income to be distributed or authorize the net income to be distributed in the trustee’s discretion.
(8) “Mandatory income interest” means the right of an income beneficiary to receive net income that the terms of the trust require the fiduciary to distribute.
(9) “Net income” means the total receipts allocated to income during an accounting period minus the disbursements made from income during the period, plus or minus transfers under this chapter to or from income during the period.
(10) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity or a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality.
(11) “Principal” means property held in trust for distribution to a remainder beneficiary when the trust terminates.
(12) “Remainder beneficiary” means a person entitled to receive principal when an income interest ends.
(13) “Terms of a trust” means the manifestation of the intent of a grantor or decedent with respect to the trust, expressed in a manner that admits of its proof in a judicial proceeding, whether by written or spoken words or by conduct.
(14) “Trustee” includes an original, additional, or successor trustee, whether or not appointed or confirmed by a court.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 2, ch. 2012-49.
738.103 Fiduciary duties; general principles.—
(1) In allocating receipts and disbursements to or between principal and income, and with respect to any matter within the scope of ss. 738.201 and 738.202 and ss. 738.301-738.303, a fiduciary:
(a) Shall administer a trust or estate in accordance with the terms of the trust or the will, even if there is a different provision in this chapter.
(b) May administer a trust or estate by the exercise of a discretionary power of administration given to the fiduciary by the terms of the trust or the will, even if the exercise of the power produces a result different from a result required or permitted by this chapter.
(c) Shall administer a trust or estate in accordance with this chapter if the terms of the trust or the will do not contain a different provision or do not give the fiduciary a discretionary power of administration.
(d) Shall add a receipt or charge a disbursement to principal to the extent the terms of the trust and this chapter do not provide a rule for allocating the receipt or disbursement to or between principal and income.
(2) In exercising the power to adjust under s. 738.104(1) or a discretionary power of administration regarding a matter within the scope of this chapter, whether granted by the terms of a trust, a will, or this chapter, a fiduciary shall administer a trust or estate impartially, based on what is fair and reasonable to all of the beneficiaries, except to the extent the terms of the trust or the will clearly manifest an intention that the fiduciary shall or may favor one or more of the beneficiaries. A determination in accordance with this chapter is presumed to be fair and reasonable to all of the beneficiaries.
(3) Except as provided in s. 738.1041(9), this chapter pertains to the administration of a trust and is applicable to any trust that is administered in this state or under its law. This chapter also applies to any estate that is administered in this state unless the provision is limited in application to a trustee, rather than a fiduciary.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 3, ch. 2012-49.
738.104 Trustee’s power to adjust.—
(1) A trustee may adjust between principal and income to the extent the trustee considers necessary if the trustee invests and manages trust assets as a prudent investor, the terms of the trust describe the amount that may or shall be distributed to a beneficiary by referring to the trust’s income, and the trustee determines, after applying the rules in s. 738.103(1), that the trustee is unable to comply with s. 738.103(2).
(2) In deciding whether and to what extent to exercise the power conferred by subsection (1), a trustee shall consider all factors relevant to the trust and its beneficiaries, including the following factors to the extent they are relevant:
(a) The nature, purpose, and expected duration of the trust.
(b) The intent of the grantor.
(c) The identity and circumstances of the beneficiaries.
(d) The needs for liquidity, regularity of income, and preservation and appreciation of capital.
(e) The assets held in the trust; the extent to which the assets consist of financial assets, interests in closely held enterprises, tangible and intangible personal property, or real property; the extent to which an asset is used by a beneficiary; and whether an asset was purchased by the trustee or received from the grantor.
(f) The net amount allocated to income under the other sections of this chapter and the increases or decreases in the value of the principal assets, which the trustee may estimate as to assets for which market values are not readily available.
(g) Whether and to what extent the terms of the trust give the trustee the power to invade principal or accumulate income or prohibit the trustee from invading principal or accumulating income and the extent to which the trustee has exercised a power from time to time to invade principal or accumulate income.
(h) The actual and anticipated effect of economic conditions on principal and income and effects of inflation and deflation.
(i) The anticipated tax consequences of an adjustment.
(3) A trustee may not make an adjustment:
(a) That reduces the actuarial value of the income interest in a trust to which a person transfers property with the intent to qualify for a gift tax exclusion;
(b) That changes the amount payable to a beneficiary as a fixed annuity or a fixed fraction of the value of the trust assets;
(c) From any amount that is permanently set aside for charitable purposes under a will or the terms of a trust unless both income and principal are so set aside;
(d) If possessing or exercising the power to adjust causes an individual to be treated as the owner of all or part of the trust for income tax purposes and the individual would not be treated as the owner if the trustee did not possess the power to adjust;
(e) If possessing or exercising the power to adjust causes all or part of the trust assets to be included for estate tax purposes in the estate of an individual who has the power to remove a trustee or appoint a trustee, or both, and the assets would not be included in the estate of the individual if the trustee did not possess the power to adjust;
(f) If the trustee is a beneficiary of the trust; or
(g) If the trustee is not a beneficiary of the trust but the adjustment would benefit the trustee directly or indirectly, except that in the case of a trustee whose compensation for acting as trustee is based upon the value of trust assets, an adjustment that affects the value of trust assets shall not be deemed to benefit the trustee.
(4) If paragraph (3)(d), paragraph (3)(e), paragraph (3)(f), or paragraph (3)(g) applies to a trustee and there is more than one trustee, a cotrustee to whom the provision does not apply may make the adjustment unless the exercise of the power by the remaining trustee is not permitted by the terms of the trust.
(5) A trustee may release the entire power to adjust conferred by subsection (1) or may release only the power to adjust from income to principal or the power to adjust from principal to income if the trustee is uncertain about whether possessing or exercising the power will cause a result described in paragraphs (3)(a)-(e) or paragraph (3)(g) or if the trustee determines that possessing or exercising the power will or may deprive the trust of a tax benefit or impose a tax burden not described in subsection (3). A release under this subsection may be permanent or for a specified period, including a period measured by the life of an individual.
(6) Terms of a trust that limit a trustee’s power to adjust between principal and income do not affect the application of this section unless it is clear from the terms of the trust that the terms are intended to deny the trustee the power to adjust conferred by subsection (1).
(7) Nothing in this chapter is intended to create or imply a duty to make an adjustment and no inference of impropriety shall be made as a result of a trustee not exercising the power to adjust conferred by subsection (1).
(8) With respect to a trust in existence on January 1, 2003:
(a) A trustee shall not have the power to adjust under this section until the statement required in subsection (9) is provided and either no objection is made or any objection which is made has been terminated.
1. An objection is made if, within 60 days after the date of the statement required in subsection (9), a super majority of the eligible beneficiaries deliver to the trustee a written objection to the application of this section to such trust. An objection shall be deemed to be delivered to the trustee on the date the objection is mailed to the mailing address listed in the notice provided in subsection (9).
2. An objection is terminated upon the earlier of the receipt of consent from a super majority of eligible beneficiaries of the class that made the objection, or the resolution of the objection pursuant to paragraph (c).
(b) An objection or consent under this section may be executed by a legal representative or natural guardian of a beneficiary without the filing of any proceeding or approval of any court.
(c) If an objection is delivered to the trustee, then the trustee may petition the circuit court for an order quashing the objection and vesting in such trustee the power to adjust under this section. The burden will be on the objecting beneficiaries to prove that the power to adjust would be inequitable, illegal, or otherwise in contravention of the grantor’s intent. The court may award costs and attorney’s fees relating to the trustee’s petition in the same manner as in chancery actions. When costs and attorney’s fees are to be paid out of the trust, the court may, in its discretion, direct from which part of the trust they shall be paid.
(d) If no timely objection is made or if the trustee is vested with the power to adjust by court order, the trustee may thereafter exercise the power to adjust without providing notice of its intent to do so unless, in vesting the trustee with the power to adjust, the court determines that unusual circumstances require otherwise.
(e)1. If a trustee makes a good faith effort to comply with the notice provisions of subsection (9), but fails to deliver notice to one or more beneficiaries entitled to such notice, neither the validity of the notice required under this subsection nor the trustee’s power to adjust under this section shall be affected until the trustee has actual notice that one or more beneficiaries entitled to notice were not notified. Until the trustee has actual notice of the notice deficiency, the trustee shall have all of the powers and protections granted a trustee with the power to adjust under this chapter.
2. When the trustee has actual notice that one or more beneficiaries entitled to notice under subsection (9) were not notified, the trustee’s power to adjust under this section shall cease until all beneficiaries who are entitled to such notice, including those who were previously provided with such notice, are notified and given the opportunity to object as provided for under this subsection.
(f) The objection of a super majority of eligible beneficiaries under this subsection shall be valid for a period of 1 year after the date of the notice set forth in subsection (9). Upon expiration of the objection, the trustee may thereafter give a new notice under subsection (9).
(g) Nothing in this section is intended to create or imply a duty of the trustee of a trust existing on January 1, 2003, to seek a power to adjust pursuant to this subsection or to give the notice described in subsection (9) if the trustee does not desire to have a power to adjust under this section, and no inference of impropriety shall be made as the result of a trustee not seeking a power to adjust pursuant to this subsection.
(9)(a) A trustee of a trust in existence on January 1, 2003, that is not prohibited under subsection (3) from exercising the power to adjust shall, any time prior to initially exercising the power, provide to all eligible beneficiaries a statement containing the following:
1. The name, telephone number, street address, and mailing address of the trustee and of any individuals who may be contacted for further information;
2. A statement that unless a super majority of the eligible beneficiaries objects to the application of this section to the trust within 60 days after the date the statement pursuant to this subsection was served, this section shall apply to the trust; and
3. A statement that, if this section applies to the trust, the trustee will have the power to adjust between income and principal and that such a power may have an effect on the distributions to such beneficiary from the trust.
(b) The statement may contain information regarding a trustee’s fiduciary obligations with respect to the power to adjust between income and principal under this section.
(c) The statement referred to in this subsection shall be served informally, in the manner provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure relating to service of pleadings subsequent to the initial pleading. The statement may be served on a legal representative or natural guardian of a beneficiary without the filing of any proceeding or approval of any court.
(d) For purposes of subsection (8) and this subsection, the term:
1. “Eligible beneficiaries” means:
a. If at the time the determination is made there are one or more beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a) and (c); or
b. If there is no beneficiary described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a) and (b).
2. “Super majority of the eligible beneficiaries” means:
a. If at the time the determination is made there are one or more beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), at least two-thirds in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a) or two-thirds in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), if the interests of the beneficiaries are reasonably ascertainable; otherwise, it means two-thirds in number of either such class; or
b. If there is no beneficiary described in s. 736.0103(19)(c), at least two-thirds in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(a) or two-thirds in interest of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(19)(b), if the interests of the beneficiaries are reasonably ascertainable, otherwise, two-thirds in number of either such class.
(10) A trust exists on January 1, 2003, if it is not revocable on January 1, 2003. A trust is revocable if revocable by the grantor alone or in conjunction with any other person. A trust is not revocable for purposes of this section if revocable by the grantor only with the consent of all persons having a beneficial interest in the property.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 1, ch. 2003-43; s. 5, ch. 2005-85; s. 40, ch. 2006-217; s. 4, ch. 2012-49; s. 20, ch. 2013-172; s. 43, ch. 2021-183.
738.1041 Total return unitrust.—
(1) For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) “Average fair market value” means the average of the fair market values of assets held by the trust at the beginning of the current and each of the 2 preceding years, or for the entire term of the trust if there are less than 2 preceding years, and adjusted as follows:
1. If assets have been added to the trust during the years used to determine the average, the amount of each addition is added to all years in which such addition was not included.
2. If assets have been distributed from the trust during the years used to determine the average, other than in satisfaction of the unitrust amount, the amount of each distribution is subtracted from all years in which such distribution was not included.
(b) “Disinterested person” means a person who is not a related or subordinate party with respect to the person acting as trustee of the trust and excludes the grantor and any interested trustee.
(c) “Fair market value” means the fair market value of the assets held by the trust as otherwise determined under this chapter, reduced by all known noncontingent liabilities.
(d) “Income trust” means a trust, created by an inter vivos or a testamentary instrument, which directs or permits the trustee to distribute the net income of the trust to one or more persons, in fixed proportions or in amounts or proportions determined by the trustee and regardless of whether the trust directs or permits the trustee to distribute the principal of the trust to one or more such persons.
(e) “Interested distributee” means a person to whom distributions of income or principal can currently be made and who has the power to remove the existing trustee and designate as successor a person who may be a related or subordinate party with respect to such distributee.
(f) “Interested trustee” means an individual trustee to whom the net income or principal of the trust can currently be distributed or would be distributed if the trust were then to terminate and be distributed, any trustee whom an interested distributee has the power to remove and replace with a related or subordinate party, or an individual trustee whose legal obligation to support a beneficiary may be satisfied by distributions of income and principal of the trust.
(g) “Related or subordinate party” has the same meaning as provided in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 672(c) or any successor provision thereof.
(h) “Unitrust amount” means the amount determined by multiplying the average fair market value of the assets as calculated in paragraph (a) by the percentage calculated under paragraph (2)(b).
(2) A trustee may, without court approval, convert an income trust to a total return unitrust, reconvert a total return unitrust to an income trust, or change the percentage used to calculate the unitrust amount or the method used to determine the fair market value of the trust if:
(a) The trustee adopts a written statement regarding trust distributions which provides:
1. In the case of a trust being administered as an income trust, that future distributions from the trust will be unitrust amounts rather than net income, and indicates the manner in which the unitrust amount will be calculated and the method in which the fair market value of the trust will be determined.
2. In the case of a trust being administered as a total return unitrust, that:
a. Future distributions from the trust will be net income rather than unitrust amounts; or
b. The percentage used to calculate the unitrust amount or the method used to determine the fair market value of the trust will be changed, and indicates the manner in which the new unitrust amount will be calculated and the method in which the new fair market value of the trust will be determined;
(b) The trustee determines the terms of the unitrust under one of the following methods:
1. A disinterested trustee determines, or if there is no trustee other than an interested trustee, the interested trustee appoints a disinterested person who, in its sole discretion but acting in a fiduciary capacity, determines for the interested trustee:
a. The percentage to be used to calculate the unitrust amount, provided the percentage used is not greater than 5 percent nor less than 3 percent;
b. The method to be used in determining the fair market value of the trust; and
c. Which assets, if any, are to be excluded in determining the unitrust amount; or
2. The interested trustee or disinterested trustee administers the trust such that:
a. The percentage used to calculate the unitrust amount is 50 percent of the rate as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 7520, in effect for the month the conversion under this section becomes effective and for each January thereafter; however, if the percentage calculated exceeds 5 percent, the unitrust percentage is 5 percent and if the percentage calculated is less than 3 percent, the unitrust percentage is 3 percent; and
b. The fair market value of the trust shall be determined at least annually on an asset-by-asset basis, reasonably and in good faith, in accordance with s. 738.202(5), except the following property shall not be included in determining the value of the trust:
(I) Any residential property or any tangible personal property that, as of the first business day of the current valuation year, one or more current beneficiaries of the trust have or have had the right to occupy, or have or have had the right to possess or control, other than in his or her capacity as trustee of the trust, and instead the right of occupancy or the right to possession and control is the unitrust amount with respect to such property; however, the unitrust amount must be adjusted to take into account partial distributions from or receipt into the trust of such property during the valuation year;
(II) Any asset specifically given to a beneficiary and the return on investment on such property, which return on investment shall be distributable to the beneficiary; or
(III) Any asset while held in a decedent’s estate;
(c) The trustee sends written notice of its intention to take such action, along with copies of the written statement regarding trust distributions and this section, and, if applicable, the determinations of the trustee or the disinterested person to:
1. The grantor of the trust, if living.
2. All living persons who are currently receiving or eligible to receive distributions of income from the trust.
3. All living persons who would receive distributions of principal of the trust if the trust were to terminate at the time of giving such notice without regard to the exercise of any power of appointment, or, if the trust does not provide for its termination, all living persons who would receive or be eligible to receive distributions of income or principal of the trust if the persons identified in subparagraph 2. were deceased.
4. All persons acting as advisers or protectors of the trust.
Notice under this paragraph shall be served informally in the manner provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure relating to service of pleadings subsequent to the initial pleading. Notice may be served on a legal representative or natural guardian of a person without filing any proceeding or approval of any court;
(d) At least one person receiving notice under each of subparagraphs (c)2. and 3. is legally competent; and
(e) No person receiving such notice objects, by written instrument delivered to the trustee, to the proposed action of the trustee or the determinations of the disinterested person within 60 days after service of such notice. An objection may be executed by a legal representative or natural guardian of a person without filing any proceeding or approval of any court.
(3) If a trustee desires to convert an income trust to a total return unitrust, reconvert a total return unitrust to an income trust, or change the percentage used to calculate the unitrust amount or the method used to determine a fair market value of the trust but does not have the ability to or elects not to do it under subsection (2), the trustee may petition the circuit court for such order as the trustee deems appropriate. In that event, the court, in its own discretion or on the petition of such trustee or any person having an income or remainder interest in the trust, may appoint a disinterested person who, acting in a fiduciary capacity, shall present such information to the court as is necessary for the court to make a determination hereunder.
(4) Following the conversion of an income trust to a total return unitrust, the trustee:
(a) Shall treat the unitrust amount as if it were net income of the trust for purposes of determining the amount available, from time to time, for distribution from the trust.
(b) May allocate to trust income for each taxable year of the trust, or portion thereof:
1. Net short-term capital gain described in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 1222(5), for such year, or portion thereof, but only to the extent that the amount so allocated together with all other amounts allocated to trust income, as determined under the provisions of this chapter without regard to this section and s. 738.104, for such year, or portion thereof, does not exceed the unitrust amount for such year, or portion thereof.
2. Net long-term capital gain described in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 1222(7), for such year, or portion thereof, but only to the extent that the amount so allocated together with all other amounts, including amounts described in subparagraph 1., allocated to trust income for such year, or portion thereof, does not exceed the unitrust amount for such year, or portion thereof.
(5) In administering a total return unitrust, the trustee may, in its sole discretion but subject to the provisions of the governing instrument, determine:
(a) The effective date of the conversion.
(b) The timing of distributions, including provisions for prorating a distribution for a short year in which a beneficiary’s right to payments commences or ceases.
(c) Whether distributions are to be made in cash or in kind or partly in cash and partly in kind.
(d) If the trust is reconverted to an income trust, the effective date of such reconversion.
(e) Such other administrative issues as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section.
(6) Conversion to a total return unitrust under this section does not affect any other provision of the governing instrument, if any, regarding distributions of principal.
(7) Any trustee or disinterested person who in good faith takes or fails to take any action under this section is not liable to any person affected by such action or inaction, regardless of whether such person received written notice as provided in this section or such person was under a legal disability at the time of the delivery of such notice. Such person’s exclusive remedy is to obtain, under subsection (8), an order of the court directing the trustee to convert an income trust to a total return unitrust, to reconvert from a total return unitrust to an income trust, or to change the percentage used to calculate the unitrust amount. If a court determines that the trustee or disinterested person has not acted in good faith in taking or failing to take any action under this section, s. 738.105(3) applies.
(8) If a majority in interest of the income or remainder beneficiaries of an income trust has delivered to the trustee a written objection to the amount of the income distributions of the trust, and, if the trustee has failed to resolve the objection to the satisfaction of the objecting beneficiaries within 6 months after receipt of such written objection, the objecting beneficiaries may petition the court in accordance with subsection (3).
(9) This section pertains to the administration of a trust and is applicable to any trust that is administered in this state or under Florida law unless:
(a) The governing instrument reflects an intention that the current beneficiary or beneficiaries are to receive an amount other than a reasonable current return from the trust;
(b) The trust is a trust described in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 170(f)(2)(B), s. 642(c)(5), s. 664(d), s. 2702(a)(3), or s. 2702(b);
(c) One or more persons to whom the trustee could distribute income have a power of withdrawal over the trust:
1. That is not subject to an ascertainable standard under the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 2041 or s. 2514, and exceeds in any calendar year the amount set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 2041(b)(2) or s. 2514(e); or
2. A power of withdrawal over the trust that can be exercised to discharge a duty of support he or she possesses; or
(d) The governing instrument expressly prohibits use of this section by specific reference to the section. A provision in the governing instrument that, “The provisions of section 738.1041, Florida Statutes, as amended, or any corresponding provision of future law, may not be used in the administration of this trust,” or similar words reflecting such intent are sufficient to preclude the use of this section.
(10) The grantor of a trust may create an express total return unitrust that will be effective as provided in the trust instrument without requiring a conversion under this section.
(a) An express total return unitrust created by the grantor of the trust is treated as a unitrust only if the terms of the trust instrument contain all of the following provisions:
1. That distributions from the trust will be unitrust amounts and the manner in which the unitrust amount will be calculated; and
2. The percentage to be used to calculate the unitrust amount, provided the percentage used is not greater than 5 percent nor less than 3 percent.
(b) The trust instrument may also contain provisions specifying:
1. The method to be used in determining the fair market value of the trust, including whether to use an average fair market value or the fair market value of the assets held by the trust at the beginning of the current year; or
2. Which assets, if any, are to be excluded in determining the unitrust amount.
(c) This section establishes the method of determining the fair market value of the trust if the trust instrument is silent as to subparagraph (b)1., and to specify those assets, if any, which are to be excluded in determining the unitrust amount if the trust instrument is silent as to subparagraph (b)2.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 2, ch. 2003-43; s. 6, ch. 2005-85; s. 41, ch. 2006-217; s. 5, ch. 2012-49.
738.105 Judicial control of discretionary powers.—
(1) A court may not change a trustee’s decision to exercise or not to exercise a discretionary power conferred by this chapter unless the court determines that the decision was an abuse of the trustee’s discretion. A court may 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) The decisions to which subsection (1) applies include:
(a) A determination under s. 738.104(1) of whether and to what extent an amount should be transferred from principal to income or from income to principal.
(b) A determination of the factors that are relevant to the trust and trust beneficiaries, the extent to which such factors are relevant, and the weight, if any, to be given to the relevant factors, in deciding whether and to what extent to exercise the power conferred by s. 738.104(1).
(3) If a court determines that a trustee has abused its discretion, the remedy is to restore the income and remainder beneficiaries to the positions they would have occupied if the trustee had not abused its discretion, in accordance with the following:
(a) To the extent the abuse of discretion has resulted in no distribution to a beneficiary or a distribution that is too small, the court shall require the trustee to distribute 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 abuse of discretion has resulted in a distribution to a beneficiary that is too large, the court shall 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 requiring that beneficiary to return some or all of the distribution to the trust.
(c) To the extent the court is unable, after applying paragraphs (a) and (b), to restore the beneficiaries or the trust, or both, to the positions they would have occupied if the trustee had not abused its discretion, the court may require the trustee to pay an appropriate amount from its own funds to one or more of the beneficiaries or the trust or both.
(4) Upon the filing of a petition by the trustee, the court having jurisdiction over the trust shall determine whether a proposed exercise or nonexercise by the trustee of a discretionary power conferred by this chapter will result in an abuse of the trustee’s discretion. If the petition describes the proposed exercise or nonexercise of the power and contains sufficient information to inform the beneficiaries of the reasons for the proposal, the facts upon which the trustee relies, and an explanation of how the income and remainder beneficiaries will be affected by the proposed exercise or nonexercise of the power, a beneficiary who challenges the proposed exercise or nonexercise has the burden of establishing that such exercise or nonexercise will result in an abuse of discretion.
(5) If an action is instituted alleging an abuse of discretion in the exercise or nonexercise of the power of adjustment conferred by s. 738.104(1) and the court determines that no abuse of discretion has occurred, the trustee’s costs and attorney’s fees incurred in defending the action shall be paid from the trust assets.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 6, ch. 2012-49.
738.201 Determination and distribution of net income.—After a decedent dies, in the case of an estate, or after an income interest in a trust ends, the following rules apply:
(1) A fiduciary of an estate or of a terminating income interest shall determine the amount of net income and net principal receipts received from property specifically given to a beneficiary under ss. 738.301-738.706 and subsection (5). The fiduciary shall distribute the net income and net principal receipts to the beneficiary who is to receive the specific property.
(2) A fiduciary shall determine the remaining net income of a decedent’s estate or a terminating income interest under ss. 738.301-738.706 and by:
(a) Including in net income all income from property used to discharge liabilities.
(b) Paying from income or principal, in the fiduciary’s discretion, fees of attorneys, accountants, and fiduciaries; court costs and other expenses of administration; and interest on death taxes. The fiduciary may pay those expenses from income of property passing to a trust for which the fiduciary claims an estate tax marital or charitable deduction under the Internal Revenue Code or comparable law of any state only to the extent the payment of those expenses from income will not cause the reduction or loss of the deduction.
(c) Paying from principal all other disbursements made or incurred in connection with the settlement of a decedent’s estate or the winding up of a terminating income interest, including debts, funeral expenses, disposition of remains, family allowances, and death taxes and related penalties that are apportioned to the estate or terminating income interest by the will, the terms of the trust, or applicable law.
(3) If a beneficiary who receives a pecuniary devise outright is also entitled to receive interest or any other amount on the devise under the terms of the will or trust, the fiduciary shall distribute the interest or other amount from net income determined under subsection (2) or from principal to the extent net income is insufficient.
(4) A fiduciary shall distribute the net income remaining after distributions required under subsections (1)-(3) in the manner described in s. 738.202 to all other beneficiaries, including a beneficiary who receives a pecuniary amount in trust, even if the beneficiary holds an unqualified power to withdraw assets from the trust or other presently exercisable general power of appointment over the trust.
(5) A fiduciary may not reduce principal or income receipts from property described in subsection (1) because of a payment described in s. 738.701 or s. 738.702 to the extent the will, the terms of the trust, or applicable law requires the fiduciary to make the payment from assets other than the property or to the extent the fiduciary recovers or expects to recover the payment from a third party. The net income and principal receipts from the property are determined by including all of the amounts the fiduciary receives or pays with respect to the property, whether those amounts accrued or became due before, on, or after the date of a decedent’s death or an income interest’s terminating event, and by making a reasonable provision for amounts the fiduciary believes the estate or terminating income interest may become obligated to pay after the property is distributed.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 7, ch. 2012-49.
738.202 Distribution to residuary and remainder beneficiaries.—
(1) Each beneficiary described in s. 738.201(4) is entitled to receive a portion of the net income remaining after the application of s. 738.201(1)-(3), which is equal to the beneficiary’s fractional interest in undistributed principal assets, using carrying values as of the distribution date. If a fiduciary makes more than one distribution of assets to beneficiaries to whom this section applies, each beneficiary, including one who does not receive part of the distribution, is entitled, as of each distribution date, to the net income the fiduciary received after the date of death or terminating event or earlier distribution date but has not distributed as of the current distribution date.
(2) In determining a beneficiary’s share of net income, the following applies:
(a) The beneficiary is entitled to receive a portion of the net income equal to the beneficiary’s fractional interest in the carrying value of the undistributed principal assets immediately before the distribution date, excluding the amount of unpaid liabilities.
(b) The beneficiary’s fractional interest in the undistributed principal assets shall be calculated:
1. At the time the interest began and adjusted for any disproportionate distributions since the interest began;
2. By excluding any liabilities of the estate or trust from the calculation;
3. By also excluding property specifically given to a beneficiary and property required to pay pecuniary amounts not in trust; and
4. On the basis of the aggregate carrying value of those assets determined under subsection (1) as of the distribution date.
(c) If a disproportionate distribution of principal is made to any beneficiary, the respective fractional interests of all beneficiaries in the remaining underlying assets shall be recomputed by:
1. Adjusting the carrying value of the principal assets to their fair market value before the distribution;
2. Reducing the fractional interest of the recipient of the disproportionate distribution in the remaining principal assets by the fair market value of the principal distribution; and
3. Recomputing the fractional interests of all beneficiaries in the remaining principal assets based upon the now restated carrying values.
(3) If a fiduciary does not distribute all of the collected but undistributed net income to each person as of a distribution date, the fiduciary shall maintain appropriate records showing the interest of each beneficiary in that net income.
(4) A fiduciary may apply the provisions of this section, to the extent the fiduciary considers appropriate, to net gain or loss realized after the date of death or terminating event or earlier distribution date from the disposition of a principal asset if this section applies to the income from the asset.
(5) The carrying value or fair market value of trust assets shall be determined on an asset-by-asset basis and is conclusive if reasonable and determined in good faith. Determinations of fair market value based on appraisals performed within 2 years before or after the valuation date are presumed reasonable. The values of trust assets are conclusively presumed to be reasonable and determined in good faith unless proven otherwise in a proceeding commenced by or on behalf of a person interested in the trust within the time provided in s. 736.1008.
(6) All distributions to a beneficiary shall be valued based on their fair market value on the date of distribution.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 3, ch. 2003-43; s. 42, ch. 2006-217; s. 8, ch. 2012-49.
738.301 When right to income begins and ends.—An income beneficiary is entitled to net income from the date on which the income interest begins.
(1) An income interest begins on the date specified in the terms of the trust or, if no date is specified, on the date an asset becomes subject to a trust or successive income interest.
(2) An asset becomes subject to a trust:
(a) On the date the asset is transferred to the trust in the case of an asset that is transferred to a trust during the transferor’s life;
(b) On the date of a testator’s death in the case of an asset that becomes subject to a trust by reason of a will, even if there is an intervening period of administration of the testator’s estate; or
(c) On the date of an individual’s death in the case of an asset that is transferred to a fiduciary by a third party because of the individual’s death.
(3) An asset becomes subject to a successive income interest on the day after the preceding income interest ends, as determined under subsection (4), even if there is an intervening period of administration to wind up the preceding income interest.
(4) An income interest ends on the day before an income beneficiary dies or another terminating event occurs, or on the last day of a period during which there is no beneficiary to whom a fiduciary may distribute income.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 9, ch. 2012-49.
738.302 Apportionment of receipts and disbursements when decedent dies or income interest begins.—
(1) A fiduciary shall allocate an income receipt or disbursement other than one to which s. 738.201(1) applies to principal if the due date of the receipt or disbursement occurs before a decedent dies in the case of an estate or before an income interest begins in the case of a trust or successive income interest.
(2) A fiduciary shall allocate an income receipt or disbursement to income if the due date of the receipt or disbursement occurs on or after the date on which a decedent dies or an income interest begins and the due date is a periodic due date. An income receipt or disbursement shall be treated as accruing from day to day if the due date of the receipt or disbursement is not periodic or the receipt or disbursement has no due date. The portion of the receipt or disbursement accruing before the date on which a decedent dies or an income interest begins shall be allocated to principal and the balance shall be allocated to income.
(3) An item of income or an obligation is due on the date the payor is required to make a payment. If a payment date is not stated, there is no due date for the purposes of this chapter. Distributions to shareholders or other owners from an entity to which s. 738.401 applies are deemed to be due on the date fixed by the entity for determining who is entitled to receive the distribution or, if no date is fixed, on the declaration date for the distribution. A due date is periodic for receipts or disbursements that shall be paid at regular intervals under a lease or an obligation to pay interest or if an entity customarily makes distributions at regular intervals.
(4) Nothing in this section shall prevent the application of s. 733.817 to apportion tax to the income recipient under this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 10, ch. 2012-49.
738.303 Apportionment when income interest ends.—
(1) For purposes of this section, “undistributed income” means net income received on or before the date on which an income interest ends. The term does not include an item of income or expense that is due or accrued or net income that has been added or is required to be added to principal under the terms of the trust. In the case of a trust being administered as a unitrust under s. 738.1041, the term “undistributed income” means the prorated unitrust amount computed on a daily basis through the date on which the income interest ends.
(2) When a mandatory income interest ends, the fiduciary shall pay to a mandatory income beneficiary who survives that date, or the estate of a deceased mandatory income beneficiary whose death causes the interest to end, the beneficiary’s share of the undistributed income that is not disposed of under the terms of the trust unless the beneficiary has an unqualified power to revoke more than 5 percent of the trust immediately before the income interest ends. In the latter case, the undistributed income from the portion of the trust that may be revoked shall be added to principal.
(3) When a fiduciary’s obligation to pay a fixed annuity or a fixed fraction of the value of the trust’s assets ends, the fiduciary shall prorate the final payment if and to the extent required by applicable law to accomplish a purpose of the trust or its grantor relating to income, gift, estate, or other tax requirements.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 7, ch. 2005-85; s. 11, ch. 2012-49.
738.401 Character of receipts.—
(1) For purposes of this section, the term “entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, regulated investment company, real estate investment trust, common trust fund, or any other organization in which a fiduciary has an interest other than a trust or estate to which s. 738.402 applies, a business or activity to which s. 738.403 applies, or an asset-backed security to which s. 738.608 applies.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a fiduciary shall allocate to income money received from an entity.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a fiduciary shall allocate the following receipts from an entity to principal:
(a) Property other than money.
(b) Money received in one distribution or a series of related distributions in exchange for part or all of a trust’s or estate’s interest in the entity.
(c) Money received in total or partial liquidation of the entity.
(d) Money received from an entity that is a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust if the money received represents short-term or long-term capital gain realized within the entity.
(e) Money received from an entity listed on a public stock exchange during any year of the trust or estate which exceeds 10 percent of the fair market value of the trust’s or estate’s interest in the entity on the first day of that year. The amount to be allocated to principal must be reduced to the extent that the cumulative distributions from the entity to the trust or estate allocated to income do not exceed a cumulative annual return of 3 percent of the fair market value of the interest in the entity at the beginning of each year or portion of a year for the number of years or portion of years in the period that the interest in the entity has been held by the trust or estate. If a trustee has exercised a power to adjust under s. 738.104 during any period the interest in the entity has been held by the trust, the trustee, in determining the total income distributions from that entity, must take into account the extent to which the exercise of that power resulted in income to the trust from that entity for that period. If the income of the trust for any period has been computed under s. 738.1041, the trustee, in determining the total income distributions from that entity for that period, must take into account the portion of the unitrust amount paid as a result of the ownership of the trust’s interest in the entity for that period.
(4) If a fiduciary elects, or continues an election made by its predecessor, to reinvest dividends in shares of stock of a distributing corporation or fund, whether evidenced by new certificates or entries on the books of the distributing entity, the new shares retain their character as income.
(5) Money is received in partial liquidation:
(a) To the extent the entity, at or near the time of a distribution, indicates that such money is a distribution in partial liquidation; or
(b) To the extent the total amount of money and property received in a distribution or series of related distributions from an entity that is not listed on a public stock exchange exceeds 20 percent of the trust’s or estate’s pro rata share of the entity’s gross assets, as shown by the entity’s year-end financial statements immediately preceding the initial receipt.
This subsection does not apply to an entity to which subsection (7) applies.
(6) Money may not be taken into account in determining any excess under paragraph (5)(b), to the extent that the cumulative distributions from the entity to the trust or the estate allocated to income do not exceed the greater of:
(a) A cumulative annual return of 3 percent of the entity’s carrying value computed at the beginning of each period for the number of years or portion of years that the entity was held by the fiduciary. If a trustee has exercised a power to adjust under s. 738.104 during any period the interest in the entity has been held by the trust, the trustee, in determining the total income distributions from that entity, must take into account the extent to which exercise of the power resulted in income to the trust from that entity for that period. If the income of a trust for any period has been computed pursuant to s. 738.1041, the trustee, in determining the total income distributions from the entity for that period, must take into account the portion of the unitrust amount paid as a result of the ownership of the trust’s interest in the entity for that period; or
(b) If the entity is treated as a partnership, subchapter S corporation, or a disregarded entity pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the amount of income tax attributable to the trust’s or estate’s ownership share of the entity, based on its pro rata share of the taxable income of the entity that distributes the money, for the number of years or portion of years that the interest in the entity was held by the fiduciary, calculated as if all of that tax was incurred by the fiduciary.
(7) The following applies to money or property received by a private trustee as a distribution from an investment entity described in this subsection:
(a) The trustee shall first treat as income of the trust all of the money or property received from the investment entity in the current year which would be considered income under this chapter if the trustee had directly held the trust’s pro rata share of the assets of the investment entity. For this purpose, all distributions received in the current year must be aggregated.
(b) The trustee shall next treat as income of the trust any additional money or property received in the current year which would have been considered income in the prior 2 years under paragraph (a) if additional money or property had been received from the investment entity in any of those prior 2 years. The amount to be treated as income shall be reduced by any distributions of money or property made by the investment entity to the trust during the current and prior 2 years which were treated as income under this paragraph.
(c) The remainder of the distribution, if any, is treated as principal.
(d) As used in this subsection, the term:
1. “Investment entity” means an entity, other than a business activity conducted by the trustee described in s. 738.403 or an entity that is listed on a public stock exchange, which is treated as a partnership, subchapter S corporation, or disregarded entity pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and which normally derives 50 percent or more of its annual cumulative net income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rental activity, or other passive investments, including income from the sale or exchange of such passive investments.
2. “Private trustee” means a trustee who is a natural person, but only if the trustee is unable to use the power to adjust between income and principal with respect to receipts from entities described in this subsection pursuant to s. 738.104. A bank, trust company, or other commercial trustee is not considered a private trustee.
(8) This section shall be applied before ss. 738.705 and 738.706 and does not modify or change any of the provisions of those sections.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 4, ch. 2003-43; s. 8, ch. 2005-85; s. 12, ch. 2012-49.
738.402 Distribution from trust or estate.—A fiduciary shall allocate to income an amount received as a distribution of income from a trust or an estate in which the trust has an interest other than a purchased interest and allocate to principal an amount received as a distribution of principal from such a trust or estate. If a fiduciary purchases an interest in a trust that is an investment entity, or a decedent or donor transfers an interest in such a trust to a fiduciary, s. 738.401 or s. 738.608 applies to a receipt from the trust.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 13, ch. 2012-49.
738.403 Business and other activities conducted by fiduciary.—
(1) If a fiduciary who conducts a business or other activity determines that it is in the best interest of all the beneficiaries to account separately for the business or activity instead of accounting for the business or activity as part of the trust’s or estate’s general accounting records, the fiduciary may maintain separate accounting records for the transactions of the business or other activity, whether or not the assets of such business or activity are segregated from other trust or estate assets.
(2) A fiduciary who accounts separately for a business or other activity may determine the extent to which the net cash receipts of the business or activity must be retained for working capital, the acquisition or replacement of fixed assets, and other reasonably foreseeable needs of the business or activity, and the extent to which the remaining net cash receipts are accounted for as principal or income in the trust’s or estate’s general accounting records. If a fiduciary sells assets of the business or other activity, other than in the ordinary course of the business or activity, the fiduciary must account for the net amount received as principal in the trust’s or estate’s general accounting records to the extent the fiduciary determines that the amount received is no longer required in the conduct of the business.
(3) Activities for which a fiduciary may maintain separate accounting records include:
(a) Retail, manufacturing, service, and other traditional business activities.
(b) Farming.
(c) Raising and selling livestock and other animals.
(d) Management of rental properties.
(e) Extraction of minerals and other natural resources.
(f) Timber operations.
(g) Activities to which s. 738.607 applies.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 14, ch. 2012-49.
738.501 Principal receipts.—A fiduciary shall allocate to principal:
(1) To the extent not allocated to income under this chapter, assets received from a donor during the donor’s lifetime, a decedent’s estate, a trust with a terminating income interest, or a payor under a contract naming the trust, estate, or fiduciary as beneficiary.
(2) Money or other property received from the sale, exchange, liquidation, or change in form of a principal asset, including realized profit, subject to this section.
(3) Amounts recovered from third parties to reimburse the trust or estate because of disbursements described in s. 738.702(1)(g) or for other reasons to the extent not based on the loss of income.
(4) Proceeds of property taken by eminent domain; however, a separate award made for the loss of income with respect to an accounting period during which a current income beneficiary had a mandatory income interest is income.
(5) Net income received in an accounting period during which there is no beneficiary to whom a fiduciary may or shall distribute income.
(6) Other receipts as provided in ss. 738.601-738.608.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 15, ch. 2012-49.
738.502 Rental property.—If a fiduciary accounts for receipts from rental property pursuant to this section, the fiduciary shall allocate to income an amount received as rent of real or personal property, including an amount received for cancellation or renewal of a lease. An amount received as a refundable deposit, including a security deposit or a deposit that is to be applied as rent for future periods, must be added to principal and held subject to the terms of the lease and is not available for distribution to a beneficiary until the fiduciary’s contractual obligations have been satisfied with respect to that amount.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 16, ch. 2012-49.
738.503 Obligation to pay money.—
(1) An amount received as interest, whether determined at a fixed, variable, or floating rate, on an obligation to pay money to the fiduciary, including an amount received as consideration for prepaying principal, shall be allocated to income without any provision for amortization of premium.
(2) Except as otherwise provided herein, a fiduciary shall allocate to principal an amount received from the sale, redemption, or other disposition of an obligation to pay money to the fiduciary.
(3) The increment in value of a bond or other obligation for the payment of money bearing no stated interest but payable at a future time in excess of the price at which it was issued or purchased, if purchased after issuance, is distributable as income. If the increment in value accrues and becomes payable pursuant to a fixed schedule of appreciation, it may be distributed to the beneficiary who was the income beneficiary at the time of increment from the first principal cash available or, if none is available, when the increment is realized by sale, redemption, or other disposition. If unrealized increment is distributed as income but out of principal, the principal must be reimbursed for the increment when realized. If, in the reasonable judgment of the fiduciary, exercised in good faith, the ultimate payment of the bond principal is in doubt, the fiduciary may withhold the payment of incremental interest to the income beneficiary.
(4) This section does not apply to an obligation to which s. 738.602, s. 738.603, s. 738.604, s. 738.605, s. 738.607, or s. 738.608 applies.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 17, ch. 2012-49.
738.504 Insurance policies and similar contracts.—
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a fiduciary shall allocate to principal the proceeds of a life insurance policy or other contract in which the trust, estate, or fiduciary is named as beneficiary, including a contract that insures the trust, estate, or fiduciary against loss for damage to, destruction of, or loss of title to a trust or estate asset. The fiduciary shall allocate dividends on an insurance policy to income if the premiums on the policy are paid from income and to principal if the premiums are paid from principal.
(2) A fiduciary shall allocate to income the proceeds of a contract that insures the fiduciary against loss of occupancy or other use by an income beneficiary, loss of income, or, subject to s. 738.403, loss of profits from a business.
(3) This section does not apply to a contract to which s. 738.602 applies.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 18, ch. 2012-49.
738.601 Insubstantial allocations not required.—If a fiduciary determines that an allocation between principal and income required by s. 738.602, s. 738.603, s. 738.604, s. 738.605, or s. 738.608 is insubstantial, the fiduciary may allocate the entire amount to principal unless one of the circumstances described in s. 738.104(3) applies to the allocation. This power may be exercised by a cofiduciary under the circumstances described in s. 738.104(4) and may be released for the reasons and in the manner described in s. 738.104(5). An allocation is presumed to be insubstantial if:
(1) The amount of the allocation would increase or decrease net income in an accounting period, as determined before the allocation, by less than 10 percent; or
(2) The value of the asset producing the receipt for which the allocation would be made is less than 10 percent of the total value of the trust or estate assets at the beginning of the accounting period.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 19, ch. 2012-49.
738.602 Payments from deferred compensation plans, annuities, and retirement plans or accounts.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Fund” means a private or commercial annuity, an individual retirement account, an individual retirement annuity, a deferred compensation plan, a pension plan, a profit-sharing plan, a stock-bonus plan, an employee stock-ownership plan, or another similar arrangement in which federal income tax is deferred.
(b) “Income of the fund” means income that is determined according to subsection (2) or subsection (3).
(c) “Nonseparate account” means a fund for which the value of the participant’s or account owner’s right to receive benefits can be determined only by the occurrence of a date or event as defined in the instrument governing the fund.
(d) “Payment” means a distribution from a fund that a fiduciary may receive over a fixed number of years or during the life of one or more individuals because of services rendered or property transferred to the payor in exchange for future payments. The term includes a distribution made in money or property from the payor’s general assets or from a fund created by the payor or payee.
(e) “Separate account” means a fund holding assets exclusively for the benefit of a participant or account owner and:
1. The value of such assets or the value of the separate account is ascertainable at any time; or
2. The administrator of the fund maintains records that show receipts and disbursements associated with such assets.
(2)(a) For a fund that is a separate account, income of the fund shall be determined:
1. As if the fund were a trust subject to the provisions of ss. 738.401-738.706; or
2. As a unitrust amount calculated by multiplying the fair market value of the fund as of the first day of the first accounting period and, thereafter, as of the last day of the accounting period that immediately precedes the accounting period during which a payment is received by the percentage determined in accordance with s. 738.1041(2)(b)2.a. The fiduciary shall determine such percentage as of the first month that the fiduciary’s election to treat the income of the fund as a unitrust amount becomes effective. For purposes of this subparagraph, “fair market value” means the fair market value of the assets held in the fund as of the applicable valuation date determined as provided in this subparagraph. The fiduciary is not liable for good faith reliance upon any valuation supplied by the person or persons in possession of the fund. If the fiduciary makes or terminates an election under this subparagraph, the fiduciary shall make such disclosure in a trust disclosure document that satisfies the requirements of s. 736.1008(4)(a).
(b) The fiduciary may elect the method of determining the income of the fund pursuant to this subsection and may change the method of determining income of the fund for any future accounting period.
(3) For a fund that is a nonseparate account, income of the fund is a unitrust amount determined by calculating the present value of the right to receive the remaining payments under the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s. 7520, as of the first day of the accounting period and multiplying it by the percentage determined in accordance with s. 738.1041(2)(b)2.a. The fiduciary shall determine the unitrust amount as of the first month that the fiduciary’s election to treat the income of the fund as a unitrust amount becomes effective.
(4) Except for those trusts described in subsection (5), the fiduciary shall allocate to income the lesser of the payment received from a fund or the income determined under subsection (2) or subsection (3). Any remaining amount of the payment shall be allocated to principal.
(5) For a trust that, in order to qualify for the estate or gift tax marital deduction under the Internal Revenue Code or comparable law of any state, entitles the spouse to all of the income of the trust, and the terms of the trust are silent as to the time and frequency for distribution of the income of the fund:
(a) For a fund that is a separate account, unless the spouse directs the fiduciary to leave the income of the fund in the fund, the fiduciary shall withdraw and pay to the spouse, at least annually:
1. All of the income of the fund determined in accordance with subparagraph (2)(a)1.; or
2. The income of the fund as a unitrust amount determined in accordance with subparagraph (2)(a)2.
(b) For a fund that is a nonseparate account, the fiduciary shall withdraw and pay to the spouse, at least annually, the income of the fund as a unitrust amount determined in accordance with subsection (3).
(6) This section does not apply to payments to which s. 738.603 applies.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 1, ch. 2009-207; s. 20, ch. 2012-49.
738.603 Liquidating asset.—
(1) For purposes of this section, the term “liquidating asset” means an asset the value of which will diminish or terminate because the asset is expected to produce receipts for a period of limited duration. The term includes a leasehold, patent, copyright, royalty right, and right to receive payments for more than 1 year under an arrangement that does not provide for the payment of interest on the unpaid balance. The term does not include a payment subject to s. 738.602, resources subject to s. 738.604, timber subject to s. 738.605, an activity subject to s. 738.607, an asset subject to s. 738.608, or any asset for which the fiduciary establishes a reserve for depreciation under s. 738.703.
(2) A fiduciary shall allocate to income 5 percent of the receipts from the carrying value of a liquidating asset and the balance to principal. Amounts allocated to principal shall reduce the carrying value of the liquidating asset, but not below zero. Amounts received in excess of the remaining carrying value must be allocated to principal.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 21, ch. 2012-49.
738.604 Minerals, water, and other natural resources.—
(1) If a fiduciary accounts for receipts from an interest in minerals or other natural resources pursuant to this section, the fiduciary shall allocate such receipts as follows:
(a) If received as nominal delay rental or nominal annual rent on a lease, a receipt shall be allocated to income.
(b) If received from a production payment, a receipt shall be allocated to income if and to the extent the agreement creating the production payment provides a factor for interest or its equivalent. The balance shall be allocated to principal.
(c) If an amount received as a royalty, shut-in-well payment, take-or-pay payment, bonus, or delay rental is more than nominal, 90 percent shall be allocated to principal and the balance to income.
(d) If an amount is received from a working interest or any other interest not provided for in paragraph (a), paragraph (b), or paragraph (c), 90 percent of the net amount received shall be allocated to principal and the balance to income.
(2) An amount received on account of an interest in water that is renewable shall be allocated to income. If the water is not renewable, 90 percent of the amount shall be allocated to principal and the balance to income.
(3) This chapter applies whether or not a decedent or donor was extracting minerals, water, or other natural resources before the interest became subject to the trust or estate.
(4) If a trust or estate owns an interest in minerals, water, or other natural resources on January 1, 2003, the fiduciary may allocate receipts from the interest as provided in this chapter or in the manner used by the fiduciary before January 1, 2003. If the trust or estate acquires an interest in minerals, water, or other natural resources after January 1, 2003, the fiduciary shall allocate receipts from the interest as provided in this chapter.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 22, ch. 2012-49.
738.605 Timber.—
(1) If a fiduciary accounts for receipts from the sale of timber and related products pursuant to this section, the fiduciary shall allocate such net receipts as follows:
(a) To income to the extent the amount of timber removed from the land does not exceed the rate of growth of the timber during the accounting periods in which a beneficiary has a mandatory income interest;
(b) To principal to the extent the amount of timber removed from the land exceeds the rate of growth of the timber or the net receipts are from the sale of standing timber;
(c) To or between income and principal if the net receipts are from the lease of timberland or from a contract to cut timber from land owned by a trust or estate by determining the amount of timber removed from the land under the lease or contract and applying the rules in paragraphs (a) and (b); or
(d) To principal to the extent advance payments, bonuses, and other payments are not allocated pursuant to paragraph (a), paragraph (b), or paragraph (c).
(2) In determining net receipts to be allocated pursuant to subsection (1), a fiduciary shall deduct and transfer to principal a reasonable amount for depletion.
(3) This chapter applies whether or not a decedent or donor was harvesting timber from the property before the property became subject to the trust or estate.
(4) If a trust or estate owns an interest in timberland on January 1, 2003, the fiduciary may allocate net receipts from the sale of timber and related products as provided in this chapter or in the manner used by the fiduciary before January 1, 2003. If the trust or estate acquires an interest in timberland after January 1, 2003, the fiduciary shall allocate net receipts from the sale of timber and related products as provided in this chapter.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 23, ch. 2012-49.
738.606 Property not productive of income.—
(1) If a marital deduction under the Internal Revenue Code or comparable law of any state is allowed for all or part of a trust, or if assets are transferred to a trust that satisfies the requirements of s. 732.2025(2)(a) and (c), and such assets have been used in whole or in part to satisfy an election by a surviving spouse under s. 732.2125 and consist of property that, in the aggregate, does not provide the spouse with sufficient income from or use of the trust assets, and if amounts the trustee transfers from principal to income under s. 738.104 and distributes to the spouse from principal pursuant to the terms of the trust are insufficient to provide the spouse with the beneficial enjoyment required to obtain the marital deduction, even though, in the case of an elective share trust, a marital deduction is not made or is only partially made, the spouse may require the trustee of such marital trust or elective share trust to make property productive of income, convert property within a reasonable time, or exercise the power conferred by ss. 738.104 and 738.1041. The trustee may decide which action or combination of actions to take.
(2) In cases not governed by subsection (1), proceeds from the sale or other disposition of an asset are principal without regard to the amount of income the asset produces during any accounting period.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 24, ch. 2012-49; s. 12, ch. 2017-121.
738.607 Derivatives and options.—
(1) For purposes of this section, “derivative” means a contract or financial instrument or a combination of contracts and financial instruments which gives a trust the right or obligation to participate in some or all changes in the price of a tangible or intangible asset or group of assets, or changes in a rate, an index of prices or rates, or other market indicator for an asset or a group of assets.
(2) To the extent a fiduciary does not account under s. 738.403 for transactions in derivatives, the fiduciary shall allocate to principal receipts from and disbursements made in connection with those transactions.
(3) If a fiduciary grants an option to buy property from the trust or estate whether or not the trust or estate owns the property when the option is granted, grants an option that permits another person to sell property to the trust or estate, or acquires an option to buy property for the trust or estate or an option to sell an asset owned by the trust or estate, and the fiduciary or other owner of the asset is required to deliver the asset if the option is exercised, an amount received for granting the option shall be allocated to principal. An amount paid to acquire the option shall be paid from principal. A gain or loss realized upon the exercise of an option, including an option granted to a grantor of the trust or estate for services rendered, shall be allocated to principal.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 25, ch. 2012-49.
738.608 Asset-backed securities.—
(1) For purposes of this section, “asset-backed security” means an asset the value of which is based upon the right given the owner to receive distributions from the proceeds of financial assets that provide collateral for the security. The term includes an asset that gives the owner the right to receive from the collateral financial assets only the interest or other current return or only the proceeds other than interest or current return. The term does not include an asset to which s. 738.401 or s. 738.602 applies.
(2) If a trust or estate receives a payment from interest or other current return and from other proceeds of the collateral financial assets, the fiduciary shall allocate to income the portion of the payment which the payor identifies as being from interest or other current return and allocate the balance of the payment to principal.
(3) If a trust or estate receives one or more payments in exchange for the trust’s or estate’s entire interest in an asset-backed security during a single accounting period, the fiduciary shall allocate the payments to principal. If a payment is one of a series of payments that will result in the liquidation of the trust’s or estate’s interest in the security over more than a single accounting period, the fiduciary shall allocate 10 percent of the payment to income and the balance to principal.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 26, ch. 2012-49.
738.701 Disbursements from income.—A fiduciary shall make the following disbursements from income to the extent they are not disbursements to which s. 738.201(2) applies:
(1) One-half of the regular compensation of the fiduciary and of any person providing investment advisory or custodial services to the fiduciary.
(2) One-half of all expenses for accountings, judicial proceedings, or other matters that involve both the income and remainder interests.
(3) All of the other ordinary expenses incurred in connection with the administration, management, or preservation of trust property and the distribution of income, including interest, ordinary repairs, regularly recurring taxes assessed against principal, and expenses of a proceeding or other matter that concerns primarily the income interest.
(4) Recurring premiums on insurance covering the loss of a principal asset or the loss of income from or use of the asset.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 27, ch. 2012-49.
738.702 Disbursements from principal.—
(1) A fiduciary shall make the following disbursements from principal:
(a) The remaining one-half of the disbursements described in s. 738.701(1) and (2).
(b) All of the trustee’s compensation calculated on principal as a fee for acceptance, distribution, or termination and disbursements made to prepare property for sale.
(c) Payments on the principal of a trust debt.
(d) Expenses of a proceeding that concerns primarily principal, including a proceeding to construe the trust or will, or to protect the trust, estate, or its property.
(e) Premiums paid on a policy of insurance not described in s. 738.701(4) of which the trust or estate is the owner and beneficiary.
(f) Estate, inheritance, and other transfer taxes, including penalties, apportioned to the trust.
(g) Disbursements related to environmental matters, including reclamation, assessing environmental conditions, remedying and removing environmental contamination, monitoring remedial activities and the release of substances, preventing future releases of substances, collecting amounts from persons liable or potentially liable for the costs of such activities, penalties imposed under environmental laws or regulations and other payments made to comply with those laws or regulations, statutory or common law claims by third parties, and defending claims based on environmental matters.
(h) Payments representing extraordinary repairs or expenses incurred in making a capital improvement to principal, including special assessments; however, a fiduciary may establish an allowance for depreciation out of income to the extent permitted by s. 738.703.
(2) If a principal asset is encumbered with an obligation that requires income from that asset to be paid directly to the creditor, the trustee shall transfer from principal to income an amount equal to the income paid to the creditor in reduction of the principal balance of the obligation.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 28, ch. 2012-49.
738.703 Transfers from income to principal for depreciation.—
(1) For purposes of this section, “depreciation” means a reduction in value due to wear, tear, decay, corrosion, or gradual obsolescence of a fixed asset having a useful life of more than 1 year.
(2) A fiduciary may transfer to principal a reasonable amount of the net cash receipts from a principal asset that is subject to depreciation but may not transfer any amount for depreciation:
(a) Of that portion of real property used or available for use by a beneficiary as a residence or of tangible personal property held or made available for the personal use or enjoyment of a beneficiary;
(b) During the administration of a decedent’s estate; or
(c) Under this section if the fiduciary is accounting under s. 738.403 for the business or activity in which the asset is used.
(3) The amount of depreciation taken for tax purposes with respect to an asset shall be presumed to be a reasonable amount of depreciation. An amount taken for depreciation shall not be considered unreasonable solely because it is greater or less than the amount taken for tax purposes.
(4) An amount transferred to principal need not be held as a separate fund.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 29, ch. 2012-49.
738.704 Transfers from income to reimburse principal.—
(1) If a fiduciary makes or expects to make a principal disbursement described in this section, the fiduciary may transfer an appropriate amount from income to principal in one or more accounting periods to reimburse principal or to provide a reserve for future principal disbursements.
(2) Principal disbursements to which subsection (1) applies include the following, but only to the extent the fiduciary has not been and does not expect to be reimbursed by a third party:
(a) An amount chargeable to income but paid from principal because the amount is unusually large.
(b) Disbursements made to prepare property for rental, including tenant allowances, leasehold improvements, and broker’s commissions.
(c) Disbursements described in s. 738.702(1)(g).
(3) If the asset the ownership of which gives rise to the disbursements becomes subject to a successive income interest after an income interest ends, a fiduciary may continue to transfer amounts from income to principal as provided in subsection (1).
(4) To the extent principal cash is not sufficient to pay the principal balance of payments due on mortgaged property, income may be applied to such payment in order to avoid a default on any mortgage or security interest securing the property. Income shall be reimbursed for such payments out of the first available principal cash. If the asset the ownership of which gives rise to the disbursements described in this subsection becomes subject to a successive income interest after an income interest ends, all rights of the initial income interest shall lapse, and amounts remaining due from principal shall not be a lien on the assets of the trust.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 30, ch. 2012-49.
738.705 Income taxes.—
(1) A tax required to be paid by a fiduciary based on receipts allocated to income shall be paid from income.
(2) A tax required to be paid by a fiduciary based on receipts allocated to principal shall be paid from principal, even if the tax is called an income tax by the taxing authority.
(3) A tax required to be paid by a fiduciary on the trust’s or estate’s share of an entity’s taxable income shall be paid proportionately:
(a) From income to the extent receipts from the entity are allocated to income.
(b) From principal to the extent receipts from the entity are allocated to principal.
(c) From principal to the extent that the income taxes payable by the trust or estate exceed the total receipts from the entity.
(4) After applying subsections (1)-(3), the fiduciary shall adjust income or principal receipts to the extent that the trust’s or estate’s income taxes are reduced, but not eliminated, because the trust or estate receives a deduction for payments made to a beneficiary. The amount distributable to that beneficiary as income as a result of this adjustment shall be equal to the cash received by the trust or estate, reduced, but not below zero, by the entity’s taxable income allocable to the trust or estate multiplied by the trust’s or estate’s income tax rate. The reduced amount shall be divided by the difference between 1 and the trust’s or estate’s income tax rate in order to determine the amount distributable to that beneficiary as income before giving effect to other receipts or disbursements allocable to that beneficiary’s interest.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 31, ch. 2012-49.
738.706 Adjustments between principal and income because of taxes.—
(1) A fiduciary may make adjustments between principal and income to offset the shifting of economic interests or tax benefits between income beneficiaries and remainder beneficiaries which arise from:
(a) Elections and decisions, other than those described in paragraph (b), that the fiduciary makes from time to time regarding tax matters;
(b) An income tax or any other tax that is imposed upon the fiduciary or a beneficiary as a result of a transaction involving or a distribution from the estate or trust; or
(c) The ownership by an estate or trust of an interest in an entity whose taxable income, whether or not distributed, is includable in the taxable income of the estate, trust, or a beneficiary.
(2) If the amount of an estate tax marital deduction or charitable contribution deduction is reduced because a fiduciary deducts an amount paid from principal for income tax purposes instead of deducting such amount for estate tax purposes, and as a result estate taxes paid from principal are increased and income taxes paid by an estate, trust, or beneficiary are decreased, each estate, trust, or beneficiary that benefits from the decrease in income tax shall reimburse the principal from which the increase in estate tax is paid. The total reimbursement shall equal the increase in the estate tax to the extent the principal used to pay the increase would have qualified for a marital deduction or charitable contribution deduction but for the payment. The proportionate share of the reimbursement for each estate, trust, or beneficiary whose income taxes are reduced shall be the same as such estate’s, trust’s, or beneficiary’s proportionate share of the total decrease in income tax. An estate or trust shall reimburse principal from income.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42.
738.801 Apportionment of expenses; improvements.—
(1) For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) “Remainderman” means the holder of the remainder interests after the expiration of a tenant’s estate in property.
(b) “Tenant” means the holder of an estate for life or term of years in real property or personal property, or both.
(2) If a trust has not been created, expenses shall be apportioned between the tenant and remainderman as follows:
(a) The following expenses are allocated to and shall be paid by the tenant:
1. All ordinary expenses incurred in connection with the administration, management, or preservation of the property, including interest, ordinary repairs, regularly recurring taxes assessed against the property, and expenses of a proceeding or other matter that concerns primarily the tenant’s estate or use of the property.
2. Recurring premiums on insurance covering the loss of the property or the loss of income from or use of the property.
3. Any of the expenses described in subparagraph (b)3. which are attributable to the use of the property by the tenant.
(b) The following expenses are allocated to and shall be paid by the remainderman:
1. Payments on the principal of a debt secured by the property, except to the extent the debt is for expenses allocated to the tenant.
2. Expenses of a proceeding or other matter that concerns primarily the title to the property, other than title to the tenant’s estate.
3. Except as provided in subparagraph (a)3., expenses related to environmental matters, including reclamation, assessing environmental conditions, remedying and removing environmental contamination, monitoring remedial activities and the release of substances, preventing future releases of substances, collecting amounts from persons liable or potentially liable for the costs of such activities, penalties imposed under environmental laws or regulations and other payments made to comply with those laws or regulations, statutory or common law claims by third parties, and defending claims based on environmental matters.
4. Extraordinary repairs.
(c) If the tenant or remainderman incurred an expense for the benefit of his or her own estate without consent or agreement of the other, he or she must pay such expense in full.
(d) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the cost of, or special taxes or assessments for, an improvement representing an addition of value to property forming part of the principal shall be paid by the tenant if the improvement is not reasonably expected to outlast the estate of the tenant. In all other cases, only a part shall be paid by the tenant while the remainder shall be paid by the remainderman. The part payable by the tenant is ascertainable by taking that percentage of the total that is found by dividing the present value of the tenant’s estate by the present value of an estate of the same form as that of the tenant, except that it is limited for a period corresponding to the reasonably expected duration of the improvement. The computation of present values of the estates shall be made by using the rate defined in 26 U.S.C. s. 7520, then in effect and, in the case of an estate for life, the official mortality tables then in effect under 26 U.S.C. s. 7520. Other evidence of duration or expectancy may not be considered.
(3) This section does not apply to the extent it is inconsistent with the instrument creating the estates, the agreement of the parties, or the specific direction of the taxing or other statutes.
(4) The common law applicable to tenants and remaindermen supplements this section, except as modified by this section or other laws.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42; s. 32, ch. 2012-49.
738.802 Uniformity of application and construction.—In applying and construing this act, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to the act’s subject matter among states that enact such act.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42.
738.803 Severability.—If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42.
738.804 Application.—Except as provided in the trust instrument, the will, or this chapter, this chapter shall apply to any receipt or expense received or incurred and any disbursement made after January 1, 2003, by any trust or decedent’s estate, whether established before or after January 1, 2003, and whether the asset involved was acquired by the trustee or personal representative before or after January 1, 2003. Receipts or expenses received or incurred and disbursements made before January 1, 2003, shall be governed by the law of this state in effect at the time of the event, except as otherwise expressly provided in the will or terms of the trust or in this chapter.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-42.