1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to trusts; amending s. 660.417, F.S.; |
3 | revising criteria for investments in certain investment |
4 | instruments; creating s. 736.04117, F.S.; providing |
5 | criteria, requirements, and limitations on a trustee's |
6 | power to invade the principal of a trust; specifying |
7 | conditions under which discretionary distributions may be |
8 | made in further trust; amending s. 736.0802, F.S.; |
9 | specifying additional trust property transactions not |
10 | voidable by a beneficiary; revising certain disclosure and |
11 | applicability requirements; broadening authority for |
12 | investing in certain investment instruments; revising |
13 | definitions; excusing trustees from certain compliance |
14 | requirements under certain circumstances; amending s. |
15 | 736.0816, F.S.; defining the term "mutual fund" for |
16 | certain purposes; amending s. 736.1008, F.S.; revising |
17 | effective dates relating to limitations on proceedings |
18 | against trustees; amending s. 736.1011, F.S.; providing |
19 | construction relating to trustee drafts of exculpatory |
20 | terms in a trust instrument; amending s. 689.071, F.S.; |
21 | limiting the definition of the term "land trust" to an |
22 | arrangement in which title to real property is vested in a |
23 | trustee by a recorded instrument that confers certain |
24 | authority as prescribed by state law; providing that such |
25 | a recorded instrument does not itself create an entity; |
26 | providing that a recorded instrument is effective |
27 | regardless of whether it refers to beneficiaries of the |
28 | trust; providing that a recorded instrument vests both |
29 | legal and equitable title to real property or the interest |
30 | therein in the trustee; conforming cross-references; |
31 | amending s. 731.201, F.S.; revising a definition; amending |
32 | s. 731.303, F.S.; excluding trusts from guidelines |
33 | regarding administration and judicial proceedings; |
34 | amending s. 736.0102, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; |
35 | amending s. 736.0501, F.S.; limiting the ability of |
36 | creditors or assignees of a beneficiary to reach the |
37 | beneficiary's interest in a trust; amending s. 736.0502, |
38 | F.S.; clarifying the application of restrictions on |
39 | transferring a beneficiary's interest under a spendthrift |
40 | provision; amending s. 736.0503, F.S.; providing an |
41 | exception to a provision authorizing the attachment of |
42 | trust distributions; amending s. 736.0504, F.S.; defining |
43 | the term "discretionary distribution"; prohibiting certain |
44 | creditors from compelling distributions or attaching a |
45 | beneficiary's interest or expectancy; amending s. |
46 | 736.0813, F.S.; conforming a date of applicability of the |
47 | accounting provision and corresponding limitations to the |
48 | effective date of the code; amending s. 736.1106, F.S.; |
49 | providing that certain antilapse provisions continue to |
50 | apply to irrevocable trusts created between June 12, 2003, |
51 | and July 1, 2007; amending s. 736.1204, F.S.; clarifying |
52 | the use of income interest of a trust; amending ss. |
53 | 736.1209 and 736.1001, F.S., relating to the release of |
54 | power by a trustee and removal of a trustee; conforming |
55 | cross-references; providing an effective date. |
56 |
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57 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
58 |
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59 | Section 1. Subsection (3) of section 660.417, Florida |
60 | Statutes, as amended by section 18 of chapter 2006-217, Laws of |
61 | Florida, is amended to read: |
62 | 660.417 Investment of fiduciary funds in investment |
63 | instruments; permissible activity under certain circumstances; |
64 | limitations.-- |
65 | (3) The fact that such bank or trust company or an |
66 | affiliate of the bank or trust company owns or controls |
67 | investment instruments shall not preclude the bank or trust |
68 | company acting as a fiduciary from investing or reinvesting in |
69 | such investment instruments, provided such investment |
70 | instruments: |
71 | (a) Are held for sale by the bank or trust company or by |
72 | an affiliate of the bank or trust company in the ordinary course |
73 | of its business of providing investment services to its |
74 | customers and do not include any such interests held by the bank |
75 | or trust company or by an affiliate of the bank or trust company |
76 | for its own account. |
77 | (b) When Are sold primarily to accounts for which the bank |
78 | or trust company is not acting as a trustee of a trust as |
79 | defined in s. 731.201(35): |
80 | 1. Are available for sale to accounts of other customers; |
81 | and |
82 | 2. If sold to other customers, are not sold to the trust |
83 | accounts fiduciary upon terms that are less not more favorable |
84 | to the buyer than the terms upon which they are normally sold to |
85 | the other customers accounts for which the bank or trust company |
86 | is acting as a fiduciary. |
87 | Section 2. Section 736.04117, Florida Statutes, is created |
88 | to read: |
89 | 736.04117 Trustee's power to invade principal in trust.-- |
90 | (1)(a) Unless the trust instrument expressly provides |
91 | otherwise, a trustee who has absolute power under the terms of a |
92 | trust to invade the principal of the trust, referred to in this |
93 | section as the "first trust," to make distributions to or for |
94 | the benefit of one or more persons may instead exercise the |
95 | power by appointing all or part of the principal of the trust |
96 | subject to the power in favor of a trustee of another trust, |
97 | referred to in this section as the "second trust," for the |
98 | current benefit of one or more of such persons under the same |
99 | trust instrument or under a different trust instrument; |
100 | provided: |
101 | 1. The beneficiaries of the second trust may include only |
102 | beneficiaries of the first trust; |
103 | 2. The second trust may not reduce any fixed income, |
104 | annuity, or unitrust interest in the assets of the first trust; |
105 | and |
106 | 3. If any contribution to the first trust qualified for a |
107 | marital or charitable deduction for federal income, gift, or |
108 | estate tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as |
109 | amended, the second trust shall not contain any provision which, |
110 | if included in the first trust, would have prevented the first |
111 | trust from qualifying for such a deduction or would have reduced |
112 | the amount of such deduction. |
113 | (b) For purposes of this subsection, an absolute power to |
114 | invade principal shall include a power to invade principal that |
115 | is not limited to specific or ascertainable purposes, such as |
116 | health, education, maintenance, and support, whether or not the |
117 | term "absolute" is used. A power to invade principal for |
118 | purposes such as best interests, welfare, comfort, or happiness |
119 | shall constitute an absolute power not limited to specific or |
120 | ascertainable purposes. |
121 | (2) The exercise of a power to invade principal under |
122 | subsection (1) shall be by an instrument in writing, signed and |
123 | acknowledged by the trustee, and filed with the records of the |
124 | first trust. |
125 | (3) The exercise of a power to invade principal under |
126 | subsection (1) shall be considered the exercise of a power of |
127 | appointment, other than a power to appoint to the trustee, the |
128 | trustee's creditors, the trustee's estate, or the creditors of |
129 | the trustee's estate, and shall be subject to the provisions of |
130 | s. 689.225 covering the time at which the permissible period of |
131 | the rule against perpetuities begins and the law that determines |
132 | the permissible period of the rule against perpetuities of the |
133 | first trust. |
134 | (4) The trustee shall notify all qualified beneficiaries |
135 | of the first trust, in writing, at least 60 days prior to the |
136 | effective date of the trustee's exercise of the trustee's power |
137 | to invade principal pursuant to subsection (1), of the manner in |
138 | which the trustee intends to exercise the power. A copy of the |
139 | proposed instrument exercising the power shall satisfy the |
140 | trustee's notice obligation under this subsection. If all |
141 | qualified beneficiaries waive the notice period by signed |
142 | written instrument delivered to the trustee, the trustee's power |
143 | to invade principal shall be exercisable immediately. The |
144 | trustee's notice under this subsection shall not limit the right |
145 | of any beneficiary to object to the exercise of the trustee's |
146 | power to invade principal except as provided in other applicable |
147 | provisions of this code. |
148 | (5) The exercise of the power to invade principal under |
149 | subsection (1) is not prohibited by a spendthrift clause or by a |
150 | provision in the trust instrument that prohibits amendment or |
151 | revocation of the trust. |
152 | (6) Nothing in this section is intended to create or imply |
153 | a duty to exercise a power to invade principal and no inference |
154 | of impropriety shall be made as a result of a trustee not |
155 | exercising the power to invade principal conferred under |
156 | subsection (1). |
157 | (7) The provisions of this section shall not be construed |
158 | to abridge the right of any trustee who has a power of invasion |
159 | to appoint property in further trust that arises under the terms |
160 | of the first trust or under any other section of this code or |
161 | under another provision of law or under common law. |
162 | Section 3. Subsections (2) and (5) of section 736.0802, |
163 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
164 | 736.0802 Duty of loyalty.-- |
165 | (2) Subject to the rights of persons dealing with or |
166 | assisting the trustee as provided in s. 736.1016, a sale, |
167 | encumbrance, or other transaction involving the investment or |
168 | management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the |
169 | trustee's own personal account or which is otherwise affected by |
170 | a conflict between the trustee's fiduciary and personal |
171 | interests is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the |
172 | transaction unless: |
173 | (a) The transaction was authorized by the terms of the |
174 | trust; |
175 | (b) The transaction was approved by the court; |
176 | (c) The beneficiary did not commence a judicial proceeding |
177 | within the time allowed by s. 736.1008; |
178 | (d) The beneficiary consented to the trustee's conduct, |
179 | ratified the transaction, or released the trustee in compliance |
180 | with s. 736.1012; |
181 | (e) The transaction involves a contract entered into or |
182 | claim acquired by the trustee when that person had not become or |
183 | contemplated becoming trustee; or |
184 | (f) The transaction was consented to in writing by a |
185 | settlor of the trust while the trust was revocable; or. |
186 | (g) The transaction is one by a corporate trustee that |
187 | involves a money market mutual fund, mutual fund, or a common |
188 | trust fund described in s. 736.0816(3). |
189 | (5)(a) An investment by a trustee authorized by lawful |
190 | authority to engage in trust business, as defined in s. |
191 | 658.12(20), in investment instruments, as defined in s. |
192 | 660.25(6), that are owned or controlled by the trustee or its |
193 | affiliate, or from which the trustee or its affiliate receives |
194 | compensation for providing services in a capacity other than as |
195 | trustee, is not presumed to be affected by a conflict between |
196 | personal and fiduciary interests provided the investment |
197 | otherwise complies with chapters 518 and 660 and the trustee |
198 | complies with the disclosure requirements of this subsection. |
199 | (b) A trustee who, pursuant to this subsection, invests |
200 | trust funds in investment instruments that are owned or |
201 | controlled by the trustee or its affiliate shall disclose the |
202 | following to all qualified beneficiaries: |
203 | 1. Notice that the trustee has invested trust funds in |
204 | investment instruments owned or controlled by the trustee or its |
205 | affiliate. |
206 | 2. The identity of the investment instruments. |
207 | 3. The identity and relationship to the trustee of any |
208 | affiliate that owns or controls the investment instruments. |
209 | (c) A trustee who, pursuant to this subsection, invests |
210 | trust funds in investment instruments with respect to which the |
211 | trustee or its affiliate receives compensation for providing |
212 | services in a capacity other than as trustee shall disclose to |
213 | all qualified beneficiaries, the nature of the services provided |
214 | by the trustee or its affiliate, and all compensation, |
215 | including, but not limited to, fees or commissions paid or to be |
216 | paid by the account and received or to be received by an |
217 | affiliate arising from such affiliated investment. |
218 | (d) Disclosure required by this subsection shall be made |
219 | at least annually unless there has been no change in the method |
220 | or increase in the rate at which such compensation is calculated |
221 | since the most recent disclosure. The disclosure may be given in |
222 | a trust disclosure document as defined in s. 736.1008, in a copy |
223 | of the prospectus for the investment instrument, in any other |
224 | written disclosure prepared for the investment instrument under |
225 | applicable federal or state law, or in a written summary that |
226 | includes all compensation received or to be received by the |
227 | trustee and any affiliate of the trustee and an explanation of |
228 | the manner in which such compensation is calculated, either as a |
229 | percentage of the assets invested or by some other method. |
230 | (e) This subsection shall apply as follows: |
231 | 1. This subsection does not apply to qualified investment |
232 | instruments or to a trust for which a right of revocation |
233 | exists. |
234 | 2. For investment instruments other than qualified |
235 | investment instruments, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall |
236 | apply to irrevocable trusts created on or after July 1, 2007, |
237 | which expressly authorize the trustee, by specific reference to |
238 | this subsection, to invest in investment instruments owned or |
239 | controlled by the trustee or its affiliate. |
240 | 3. For investment instruments other than qualified |
241 | investment instruments, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall |
242 | apply to irrevocable trusts created on or after July 1, 2007, |
243 | that are not described in subparagraph 2. and to irrevocable |
244 | trusts created prior to July 1, 2007, only as follows: |
245 | a. Such paragraphs shall not apply until 60 days after the |
246 | statement required in paragraph (f) is provided and a majority |
247 | of the qualified beneficiaries have provided written consent. |
248 | All consents must be obtained within 90 days after the date of |
249 | delivery of the written request. Once given, consent shall be |
250 | valid as to all investment instruments acquired pursuant to the |
251 | consent prior to the date of any withdrawal of the consent no |
252 | objection is made or any objection which is made has been |
253 | terminated. |
254 | (I) An objection is made if, within 60 days after the date |
255 | of the statement required in paragraph (f), a super majority of |
256 | the eligible beneficiaries deliver to the trustee written |
257 | objections to the application of this subsection to such trust. |
258 | An objection shall be deemed to be delivered to the trustee on |
259 | the date the objection is mailed to the mailing address listed |
260 | in the notice provided in paragraph (f). |
261 | (II) An objection is terminated upon the earlier of the |
262 | receipt of consent from a super majority of eligible |
263 | beneficiaries of the class that made the objection or the |
264 | resolution of the objection pursuant to this subparagraph. |
265 | (III) If an objection is delivered to the trustee, the |
266 | trustee may petition the court for an order overruling the |
267 | objection and authorizing the trustee to make investments under |
268 | this subsection. The burden shall be on the trustee to show good |
269 | cause for the relief sought. |
270 | (I)(IV) Any qualified beneficiary may petition the court |
271 | for an order to prohibit, limit, or restrict a trustee's |
272 | authority to make investments under this subsection. The burden |
273 | shall be upon the petitioning beneficiary to show good cause for |
274 | the relief sought. |
275 | (II)(V) The court may award costs and attorney's fees |
276 | relating to any petition under this subparagraph in the same |
277 | manner as in chancery actions. When costs and attorney's fees |
278 | are to be paid out of the trust, the court, in its discretion, |
279 | may direct from which part of the trust such costs and fees |
280 | shall be paid. |
281 | b. The consent objection of a majority of the qualified |
282 | super majority of eligible beneficiaries under this subparagraph |
283 | may thereafter be withdrawn prospectively removed by the written |
284 | notice consent of a super majority of any one of the class or |
285 | classes of the qualified those eligible beneficiaries that made |
286 | the objection. |
287 | (f)1. The trustee of a trust described in s. 731.201(35) |
288 | may request authority to invest in Any time prior to initially |
289 | investing in any investment instruments instrument described in |
290 | this subsection other than a qualified investment instrument, by |
291 | providing the trustee of a trust described in subparagraph (e)3. |
292 | shall provide to all qualified beneficiaries a written request |
293 | statement containing the following: |
294 | a. The name, telephone number, street address, and mailing |
295 | address of the trustee and of any individuals who may be |
296 | contacted for further information. |
297 | b. A statement that the investment or investments cannot |
298 | be made without the consent of a majority of each class of the |
299 | qualified beneficiaries, unless a super majority of the eligible |
300 | beneficiaries objects to the application of this subsection to |
301 | the trust within 60 days after the date the statement pursuant |
302 | to this subsection was delivered, this subsection shall apply to |
303 | the trust. |
304 | c. A statement that, if a majority of each class of |
305 | qualified beneficiaries consent this subsection applies to the |
306 | trust, the trustee will have the right to make investments in |
307 | investment instruments, as defined in s. 660.25(6), which are |
308 | owned or controlled by the trustee or its affiliate, or from |
309 | which the trustee or its affiliate receives compensation for |
310 | providing services in a capacity other than as trustee, that |
311 | such investment instruments may include investment instruments |
312 | sold primarily to trust accounts, and that the trustee or its |
313 | affiliate may receive fees in addition to the trustee's |
314 | compensation for administering the trust. |
315 | d. A statement that the consent may be withdrawn |
316 | prospectively at any time by written notice given by a majority |
317 | of any class of the qualified beneficiaries. |
318 |
|
319 | A statement by the trustee is not delivered if the statement is |
320 | accompanied by another written communication other than a |
321 | written communication by the trustee that refers only to the |
322 | statement. |
323 | 2. For purposes of paragraph (e) and this paragraph: |
324 | a. "Eligible beneficiaries" means: |
325 | (I) If at the time the determination is made there are one |
326 | or more beneficiaries as described in s. 736.0103(14)(c), the |
327 | beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(14)(a) and (c); or |
328 | (II) If there is no beneficiary described in s. |
329 | 736.0103(14)(c), the beneficiaries described in s. |
330 | 736.0103(14)(a) and (b). |
331 | a.b. "Super Majority of the qualified eligible |
332 | beneficiaries" means: |
333 | (I) If at the time the determination is made there are one |
334 | or more beneficiaries as described in s. 736.0103(14)(c), at |
335 | least a majority two-thirds in interest of the beneficiaries |
336 | described in s. 736.0103(14)(a), at least a majority in interest |
337 | of the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(14)(b), and at |
338 | least a majority or two-thirds in interest of the beneficiaries |
339 | described in s. 736.0103(14)(c), if the interests of the |
340 | beneficiaries are reasonably ascertainable; otherwise, a |
341 | majority two-thirds in number of each either such class; or |
342 | (II) If there is no beneficiary as described in s. |
343 | 736.0103(14)(c), at least a majority two-thirds in interest of |
344 | the beneficiaries described in s. 736.0103(14)(a) and at least a |
345 | majority or two-thirds in interest of the beneficiaries |
346 | described in s. 736.0103(14)(b), if the interests of the |
347 | beneficiaries are reasonably ascertainable; otherwise, a |
348 | majority two-thirds in number of each either such class. |
349 | b.c. "Qualified investment instrument" means a mutual |
350 | fund, common trust fund, or money market fund described in and |
351 | governed by s. 736.0816(3). |
352 | c.d. An irrevocable trust is created upon execution of the |
353 | trust instrument. If a trust that was revocable when created |
354 | thereafter becomes irrevocable, the irrevocable trust is created |
355 | when the right of revocation terminates. |
356 | (g) Nothing in this chapter is intended to create or imply |
357 | a duty for the trustee to seek the application of this |
358 | subsection to invest in investment instruments described in |
359 | paragraph (a), and no inference of impropriety may be made as a |
360 | result of a trustee electing not to invest trust assets in |
361 | investment instruments described in paragraph (a). |
362 | (h) This subsection is not the exclusive authority under |
363 | this code for investing in investment instruments described in |
364 | paragraph (a). A trustee who invests trust funds in investment |
365 | instruments described in paragraph (a) is not required to comply |
366 | with paragraph (b), paragraph (c), or paragraph (f) if the |
367 | trustee is permitted to invest in such investment instruments |
368 | pursuant to subsection (2). |
369 | Section 4. Subsection (3) of section 736.0816, Florida |
370 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
371 | 736.0816 Specific powers of trustee.--Except as limited or |
372 | restricted by this code, a trustee may: |
373 | (3) Acquire an undivided interest in a trust asset, |
374 | including, but not limited to, a money market mutual fund, |
375 | mutual fund, or common trust fund, in which asset the trustee |
376 | holds an undivided interest in any trust capacity, including any |
377 | money market or other mutual fund from which the trustee or any |
378 | affiliate or associate of the trustee is entitled to receive |
379 | reasonable compensation for providing necessary services as an |
380 | investment adviser, portfolio manager, or servicing agent. A |
381 | trustee or affiliate or associate of the trustee may receive |
382 | compensation for such services in addition to fees received for |
383 | administering the trust provided such compensation is fully |
384 | disclosed in writing to all qualified beneficiaries. As used in |
385 | this subsection, the term "mutual fund" includes an open-end or |
386 | closed-end management investment company or investment trust |
387 | registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. |
388 | ss. 80a-1 et seq., as amended. |
389 | Section 5. Subsection (6) of section 736.1008, Florida |
390 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
391 | 736.1008 Limitations on proceedings against trustees.-- |
392 | (6) This section applies to trust accountings for |
393 | accounting periods beginning on or after July January 1, 2007 |
394 | 2008, and to written reports, other than trust accountings, |
395 | received by a beneficiary on or after July January 1, 2007 2008. |
396 | Section 6. Subsection (2) of section 736.1011, Florida |
397 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
398 | 736.1011 Exculpation of trustee.-- |
399 | (2) An exculpatory term drafted or caused to be drafted by |
400 | the trustee is invalid as an abuse of a fiduciary or |
401 | confidential relationship unless: |
402 | (a) The trustee proves that the exculpatory term is fair |
403 | under the circumstances. |
404 | (b) and that The term's existence and contents were |
405 | adequately communicated directly to the settlor or the |
406 | independent attorney of the settlor. This paragraph applies only |
407 | to trusts created on or after July 1, 2007. |
408 | Section 7. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2), subsections |
409 | (3) and (7), and paragraph (a) of subsection (9) of section |
410 | 689.071, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 21 of chapter |
411 | 2006-217, Laws of Florida, are amended to read: |
412 | 689.071 Florida Land Trust Act.-- |
413 | (2) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term: |
414 | (d) "Land trust" is not the creation of an entity, but |
415 | means any express written agreement or arrangement by which a |
416 | use, confidence, or trust is declared of any land, or of any |
417 | charge upon land, for the use or benefit of any beneficiary, |
418 | under which the title to real property, both legal and |
419 | equitable, is vested in a trustee by a recorded instrument that |
420 | confers on the trustee the power and authority prescribed in |
421 | subsection (3). The recorded instrument does not itself create |
422 | an entity, regardless of whether the relationship among the |
423 | beneficiaries and the trustee is deemed to be an entity under |
424 | other applicable law held by a trustee, subject only to the |
425 | execution of the trust, which may be enforced by the |
426 | beneficiaries. |
427 | (3) OWNERSHIP VESTS IN TRUSTEE.--Every conveyance, deed, |
428 | mortgage, lease assignment, or other instrument heretofore or |
429 | hereafter made, hereinafter referred to as the "the recorded |
430 | instrument," transferring any interest in real property in this |
431 | state, including, but not limited to, a leasehold or mortgagee |
432 | interest, to any person or any corporation, bank, trust company, |
433 | or other entity duly formed under the laws of its state of |
434 | qualification, in which recorded instrument the person, |
435 | corporation, bank, trust company, or other entity is designated |
436 | "trustee," or "as trustee," without therein naming the |
437 | beneficiaries of such trust, whether or not reference is made in |
438 | the recorded instrument to the beneficiaries of such trust or to |
439 | any separate collateral unrecorded declarations or agreements, |
440 | is effective to vest, and is hereby declared to have vested, in |
441 | such trustee both legal and equitable title, and full rights of |
442 | ownership, over the real property or interest therein, with full |
443 | power and authority as granted and provided in the recorded |
444 | instrument to deal in and with the property or interest therein |
445 | or any part thereof; provided, the recorded instrument confers |
446 | on the trustee the power and authority either to protect, to |
447 | conserve, and to sell, or to lease, or to encumber, or otherwise |
448 | to manage and dispose of the real property described in the |
449 | recorded instrument. |
450 | (7) TRUSTEE LIABILITY.--In addition to any other |
451 | limitation on personal liability existing pursuant to statute or |
452 | otherwise, the provisions of ss. 736.08125 and 736.1013 s. |
453 | 736.1013 apply to the trustee of a land trust created pursuant |
454 | to this section. |
455 | (9) SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE.-- |
456 | (a) The provisions of s. 736.0705 s. 737.309 relating to |
457 | the resignation of a trustee do not apply to the appointment of |
458 | a successor trustee under this section. |
459 | Section 8. Subsection (35) of section 731.201, Florida |
460 | Statutes, as amended by section 29 of chapter 2006-217, Laws of |
461 | Florida, is amended to read: |
462 | 731.201 General definitions.--Subject to additional |
463 | definitions in subsequent chapters that are applicable to |
464 | specific chapters or parts, and unless the context otherwise |
465 | requires, in this code, in s. 409.9101, and in chapters 736, |
466 | 738, 739, and 744, the term: |
467 | (35) "Trust" means an express trust, private or |
468 | charitable, with additions to it, wherever and however created. |
469 | It also includes a trust created or determined by a judgment or |
470 | decree under which the trust is to be administered in the manner |
471 | of an express trust. "Trust" excludes other constructive trusts, |
472 | and it excludes resulting trusts; conservatorships; custodial |
473 | arrangements pursuant to the Florida Uniform Transfers to Minors |
474 | Act; business trusts providing for certificates to be issued to |
475 | beneficiaries; common trust funds; land trusts under s. 689.071, |
476 | except to the extent provided in s. 689.071(7) 689.05; trusts |
477 | created by the form of the account or by the deposit agreement |
478 | at a financial institution; voting trusts; security |
479 | arrangements; liquidation trusts; trusts for the primary purpose |
480 | of paying debts, dividends, interest, salaries, wages, profits, |
481 | pensions, or employee benefits of any kind; and any arrangement |
482 | under which a person is nominee or escrowee for another. |
483 | Section 9. Section 731.303, Florida Statutes, as amended |
484 | by section 30 of chapter 2006-217, Laws of Florida, is amended |
485 | to read: |
486 | 731.303 Representation.--In the administration of or in |
487 | judicial proceedings involving estates of decedents or trusts, |
488 | the following apply: |
489 | (1) Persons are bound by orders binding others in the |
490 | following cases: |
491 | (a)1. Orders binding the sole holder or all coholders of a |
492 | power of revocation or a general, special, or limited power of |
493 | appointment, including one in the form of a power of amendment |
494 | or revocation to the extent that the power has not become |
495 | unexercisable in fact, bind all persons to the extent that their |
496 | interests, as persons who may take by virtue of the exercise or |
497 | nonexercise of the power, are subject to the power. |
498 | 2. Subparagraph 1. does not apply to: |
499 | a. Any matter determined by the court to involve fraud or |
500 | bad faith by the trustee; |
501 | b. A power of a trustee to distribute trust property; or |
502 | c. A power of appointment held by a person while the |
503 | person is the sole trustee. |
504 | (b) To the extent there is no conflict of interest between |
505 | them or among the persons represented: |
506 | 1. Orders binding a guardian of the property bind the |
507 | ward. |
508 | 2. Orders binding a trustee bind beneficiaries of the |
509 | trust in proceedings to probate a will, in establishing or |
510 | adding to a trust, in reviewing the acts or accounts of a prior |
511 | fiduciary, and in proceedings involving creditors or other third |
512 | parties. However, for purposes of this section, a conflict of |
513 | interest shall be deemed to exist when each trustee of a trust |
514 | that is a beneficiary of the estate is also a personal |
515 | representative of the estate. |
516 | 3. Orders binding a personal representative bind persons |
517 | interested in the undistributed assets of a decedent's estate, |
518 | in actions or proceedings by or against the estate. |
519 | (c) An unborn or unascertained person, or a minor or any |
520 | other person under a legal disability, who is not otherwise |
521 | represented is bound by an order to the extent that person's |
522 | interest is represented by another party having the same or |
523 | greater quality of interest in the proceeding. |
524 | (2) Orders binding a guardian of the person shall not bind |
525 | the ward. |
526 | (3) In proceedings involving the administration of estates |
527 | or trusts, notice is required as follows: |
528 | (a) Notice as prescribed by law shall be given to every |
529 | interested person, or to one who can bind the interested person |
530 | as described in paragraph (1)(a) or paragraph (1)(b). Notice may |
531 | be given both to the interested person and to another who can |
532 | bind him or her. |
533 | (b) Notice is given to unborn or unascertained persons who |
534 | are not represented pursuant to paragraph (1)(a) or paragraph |
535 | (1)(b) by giving notice to all known persons whose interests in |
536 | the proceedings are the same as, or of a greater quality than, |
537 | those of the unborn or unascertained persons. |
538 | (4) If the court determines that representation of the |
539 | interest would otherwise be inadequate, the court may, at any |
540 | time, appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of |
541 | an incapacitated person, an unborn or unascertained person, a |
542 | minor or any other person otherwise under a legal disability, or |
543 | a person whose identity or address is unknown. If not precluded |
544 | by conflict of interest, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to |
545 | represent several persons or interests. |
546 | (5) The holder of a power of appointment over property not |
547 | held in trust may represent and bind persons whose interests, as |
548 | permissible appointees, takers in default, or otherwise, are |
549 | subject to the power. Representation under this subsection does |
550 | not apply to: |
551 | (a) Any matter determined by the court to involve fraud or |
552 | bad faith by the trustee; |
553 | (b) A power of a trustee to distribute trust property; or |
554 | (c) A power of appointment held by a person while the |
555 | person is the sole trustee. |
556 | Section 10. Section 736.0102, Florida Statutes, is amended |
557 | to read: |
558 | 736.0102 Scope.--This code applies to express trusts, |
559 | charitable or noncharitable, and trusts created pursuant to a |
560 | law, judgment, or decree that requires the trust to be |
561 | administered in the manner of an express trust. This code does |
562 | not apply to constructive or resulting trusts; conservatorships; |
563 | custodial arrangements pursuant to the Florida Uniform Transfers |
564 | to Minors Act; business trusts providing for certificates to be |
565 | issued to beneficiaries; common trust funds; land trusts under |
566 | s. 689.071, except to the extent provided in s. 689.071(7) s. |
567 | 689.05; trusts created by the form of the account or by the |
568 | deposit agreement at a financial institution; voting trusts; |
569 | security arrangements; liquidation trusts; trusts for the |
570 | primary purpose of paying debts, dividends, interest, salaries, |
571 | wages, profits, pensions, or employee benefits of any kind; and |
572 | any arrangement under which a person is nominee or escrowee for |
573 | another. |
574 | Section 11. Section 736.0501, Florida Statutes, is amended |
575 | to read: |
576 | 736.0501 Rights of beneficiary's creditor or |
577 | assignee.--Except as provided in s. 736.0504, to the extent a |
578 | beneficiary's interest is not subject to a spendthrift |
579 | provision, the court may authorize a creditor or assignee of the |
580 | beneficiary to reach the beneficiary's interest by attachment of |
581 | present or future distributions to or for the benefit of the |
582 | beneficiary or by other means. The court may limit the award to |
583 | such relief as is appropriate under the circumstances. |
584 | Section 12. Subsection (1) of section 736.0502, Florida |
585 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
586 | 736.0502 Spendthrift provision.-- |
587 | (1) A spendthrift provision is valid only if the provision |
588 | restrains both voluntary and involuntary transfer of a |
589 | beneficiary's interest. This subsection does not apply to any |
590 | trust the terms of which are included in an instrument executed |
591 | before in existence on the effective date of this code. |
592 | Section 13. Subsection (3) of section 736.0503, Florida |
593 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
594 | 736.0503 Exceptions to spendthrift provision.-- |
595 | (3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and in |
596 | s. 736.0504, a claimant against which a spendthrift provision |
597 | may not be enforced may obtain from a court, or pursuant to the |
598 | Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, an order attaching |
599 | present or future distributions to or for the benefit of the |
600 | beneficiary. The court may limit the award to such relief as is |
601 | appropriate under the circumstances. Notwithstanding this |
602 | subsection, the remedies provided in this subsection apply to a |
603 | claim by a beneficiary's child, spouse, former spouse, or a |
604 | judgment creditor described in paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph |
605 | (2)(b) only as a last resort upon an initial showing that |
606 | traditional methods of enforcing the claim are insufficient. |
607 | Section 14. Section 736.0504, Florida Statutes, is amended |
608 | to read: |
609 | 736.0504 Discretionary trusts; effect of standard.-- |
610 | (1) As used in this section, the term "discretionary |
611 | distribution" means a distribution that is subject to the |
612 | trustee's discretion whether or not the discretion is expressed |
613 | in the form of a standard of distribution and whether or not the |
614 | trustee has abused the discretion. |
615 | (2) Whether or not a trust contains a spendthrift |
616 | provision, if a trustee may make discretionary distributions to |
617 | or for the benefit of a beneficiary, a creditor of the |
618 | beneficiary, including a creditor as described in s. |
619 | 736.0503(2), may not: |
620 | (a) Compel a distribution that is subject to the trustee's |
621 | discretion; or |
622 | (b) Attach or otherwise reach the interest, if any, which |
623 | the beneficiary might have as a result of the trustee's |
624 | authority to make discretionary distributions to or for the |
625 | benefit of the beneficiary. Whether or not a trust contains a |
626 | spendthrift provision, a creditor of a beneficiary may not |
627 | compel a distribution that is subject to the trustee's |
628 | discretion, even if: |
629 | (a) The discretion is expressed in the form of a standard |
630 | of distribution; or |
631 | (b) The trustee has abused the discretion. |
632 | (3)(2) If the trustee's discretion to make distributions |
633 | for the trustee's own benefit is limited by an ascertainable |
634 | standard, a creditor may not reach or compel distribution of the |
635 | beneficial interest except to the extent the interest would be |
636 | subject to the creditor's claim were the beneficiary not acting |
637 | as trustee. |
638 | (4)(3) This section does not limit the right of a |
639 | beneficiary to maintain a judicial proceeding against a trustee |
640 | for an abuse of discretion or failure to comply with a standard |
641 | for distribution. |
642 | Section 15. Subsection (5) of section 736.0813, Florida |
643 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
644 | 736.0813 Duty to inform and account.--The trustee shall |
645 | keep the qualified beneficiaries of the trust reasonably |
646 | informed of the trust and its administration. |
647 | (5) This section applies to trust accountings rendered for |
648 | accounting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2007 January 1, |
649 | 2008. |
650 | Section 16. Subsection (5) of section 736.1106, Florida |
651 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
652 | 736.1106 Antilapse; survivorship with respect to future |
653 | interests under terms of inter vivos and testamentary trusts; |
654 | substitute takers.-- |
655 | (5) Subsections (1) through (4) apply This section applies |
656 | to all trusts other than trusts that were irrevocable before the |
657 | effective date of this code. Sections 732.603, 732.604, and |
658 | 737.6035, as they exist on June 30, 2007, continue to apply to |
659 | other trusts executed on or after June 12, 2003. |
660 | Section 17. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section |
661 | 736.1204, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
662 | 736.1204 Powers and duties of trustee of a private |
663 | foundation trust or a split interest trust.-- |
664 | (4) Paragraphs (3)(b) and (c) shall not apply to a split |
665 | interest trust if: |
666 | (a) All the income interest from income, and none of the |
667 | remainder interest, of the trust is devoted solely to one or |
668 | more of the purposes described in s. 170(c)(2)(B) of the |
669 | Internal Revenue Code, and all amounts in the trust for which a |
670 | deduction was allowed under s. 170, s. 545(b)(2), s. 556(b)(2), |
671 | s. 642(c), s. 2055, s. 2106(a)(2), or s. 2522 of the Internal |
672 | Revenue Code have an aggregate fair market value of not more |
673 | than 60 percent of the aggregate fair market value of all |
674 | amounts in the trust; or |
675 | Section 18. Section 736.1209, Florida Statutes, is amended |
676 | to read: |
677 | 736.1209 Election to come under this part.--With the |
678 | consent of that organization or organizations, a trustee of a |
679 | trust for the benefit of a public charitable organization or |
680 | organizations may come under s. 736.1208(5) s. 736.0838(5) by |
681 | filing with the state attorney an election, accompanied by the |
682 | proof of required consent. Thereafter the trust shall be subject |
683 | to s. 736.1208(5). |
684 | Section 19. Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section |
685 | 736.1001, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
686 | 736.1001 Remedies for breach of trust.-- |
687 | (2) To remedy a breach of trust that has occurred or may |
688 | occur, the court may: |
689 | (g) Remove the trustee as provided in s. 736.0706 s. |
690 | 736.706; |
691 | Section 20. This act shall take effect July 1, 2007. |