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Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 14A : Trusts

Chapter 001 : General Provisions and Definitions

(Cite as: 14A V.S.A. § 105)
  • § 105. Default and mandatory rules

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

    (b) The terms of a trust prevail over any provision of this title except:

    (1) the requirements for creating a trust;

    (2) the duty of a trustee to act in good faith and in accordance with the terms and purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries;

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

    (4) the power of the Probate Division of the Superior Court to modify or terminate a trust under sections 410 through 416 of this title;

    (5) the effect of a spendthrift provision and the rights of certain creditors and assignees to reach a trust as provided in chapter 5 of this title;

    (6) the power of the Probate Division of the Superior Court under section 702 of this title to require, dispense with, or modify or terminate a bond;

    (7) the power of the Probate Division of the Superior Court under subsection 708(b) of this title to adjust a trustee’s compensation specified in the terms of the trust which is unreasonably low or high;

    (8) the effect of an exculpatory term under section 1008 of this title;

    (9) the rights under sections 1010 through 1013 of this title of a person other than a trustee or beneficiary;

    (10) periods of limitation for commencing a judicial proceeding;

    (11) the power of the Probate Division of the Superior Court to take such action and exercise such jurisdiction as may be necessary in the interests of justice; and

    (12) the subject matter jurisdiction of the Probate Division of the Superior Court and venue for commencing a proceeding as provided in sections 203 and 204 of this title. (Added 2009, No. 20, § 1; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 236, eff. Feb. 1, 2011.)