Rutgers Law

New Jersey Statutes, Title: 3B, ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES--DECEDENTS AND OTHERS

    Chapter 31: Uniform Trust Code

      Section: 3B:31-43: Revocation or amendment of revocable trust.

          3B:31-43. Revocation or Amendment of Revocable Trust.

a. Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide that the trust is irrevocable, or that it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that the settlor intended for it to be irrevocable, the settlor may revoke or amend the trust. This subsection does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before the effective date of this act.

b. If a revocable trust is created or funded by more than one settlor:

(1) to the extent the trust consists of community property, the trust may be revoked by either spouse or partner in a civil union acting alone but may be amended only by joint action of both spouses or partners; and

(2) to the extent the trust consists of property other than community property, each settlor may revoke or amend the trust with regard to the portion of the trust property attributable to that settlor's contribution.

c. The settlor may revoke or amend a revocable trust:

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

(2) if the terms of the trust do not provide a method or the method provided in the terms is not expressly made exclusive, by:

(a) executing a later will or codicil that expressly refers to the trust or specifically devises property that would otherwise have passed according to the terms of the trust; or

(b) any other writing manifesting clear and convincing evidence of the settlor's intent.

d. Upon revocation of a revocable trust, the trustee shall deliver the trust property to the settlor as the settlor directs.

e. A settlor's powers with respect to revocation, amendment, or distribution of trust property may be exercised by an agent under a power of attorney only to the extent expressly authorized by the terms of the trust and the power.

f. A guardian of the property of the settlor may exercise a settlor's powers with respect to revocation, amendment, or distribution of trust property only with the approval of the court supervising the guardianship.

g. A trustee who does not know that a trust has been revoked or amended is not liable to the settlor or settlor's successors in interest for distributions made and other actions taken on the assumption that the trust had not been amended or revoked.

L.2015, c.276, s.1.

This section added to the Rutgers Database: 2016-02-15 11:38:37.

Older versions of 3b:31-43 (if available):

Court decisions that cite this statute: CLICK HERE.