Le texte intégral de ce guide est en anglais ; le résumé ci-dessus est dans votre langue. Les résumés des lois et l'anglais restent la source de référence.
Core duties · 6 min de lecture
A standard of conduct, not of outcome
EPTL 11-2.3 provides that a trustee invests and manages property held in trust as a prudent investor would, considering the purposes, terms, distribution requirements and other circumstances of the trust, exercising reasonable care, skill and caution. The standard is one of conduct, not outcome or performance: compliance is determined in light of the facts and circumstances prevailing at the time of the trustee's decision or action (EPTL 11-2.3(b)(1)).
The act asks for an overall investment strategy with risk and return objectives suited to the trust, attention to the factors the section lists — among them general economic conditions, inflation, tax consequences and the beneficiaries' needs — and diversification, unless the trustee reasonably determines that it is in the beneficiaries' interests not to diversify (EPTL 11-2.3(b)).
The initial assets
EPTL 11-2.3(b)(3)(D) provides that a trustee, within a reasonable time after the creation of the trust or the trustee's appointment, determines whether to retain or dispose of the initial assets. The section sets no day-count, which makes the record of when the decision was made, and why, the evidence that it was made at all.
The decision sits beside the other duties of the first months: taking possession of and managing the property (EPTL 11-1.1(b)(5)), keeping it insured (EPTL 11-1.1(b)(4)) and keeping it separate from the trustee's own (EPTL 11-1.6).
Impartiality between income and remainder
A trust with an income beneficiary and remainder beneficiaries asks the trustee to serve both. EPTL 11-A-1.3 provides that in allocating receipts and disbursements between principal and income, the fiduciary follows the instrument, then the article, and exercises any discretion impartially, based on what is fair and reasonable to all of the beneficiaries, unless the terms clearly intend that one or more be favored.
Investment choices bear on the same balance: a portfolio built only for income, or only for growth, can favor one group over another. Whether a particular allocation is fair is a fact-specific question the record of the trustee's reasons helps answer.
What no instrument can waive
EPTL 11-1.7 provides that an attempted grant of exoneration from liability for failing to exercise reasonable care, diligence and prudence, or of power to fix an asset's value conclusively, is void as against public policy — for a lifetime trustee, in a will or trust executed on or after the 2018 amendment's effective date. And where a trustee delegates investment functions, an attempted exoneration of the delegee is void (EPTL 11-2.3(c)).
Delegation itself is allowed with care: in selecting the delegee, in setting the scope and terms of the delegation, and in reviewing the delegee's performance (EPTL 11-2.3(c)).
Les textes de loi, mot pour mot
Property held as fiduciary to be kept separate
EPTL 11-1.6 ↗Explication claire et simple ; le texte intégral de la loi n'est pas encore attesté dans notre bibliothèque. Consultez la loi officielle via le lien ci-dessus.
Limitations on powers and immunities of executors and testamentary trustees
EPTL 11-1.7 ↗Explication claire et simple ; le texte intégral de la loi n'est pas encore attesté dans notre bibliothèque. Consultez la loi officielle via le lien ci-dessus.
Prudent investor act
EPTL 11-2.3 ↗Explication claire et simple ; le texte intégral de la loi n'est pas encore attesté dans notre bibliothèque. Consultez la loi officielle via le lien ci-dessus.
Fiduciary duties; general principles
EPTL 11-A-1.3 ↗Explication claire et simple ; le texte intégral de la loi n'est pas encore attesté dans notre bibliothèque. Consultez la loi officielle via le lien ci-dessus.
Questions fréquentes
What is the prudent investor rule in New York?
EPTL 11-2.3 provides that a trustee invests and manages trust property as a prudent investor would for the entire portfolio, with an overall strategy and diversification unless not diversifying is reasonably in the beneficiaries' interests; compliance is determined in light of the facts and circumstances prevailing at the time of each decision.
How long does a New York trustee have to decide about the initial assets?
A reasonable time after the creation of the trust or the trustee's appointment; EPTL 11-2.3(b)(3)(D) sets no day-count.
Can a trust excuse a New York trustee from the duty of care?
No. A grant of exoneration from liability for failing to exercise reasonable care, diligence and prudence is void as against public policy — for a lifetime trustee, in a trust executed on or after the 2018 amendment's effective date (EPTL 11-1.7).
Lectures liées
Le Centre d'apprentissage est de l'information générale sur la loi de l’État de New York — pas un avis juridique, ni un substitut aux conseils d'un avocat de l’État de New York agréé sur vos faits précis. TrusteeClear est un logiciel, pas un cabinet.