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Distributions · 7 min de lecture
Discretion, and its limits
However broad the discretion the terms give — "absolute", "sole" or "uncontrolled" included — N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-8-814(a) provides that a trustee abuses it by acting in bad faith, dishonestly or with an improper motive, or by failing to use judgment in accordance with the trust's terms and purposes and the beneficiaries' interests. A creditor may not compel a discretionary distribution even where the discretion was abused, except a beneficiary's child holding a support order where a standard was not followed (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-5-504).
The contest window and the hold
A trust revocable at the settlor's death may be contested within the earlier of three years after the death or 120 days after the trustee served a copy of the instrument and a notice under Rule 4 (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-6-604(a)). The trustee may distribute under the terms without liability, except against the rights of someone affected by a contest the trustee knows is pending, or that a potential contestant has notified in writing and begins within 60 days (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-6-604(b)).
Creditors, and the reserve
After the death the trust answers for the settlor's creditors, the estate's costs, the funeral and the allowances to the extent the probate estate falls short (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-5-505(a)(3)). On termination the trustee distributes expeditiously but may keep a reasonable reserve for debts, expenses and taxes (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-8-817).
Shares: divided at each generation
The trust's own words decide how shares pass when a beneficiary dies first. Where a trust sends property to heirs or fails, North Carolina's intestacy statute divides among descendants at each generation: each surviving child's share is the property divided by the surviving children plus the deceased children who left descendants, and the shares not taken are combined and divided the same way at the next generation (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 29-16(a)). For a beneficiary of a revocable trust who is the settlor's grandparent or a grandparent's descendant and dies first, the beneficiary's surviving issue take in that beneficiary's place unless the terms say otherwise (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-6-605).
Les textes de loi, mot pour mot
Distribution among classes
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 29-16 ↗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.
Limitation on an action contesting the validity of a revocable trust; distribution of trust property
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-6-604 ↗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.
Discretionary powers; tax savings
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-8-814 ↗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.
Distribution upon termination
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-8-817 ↗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
Can a North Carolina trustee refuse a beneficiary's distribution request?
Where the distribution is discretionary, the trustee decides under the terms' standard — but the discretion is abused by bad faith, dishonesty, an improper motive or a failure to use judgment in accordance with the terms, purposes and interests (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-8-814(a)).
When can a North Carolina trustee distribute after a death?
The trustee may administer and distribute under the terms, but not against the rights of someone affected by a contest the trustee knows is pending or that has been noticed in writing and begun within 60 days (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-6-604(b)), and keeping a reserve for debts, expenses and taxes (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-8-817).
Does North Carolina use per stirpes?
Not for intestate descendants: North Carolina divides at each generation (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 29-16(a)). A trust that says "per stirpes" is read on its own words.
Lectures liées
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