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.
Distributions · 7 min de lecture
Mandatory, support and discretionary interests
Tennessee classifies a distribution interest by the instrument's words as mandatory, support or discretionary (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-103(11)). A discretionary interest is neither a property interest nor an enforceable right but a mere expectancy; the trustee's exercise of discretion is reviewed only for dishonesty, improper motive or failure to act when under a duty to act, never for reasonableness (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-814(b)). A mandatory or support interest is enforceable as the instrument states it, and the court may review the trustee's action under it ((c)). A trustee who is also a beneficiary, other than the settlor, exercises a discretionary power for the trustee's own benefit only within an ascertainable standard and never to satisfy the trustee's own legal obligation of support ((d)).
Before distributing: the contest window and the creditors
A person contests the validity of a trust revocable at the settlor's death within the earlier of two years after the death or 120 days after the trustee sent the person a copy of the instrument and a notice of the trust's existence, the trustee's name and address and the time allowed (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-604(a)); the trustee may distribute after the death, and is not liable for doing so unless a contest is pending or a potential contestant's notice is followed by a proceeding within 60 days ((b)), while a beneficiary returns a distribution where the trust is later held invalid ((c)). The property of a trust revocable at the death answers for the settlor's debts, the costs of administration and the funeral expenses (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-505(a)(6)); every claim against the decedent is barred twelve months after the death, taxes excepted (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-310(a)). On termination the trustee distributes within a reasonable time, keeping a reasonable reserve for debts, expenses, attorney fees and taxes (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-817(a)).
Per stirpes, in Tennessee's words
Where a beneficiary died before the settlor and the instrument sends the share to that beneficiary's descendants, the instrument's own words decide how it divides. Tennessee's intestacy statute passes what the surviving spouse does not take to the decedent's issue — equally where they are of the same degree, and by representation for those of a more remote degree (Tenn. Code Ann. § 31-2-104(b)(1)) — and provides that where representation is called for by the title, it is per stirpes (Tenn. Code Ann. § 31-2-106): the division begins at the children's generation, and a deceased child's share passes down that child's own line. A trust that uses the words without defining them is read by a licensed Tennessee attorney of your choosing against the instrument as a whole; the distribution calculator shows the arithmetic of each rule.
Les textes de loi, mot pour mot
Representation
Tenn. Code Ann. § 31-2-106 ↗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 action contesting validity of revocable trust; distribution
Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-604 ↗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.
Exercise of powers over discretionary and other interests; tax savings
Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-814 ↗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 on termination, removal or resignation; discharge notice
Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-817 ↗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 Tennessee beneficiary force a discretionary distribution?
No. A discretionary interest is a mere expectancy, reviewed only for dishonesty, improper motive or failure to act when under a duty (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-814(b)); a mandatory or support interest is enforceable as the instrument states it ((c)).
When is it safe for a Tennessee trustee to distribute after a death?
The statute protects a distribution made after the death unless a contest is pending or a potential contestant's notice is followed by a proceeding within 60 days (Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-604(b)); the two-year window, the creditors' twelve months and a reasonable reserve are the facts a licensed Tennessee attorney of your choosing weighs.
What does per stirpes mean in Tennessee?
Representation at the children's generation: equal shares for the children living or deceased with issue, a deceased child's share passing to that child's own descendants (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 31-2-104(b)(1), 31-2-106).
Lectures liées
Le Centre d'apprentissage est de l'information générale sur la loi du Tennessee — pas un avis juridique, ni un substitut aux conseils d'un avocat du Tennessee agréé sur vos faits précis. TrusteeClear est un logiciel, pas un cabinet.