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The two notices, the duty to inform and the annual report under Virginia law

Virginia's Uniform Trust Code sets out in one section what a trustee tells the beneficiaries and when: Va. Code § 64.2-775. This guide walks through its five subsections in plain language — what each provides, who receives what, and where the questions begin for a licensed Virginia attorney of your choosing.

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

The standing duty and the instrument on request

Va. Code § 64.2-775(A) provides that a trustee keeps the qualified beneficiaries reasonably informed about the administration of the trust and of the material facts necessary for them to protect their interests and, unless unreasonable under the circumstances, promptly responds to a beneficiary's request for information related to the administration; a trustee who declines in a good-faith belief that answering would be unreasonable or contrary to the settlor's purposes is not subject to removal or other sanctions for it. On a beneficiary's request the trustee promptly furnishes a copy of the trust instrument (Va. Code § 64.2-775(B)(1)), and the trustee notifies the qualified beneficiaries in advance of any change in the method or rate of compensation (Va. Code § 64.2-775(B)(4)).

The two 60-day notices

Within 60 days after accepting a trusteeship, the trustee notifies the qualified beneficiaries of the acceptance and of the trustee's name, address and telephone number (Va. Code § 64.2-775(B)(2)). Within 60 days after the date the trustee acquires knowledge of the creation of an irrevocable trust, or knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable by the settlor's death or otherwise, the trustee notifies them of the trust's existence, of the identity of the settlor or settlors, of the right to request a copy of the trust instrument and of the right to a trustee's report (Va. Code § 64.2-775(B)(3)) — a clock that runs from the trustee's knowledge, not the event.

Notice goes in a manner reasonably suitable under the circumstances and likely to result in receipt — first-class mail, personal delivery, delivery to the last known residence or place of business, or a properly directed electronic message (Va. Code § 64.2-707(A)) — to the qualified beneficiaries and to any other beneficiary who has requested notice (Va. Code § 64.2-708(A)).

The annual report, and what it can start

At least annually and at the termination of the trust, the trustee sends the distributees and permissible distributees of income or principal, and other qualified or nonqualified beneficiaries who request it, a report of the trust property, liabilities, receipts and disbursements, including the source and amount of the trustee's compensation, a listing of the trust assets and, if feasible, their market values (Va. Code § 64.2-775(C)). A report that adequately discloses the existence of a potential claim for breach of trust and informs the beneficiary of the time allowed starts a one-year limitation period (Va. Code § 64.2-796(A)); without one, the period is five years after the trustee leaves office, the beneficiary's interest ends or the trust ends (Va. Code § 64.2-796(C)).

The waiver, the instrument's terms and the 2006 line

A beneficiary may waive the right to a report or other information and may withdraw the waiver as to future reports (Va. Code § 64.2-775(D)). The duties to inform and report are not among the rules the terms of a trust cannot change (Va. Code § 64.2-703), so the instrument may vary them. The two notices and the annual report apply only to an irrevocable trust created, or a revocable trust that becomes irrevocable, on or after July 1, 2006 (Va. Code § 64.2-775(E)); the standing duty, the instrument on request and the advance notice of a compensation change apply whatever the date. Whether a particular instrument varies a duty, or a trust falls on one side of the line or the other, is a question for a licensed Virginia attorney of your choosing.

Les textes de loi, mot pour mot

  • Default and mandatory rules

    Va. Code § 64.2-703 ↗

    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.

  • Methods and waiver of notice

    Va. Code § 64.2-707 ↗

    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.

  • Duty to inform and report

    Va. Code § 64.2-775 ↗

    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 of action against trustee

    Va. Code § 64.2-796 ↗

    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 notices does a Virginia trustee give?

Two to the qualified beneficiaries — within 60 days after accepting, and within 60 days after learning the trust is irrevocable (Va. Code § 64.2-775(B)(2), (3)) — plus advance notice of a change in compensation (Va. Code § 64.2-775(B)(4)).

How often does a Virginia trustee report?

At least annually and at the termination, to the distributees and permissible distributees and any other beneficiary who requests it (Va. Code § 64.2-775(C)), for a trust irrevocable on or after July 1, 2006 (Va. Code § 64.2-775(E)).

Can a Virginia beneficiary waive the report?

Yes, and withdraw the waiver as to future reports (Va. Code § 64.2-775(D)).

Le Centre d'apprentissage est de l'information générale sur la loi de Virginie — pas un avis juridique, ni un substitut aux conseils d'un avocat de Virginie agréé sur vos faits précis. TrusteeClear est un logiciel, pas un cabinet.