Перейти к содержимому
TrusteeClear

Making distributions as a Maryland trustee: discretion, timing and representation

Distributions are where a trustee's duties meet the family's expectations. This guide explains how the Maryland Trust Act frames discretion, what usually comes before a distribution, the optional proposal for distribution, and how Maryland divides a share "by representation".

Полный текст этого руководства на английском языке; краткое изложение выше — на вашем языке. Изложения законов и английский текст остаются источником записи.

Distributions · 7 мин чтения

Discretion, and its limits

Est. & Trusts § 14.5-203(a) provides that a discretionary power is subject to judicial control to prevent its misinterpretation or abuse — however broad the words that grant it. With two or more beneficiaries, the trustee acts impartially, giving due regard to their respective interests (Est. & Trusts § 14.5-803).

A trustee who is also a beneficiary may not exercise a power to make discretionary distributions to themself except as limited by an ascertainable standard of health, education, support or maintenance, nor use one to satisfy their own legal obligations; the rule does not apply while the trust is revocable, and the statute lists its other exceptions (Est. & Trusts § 14.5-814).

What usually comes before a distribution

Three statutes bear on timing. A contest of a trust that was revocable at the death must come within the earlier of one year after the death or six months after the trustee's notice under Est. & Trusts § 14.5-605. The settlor's creditors may reach the trust as Est. & Trusts § 14.5-508 provides. And the inheritance tax on property passing to a recipient outside the exempt family classes is paid, before it is distributed, by the person who distributes it — who is liable for it until it is paid (Tax-Gen. § 7-216(a)); Md. Rule 6-405 governs the application to fix the tax on property outside the probate estate.

The proposal for distribution

On termination or partial termination, Est. & Trusts § 14.5-817(a) allows the trustee to send the beneficiaries a proposal for distribution; a beneficiary's right to object ends if the beneficiary does not notify the trustee of an objection within 60 days after the proposal was sent — but only if the proposal informed the beneficiary of the right to object and the time allowed. The trustee then proceeds expeditiously to distribute, with a reasonable reserve for debts, expenses and taxes (§ 14.5-817(b)).

"By representation" in Maryland

Where Maryland's estates article provides for representation among a decedent's issue, Est. & Trusts § 1-210(b) divides the property into as many equal shares as there are surviving children and children who died leaving surviving issue, and repeats that pattern down each line — the per stirpes method. Among the issue of a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, the division is at the nearest degree with a survivor (§ 1-210(c)). The trust's own words control how its gifts divide; what they mean is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney of your choosing.

Законы, дословно

  • Representation (per stirpes) for issue

    Est. & Trusts § 1-210 ↗

    Понятное простое объяснение; дословный текст статута ещё не заверен в нашей библиотеке. Смотрите официальный статут по ссылке выше.

  • Discretionary powers

    Est. & Trusts § 14.5-203 ↗

    Понятное простое объяснение; дословный текст статута ещё не заверен в нашей библиотеке. Смотрите официальный статут по ссылке выше.

  • Distribution on termination

    Est. & Trusts § 14.5-817 ↗

    Понятное простое объяснение; дословный текст статута ещё не заверен в нашей библиотеке. Смотрите официальный статут по ссылке выше.

  • Who pays the inheritance tax

    Tax-Gen. § 7-216 ↗

    Понятное простое объяснение; дословный текст статута ещё не заверен в нашей библиотеке. Смотрите официальный статут по ссылке выше.

Частые вопросы

Can a Maryland trustee refuse a beneficiary's request for a distribution?

A discretionary power is the trustee's to exercise under the terms, subject to judicial control to prevent its misinterpretation or abuse (Est. & Trusts § 14.5-203(a)). Whether a particular decision is within it is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney.

How long do Maryland beneficiaries have to object to a proposed distribution?

Sixty days after the proposal was sent, where the proposal informed them of the right to object and the time allowed (Est. & Trusts § 14.5-817(a)).

Does a Maryland trustee pay inheritance tax before distributing?

For property passing to a recipient outside the exempt classes, yes — the person who distributes pays the tax before distributing and is liable until it is paid (Tax-Gen. § 7-216(a)); the rate is 10 percent of the clear value (Tax-Gen. § 7-204).

Учебный центр — это общая информация о законах Мэриленда, а не юридическая консультация и не замена совету лицензированного юриста Мэриленда по вашим конкретным фактам. TrusteeClear — это программа, а не юридическая фирма.