§ 59-16.2-05 — Designation and powers of trust protector

North Dakota § 59-16.2-05

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 59: Trusts, Uses, and Powers
• Ch. 59-16.2: Directed Trustees

Text

1. A trust protector may be designated in the governing instrument of a trust.
2. The powers of a trust protector may be exercised or not exercised in the sole and
absolute discretion of the trust protector, and are binding on all other persons,
including a beneficiary, an investment trust advisor, a distribution trust advisor, a
fiduciary, an excluded fiduciary, and any other person having an interest in the trust.
3. The governing instrument may use the title "trust protector" or a similar name or
description demonstrating the intent to provide for the office and function of a trust
protector.
4. The powers granted to a trust protector by the governing instrument may include
authority to do one or more of the following:
a. Modify or amend the governing instrument to achieve favorable tax status or
respond to changes in the Internal Revenue Code, federal laws, state laws, or the
rulings and regulations under those laws;
b. Increase, decrease, or modify the interests of a beneficiary or beneficiaries of the
trust;
c. Modify the terms of a power of appointment granted by the trust provided, the
modification or amendment does not grant a beneficial interest to any individual,
class of individuals, or other parties not specifically provided for under the trust
instrument;
d. Remove, or appoint, a trustee, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor,
another directing party, investment committee member, or distribution committee
member, including designation of a plan of succession for future holders of that
office;
e. Terminate the trust, including determination of how the trustee is to distribute the
trust property to be consistent with the purposes of the trust;
f. Change the situs of the trust, the governing law of the trust, or both;

g. Appoint one or more successor trust protectors, including designation of a plan of
succession for future trust protectors;
h. Interpret terms of the trust instrument at the request of the trustee;
i. Advise the trustee on matters concerning a beneficiary;
j. Amend or modify the governing instrument to take advantage of laws governing:
(1) Restraints on alienation;
(2) Distribution of trust property; or
(3) Improvement of the administration of the trust;
k. Veto or direct trust distributions; or
l. Provide direction regarding notification of qualified beneficiaries.
5. If a charity is a qualified beneficiary of the trust, a trust protector shall give notice to the
attorney general at least sixty days before taking any action authorized under
subdivisions b through f of subsection 4. The attorney general may waive this notice
requirement.