§ 55-5-16 — Delegation of responsibilities to others.

A trustee has a duty to personally perform the responsibilities of the trusteeship except as a prudent person might delegate those responsibilities to others. In deciding whether, to whom, and in what manner to delegate fiduciary authority in the administration of a trust, and thereafter in monitoring agents, the trustee may seek the prior approval for the delegation from the settlor, a trust protector, or if the settlor is deceased, the majority of the current income or principal beneficiaries, or from the court. If such approval is given in writing by either the settlor, a trust protector, or if the settlor is deceased, the majority of the current income or principal beneficiaries, or by the court, the trustee is not liable for the acts of the person to whom the authority is delegated except in the cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence by the delegating trustee in the selection or monitoring of the agent.

Legislative History

SL 1996, ch 284, § 3; SL 1998, ch 282, § 42; SL 2011, ch 212, § 2; SL 2018, ch 275, § 27; SL 2021, ch 207, § 14.