Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) When any person, other than the person who during life shall be entitled under the will of any deceased testator to the income on the personal estate of such deceased testator or any part thereof, shall be the executor or administrator with the will annexed of the estate of such deceased testator, such executor or administrator with the will annexed may, if no trustee is named in such will, after having passed a final account of administration on the estate before the Register of Wills, petition the Court of Chancery for the appointment of a trustee to receive from such executor or administrator with the will annexed, the fund to which the person named in the will is entitled during the person's life.
(b) The Court of Chancery, upon petition being presented to it as provided in subsection (a) of this section, shall appoint a trustee to receive, manage and invest the fund, and the trustee shall give bond as the Court may order and direct.
(c) The trustee shall manage and invest the fund, and pay over to the person entitled for life to the fund the profits and income arising thereout; and after the death of the person entitled for life, shall pay the fund to the person entitled absolutely.
(d) The trust shall terminate upon the death of the person entitled during life to the fund, and the release of the person entitled absolutely to the fund shall discharge and release the trustee from all liability for or concerning the same.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 12. Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations § 1551. Appointment of trustee upon petition of executor or administrator; bond and release of trustee - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-12-decedents-estates-and-fiduciary-relations/de-code-sect-12-1551/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)