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, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) A noncharitable irrevocable trust may be modified or terminated upon consent of the settlor and all beneficiaries, even if the modification or termination is inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust. If, upon petition, the Probate Division of the Superior Court finds that the settlor and all beneficiaries consent to the modification or termination of a noncharitable irrevocable trust, the Probate Division of the Superior Court shall approve the modification or termination even if the modification or termination is inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust. A settlor's power to consent to a trust's modification or termination may be exercised by an agent under a power of attorney only to the extent expressly authorized by the power of attorney or the terms of the trust; by the settlor's guardian of the property with the approval of the Probate Division of the Superior Court supervising the guardianship if an agent is not so authorized; or by the settlor's guardian of the person with the approval of the Probate Division of the Superior Court supervising the guardianship if an agent is not so authorized and a guardian of the property has not been appointed.
(b) A noncharitable irrevocable trust may be terminated upon consent of all of the beneficiaries if the Probate Division of the Superior Court concludes that continuance of the trust is not necessary to achieve any material purpose of the trust. A noncharitable irrevocable trust may be modified upon consent of all of the beneficiaries if the Probate Division of the Superior Court concludes that modification is not inconsistent with a material purpose of the trust.
(c) A spendthrift provision in the terms of the trust is not presumed to constitute a material purpose of the trust.
(d) Upon termination of a trust under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the trustee shall distribute the trust property as agreed by the beneficiaries.
(e) If not all of the beneficiaries consent to a proposed modification or termination of the trust under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the modification or termination may be approved by the Probate Division of the Superior Court if the Probate Division of the Superior Court is satisfied that:
(1) if all of the beneficiaries had consented, the trust could have been modified or terminated under this section; and
(2) the interests of a beneficiary who does not consent will be adequately protected.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Vermont Statutes Title 14 A. Trusts, § 411. Modification or termination of noncharitable irrevocable trust by consent - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/vt/title-14-a-trusts/vt-st-tit-14a-sect-411/
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)