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§ 14.5-415. Division or consolidation of trusts

West's Annotated Code of MarylandEstates and TrustsEffective: October 1, 2019

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Estates and Trusts (Refs & Annos)
Title 14.5. Maryland Trust Act (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 4. Creation, Validity, Modification, and Termination of Trust (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2019
MD Code, Estates and Trusts, § 14.5-415
§ 14.5-415. Division or consolidation of trusts
In general
(a)(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection, on petition by a trustee, personal representative, beneficiary, or party in interest, after notice as the court may direct to the trustees, personal representatives, beneficiaries, and parties in interest, and for good cause shown, a court may:
(i) Divide a trust into two or more separate trusts; or
(ii) Consolidate two or more trusts into a single trust.
(2) A court may divide a trust or consolidate trusts:
(i) On terms and conditions as the court considers appropriate; and
(ii) If the court is satisfied that a division of a trust or consolidation of trusts will not defeat or materially impair:
1. The accomplishment of trust purposes; or
2. The interests of the beneficiaries.
(3) A court may pass orders that the court considers proper or necessary to protect the interests of:
(i) A trustee;
(ii) A personal representative;
(iii) A beneficiary; or
(iv) A party in interest.
Right of trustee or personal representative to divide or consolidate trust
(b) Subsection (a) of this section may not be construed to limit the right of a trustee or personal representative to divide a trust or consolidate trusts, without an order of a court, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the governing instrument.
Division procedures
(c)(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, if a trust instrument does not provide for the consolidation or division of a trust, a trustee may, without an order of a court:
(i) Divide a trust into two or more separate trusts; or
(ii) Consolidate two or more trusts into a single trust.
(2) A trustee may not divide a trust into two or more separate trusts or consolidate two or more trusts into a single trust if a beneficiary objects in writing within 30 days after the trustee provided notice under § 14.5-109 of this title.
(3) A trustee may divide a trust or consolidate trusts:
(i) On terms and conditions as the trustee considers appropriate;
(ii) If the division of a trust or consolidation of a trust grants beneficial interests to the beneficiaries that, in the aggregate, are substantially similar to the interests the beneficiaries had before the division of the trust or consolidation of the trust; and
(iii) If the trustee is satisfied that a division of a trust or consolidation of trusts will not defeat or materially impair:
1. The accomplishment of trust purposes; or
2. The interests of the beneficiaries.

Credits

Added by Acts 2014, c. 585, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015. Amended by Acts 2019, c. 498, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 499, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.
MD Code, Estates and Trusts, § 14.5-415, MD EST & TRST § 14.5-415
Current with all legislation from the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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