ARTICLE 8B. WEST VIRGINIA UNIFORM TRUST DECANTING ACT.

§44D-8B-1. Short title.

This article may be cited as the West Virginia Uniform Trust Decanting Act.

§44D-8B-10. Formalities.

An exercise of the decanting power must be made in a record signed by an authorized fiduciary. The signed record must, directly or by reference to the notice required by §44D-8B-7 of this code, identify the first trust and the second trust or trusts and state the property of the first trust being distributed to each second trust and the property, if any, that remains in the first trust.

§44D-8B-11. Decanting power under expanded distributive discretion.

(a) In this section:

(1) “Noncontingent right” means a right that is not subject to the exercise of discretion or the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur. The term does not include a right held by a beneficiary if any person has discretion to distribute property subject to the right to any person other than the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s estate.

(2) “Presumptive remainder beneficiary” means a qualified beneficiary other than a current beneficiary.

(3) “Successor beneficiary” means a beneficiary that is not a qualified beneficiary on the date the beneficiary’s qualification is determined. The term does not include a person that is a beneficiary only because the person holds a nongeneral power of appointment.

(4) “Vested interest” means:

(A) A right to a mandatory distribution that is a noncontingent right as of the date of the exercise of the decanting power;

(B) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to a mandatory distribution of income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property;

(C) A current and noncontingent right, annually or more frequently, to withdraw income, a specified dollar amount, or a percentage of value of some or all of the trust property;

(D) A presently exercisable general power of appointment; or

(E) A right to receive an ascertainable part of the trust property on the trust’s termination which is not subject to the exercise of discretion or to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur.

(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section and §44D-8B-14 of this code, an authorized fiduciary that has expanded distributive discretion over the principal of a first trust for the benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.

(c) Subject to §44D-8B-13 of this code, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may not:

(1) Include as a current beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section;

(2) Include as a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary a person that is not a current beneficiary, presumptive remainder beneficiary, or successor beneficiary of the first trust, except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section; or

(3) Reduce or eliminate a vested interest.

(d) Subject to subdivision (3), subsection (c) of this section and §44D-8B-14 of this code, in an exercise of the decanting power under this section, a second trust may be a trust created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction and may:

(1) Retain a power of appointment granted in the first trust;

(2) Omit a power of appointment granted in the first trust, other than a presently exercisable general power of appointment;

(3) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a current beneficiary of the first trust and the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion to distribute principal to the beneficiary; and

(4) Create or modify a power of appointment if the powerholder is a presumptive remainder beneficiary or successor beneficiary of the first trust, but the exercise of the power may take effect only after the powerholder becomes, or would have become if then living, a current beneficiary.

(e) A power of appointment described in subdivisions (1) through (4), inclusive, subsection (d) of this section may be general or nongeneral. The class of permissible appointees in favor of which the power may be exercised may be broader than or different from the beneficiaries of the first trust.

(f) If an authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion over part, but not all of the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has expanded distributive discretion.

§44D-8B-12. Decanting power under limited distributive discretion.

(a) In this section, “limited distributive discretion” means a discretionary power of distribution that is limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.

(b) An authorized fiduciary that has limited distributive discretion over the principal of the first trust for benefit of one or more current beneficiaries may exercise the decanting power over the principal of the first trust.

(c) Under this section and subject to §44D-8B-14 of this code, a second trust may be created or administered under the law of any jurisdiction. Under this section, the second trusts, in the aggregate, must grant each beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests which are substantially similar to the beneficial interests of the beneficiary in the first trust.

(d) A power to make a distribution under a second trust for the benefit of a beneficiary who is an individual is substantially similar to a power under the first trust to make a distribution directly to the beneficiary. A distribution is for the benefit of a beneficiary if:

(1) The distribution is applied for the benefit of the beneficiary;

(2) The beneficiary is under a legal disability or the trustee reasonably believes the beneficiary is incapacitated, and the distribution is made as permitted under this chapter; or

(3) The distribution is made as permitted under the terms of the first-trust instrument and the second-trust instrument for the benefit of the beneficiary.

(e) If an authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion over part, but not all of, the principal of a first trust, the fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this section over that part of the principal over which the authorized fiduciary has limited distributive discretion.

§44D-8B-13. Trust for beneficiary with disability.

(a) In this section:

(1) “Beneficiary with a disability” means a beneficiary of a first trust who the special-needs fiduciary believes may qualify for governmental benefits based on disability, whether or not the beneficiary currently receives those benefits or is an individual who has been adjudicated a protected person.

(2) “Governmental benefits” means financial aid or services from a state, federal, or other public agency.

(3) “Special-needs fiduciary” means, with respect to a trust that has a beneficiary with a disability:

(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a grantor, that has discretion to distribute part or all of the principal of a first trust to one, or more current beneficiaries;

(B) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under paragraph (A) of this subdivision, a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a grantor, that has discretion to distribute part, or all of, the income of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries; or

(C) If no trustee or fiduciary has discretion under paragraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision, a trustee or other fiduciary, other than a grantor, that is required to distribute part, or all of, the income or principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries.

(4) “Special-needs trust” means a trust the trustee believes would not be considered a resource for purposes of determining whether a beneficiary with a disability is eligible for governmental benefits.

(b) A special-needs fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under §44D-8B-11 of this code over the principal of a first trust as if the fiduciary had authority to distribute principal to a beneficiary with a disability subject to expanded distributive discretion if:

(1) A second trust is a special-needs trust that benefits the beneficiary with a disability; and

(2) The special-needs fiduciary determines that exercise of the decanting power will further the purposes of the first trust.

(c) In an exercise of the decanting power under this section, the following rules apply:

(1) Notwithstanding §44D-8B-11(c)(2) of this code, the interest in the second trust of a beneficiary with a disability may:

(A) Be a pooled trust as defined by Medicaid law for the benefit of the beneficiary with a disability under 42 U.S.C. §1396p(d)(4)(C); or

(B) Contain payback provisions complying with reimbursement requirements of Medicaid law under 42 U.S.C. §1396p(d)(4)(A).

(2) Section 44D-8B-11(c)(3) of this code does not apply to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability.

(3) Except as affected by any change to the interests of the beneficiary with a disability, the second trust, or if there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts in the aggregate, must grant each other beneficiary of the first trust beneficial interests in the second trusts which are substantially similar to the beneficiary’s beneficial interests in the first trust.

§44D-8B-14. Protection of charitable interest.

(a) In this section:

(1) “Determinable charitable interest” means a charitable interest that is a right to a mandatory distribution currently, periodically, on the occurrence of a specified event, or after the passage of a specified time and which is unconditional or will be held solely for charitable purposes.

(2) “Unconditional” means not subject to the occurrence of a specified event that is not certain to occur, other than a requirement in a trust instrument that a charitable organization be in existence or qualify under a particular provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the date of the distribution, if the charitable organization meets the requirement on the date of determination.

(b) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest which is not held by an identified charitable organization, the Attorney General has the rights of a qualified beneficiary and may represent and bind the charitable interest.

(c) If a first trust contains a charitable interest, the second trust or trusts may not:

(1) Diminish the charitable interest;

(2) Diminish the interest of an identified charitable organization that holds the charitable interest;

(3) Alter any charitable purpose stated in the first-trust instrument; or

(4) Alter any condition or restriction related to the charitable interest.

(d) If there are two or more second trusts, the second trusts shall be treated as one trust for purposes of determining whether the exercise of the decanting power diminishes the charitable interest or diminishes the interest of an identified charitable organization for purposes of subsection (c) of this section.

(e) If a first trust contains a determinable charitable interest which is not held by an identified charitable organization, the second trust or trusts that include a charitable interest pursuant to subsection (c) of this section must be administered under the law of this state unless:

(1) The Attorney General, after receiving notice under §44D-8B-7 of this code, fails to object in a signed record delivered to the authorized fiduciary within the notice period;

(2) The Attorney General consents in a signed record to the second trust or trusts being administered under the law of another jurisdiction; or

(3) The court approves the exercise of the decanting power.

§44D-8B-15. Trust limitation on decanting.

(a) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to the extent the first-trust instrument expressly prohibits exercise of:

(1) The decanting power; or

(2) A power granted by state law to the fiduciary to distribute part, or all of, the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.

(b) Exercise of the decanting power is subject to any restriction in the first-trust instrument that expressly applies to exercise of:

(1) The decanting power; or

(2) A power granted by state law to a fiduciary to distribute part, or all of, the principal of the trust to another trust or to modify the trust.

(c) A general prohibition of the amendment or revocation of a first trust, a spendthrift clause, or a clause restraining the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a beneficiary’s interest does not preclude exercise of the decanting power.

(d) Subject to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power under this article even if the first-trust instrument permits the authorized fiduciary or another person to modify the first-trust instrument or to distribute part, or all of, the principal of the first trust to another trust.

(e) If a first-trust instrument contains an express prohibition described in subsection (a) of this section or an express restriction described in subsection (b) of this section, the provision must be included in the second-trust instrument.

§44D-8B-16. Change in compensation.

(a) If a first-trust instrument specifies an authorized fiduciary’s compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciary’s compensation above the specified compensation unless:

(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed record; or

(2) The increase is approved by the court.

(b) If a first-trust instrument does not specify an authorized fiduciary’s compensation, the fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to increase the fiduciary’s compensation above the compensation permitted by this chapter unless:

(1) All qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the increase in a signed record; or

(2) The increase is approved by the court.

(c) A change in an authorized fiduciary’s compensation which is incidental to other changes made by the exercise of the decanting power is not an increase in the fiduciary’s compensation for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

§44D-8B-17. Relief from liability and indemnification.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a second-trust instrument may not relieve an authorized fiduciary from liability for breach of trust to a greater extent than the first-trust instrument.

(b) A second-trust instrument may provide for indemnification of an authorized fiduciary of the first trust or another person acting in a fiduciary capacity under the first trust for any liability or claim that would have been payable from the first trust if the decanting power had not been exercised.

(c) A second-trust instrument may not reduce fiduciary liability in the aggregate.

(d) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a second-trust instrument may divide and reallocate fiduciary powers among fiduciaries, including one or more trustees, distribution advisors, investment advisors, trust protectors, or other persons, and relieve a fiduciary from liability for an act or failure to act of another fiduciary as permitted by law of this state other than this article.

§44D-8B-18. Removal or replacement of authorized fiduciary.

An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power to modify a provision in a first-trust instrument granting another person power to remove or replace the fiduciary unless:

(1) The person holding the power consents to the modification in a signed record and the modification applies only to the person;

(2) The person holding the power and the qualified beneficiaries of the second trust consent to the modification in a signed record and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person; or

(3) The court approves the modification and the modification grants a substantially similar power to another person.

§44D-8B-19. Tax-related limitations.

(a) In this section:

(1) “Grantor trust” means a trust as to which a grantor of a first trust is considered the owner under 26 U.S.C. §§671-677 or 26 U.S.C. §679.

(2) “Internal Revenue Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(3) “Nongrantor trust” means a trust that is not a grantor trust.

(4) “Qualified benefits property” means property subject to the minimum distribution requirements of 26 U.S.C. §401(a)(9), and any applicable regulations, or to any similar requirements that refer to 26 U.S.C. §401(a)(9) or the regulations.

(b) An exercise of the decanting power is subject to the following limitations:

(1) If a first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this article other than this section, for a marital deduction for purposes of the gift or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second-trust instrument must not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.

(2) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this article other than this section, for a charitable deduction for purposes of the income, gift, or estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code or a state income, gift, estate, or inheritance tax, the second-trust instrument must not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying for the deduction, or would have reduced the amount of the deduction, under the same provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or state law under which the transfer qualified.

(3) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this article other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in 26 U.S.C. §2503(b), the second-trust instrument must not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under 26 U.S.C. §2503(b). If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this article other than this section, for the exclusion from the gift tax described in 26 U.S.C. §2503(b) by application of 26 U.S.C. §2503(c), the second-trust instrument must not include or omit a term that, if included or omitted from the trust instrument for the trust to which the property was transferred, would have prevented the transfer from qualifying under 26 U.S.C. §2503(c).

(4) If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S corporation, as defined in 26 U.S.C. §1361 and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this article other than this section would be, a permitted shareholder under any provision of 26 U.S.C. §1361, an authorized fiduciary may exercise the power with respect to part or all of the S corporation stock only if any second trust receiving the stock is a permitted shareholder under 26 U.S.C. §1361(c)(2). If the property of the first trust includes shares of stock in an S corporation and the first trust is, or but for provisions of this article other than this section would be, a qualified subchapter-S trust within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. §1361(d), the second-trust instrument must not include or omit a term that prevents the second trust from qualifying as a qualified subchapter-S trust.

(5) If the first trust contains property that qualified, or would have qualified but for provisions of this article other than this section, for a zero inclusion ratio for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax under 26 U.S.C. §2642(c) the second-trust instrument must not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first-trust instrument, would have prevented the transfer to the first trust from qualifying for a zero inclusion ratio under 26 U.S.C. §2642(c).

(6) If the first trust is directly or indirectly the beneficiary of qualified benefits property, the second-trust instrument may not include or omit any term that, if included in or omitted from the first-trust instrument, would have increased the minimum distributions required with respect to the qualified benefits property under 26 U.S.C. §401(a)(9) and any applicable regulations, or any similar requirements that refer to 26 U.S.C. §401(a)(9) or the regulations. If an attempted exercise of the decanting power violates the preceding sentence, the trustee is determined to have held the qualified benefits property and any reinvested distributions of the property as a separate share from the date of the exercise of the power and §2201 applies to the separate share.

(7) If the first trust qualifies as a grantor trust because of the application of 26 U.S.C. §672(f)(2)(A), the second trust may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first-trust instrument, would have prevented the first trust from qualifying under 26 U.S.C. §672(f)(2)(A).

(8) In this subdivision, “tax benefit” means a federal or state tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, or other benefit not otherwise listed in this section, except for a benefit arising from being a grantor trust. Subject to subdivision (9) of this subsection, a second-trust instrument may not include or omit a term that, if included in or omitted from the first-trust instrument, would have prevented qualification for a tax benefit if:

(A) The first-trust instrument expressly indicates an intent to qualify for the benefit or the first-trust instrument clearly is designed to enable the first trust to qualify for the benefit; and

(B) The transfer of property held by the first trust or the first trust qualified, or but for provisions of this article other than this section, would have qualified for the tax benefit.

(9) Subject to subdivision (4) of this subsection:

(A) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (7) of this subsection, the second trust may be a nongrantor trust, even if the first trust is a grantor trust; and

(B) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (10) of this subsection, the second trust may be a grantor trust, even if the first trust is a nongrantor trust.

(10) An authorized fiduciary may not exercise the decanting power if a grantor objects in a signed record delivered to the fiduciary within the notice period and:

(A) The first trust and a second trust are both grantor trusts, in whole or in part, the first trust grants the grantor or another person the power to cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust, and the second trust does not grant an equivalent power to the grantor or other person; or

(B) The first trust is a nongrantor trust and a second trust is a grantor trust, in whole or in part, with respect to the grantor, unless:

(i) The grantor has the power at all times to cause the second trust to cease to be a grantor trust; or

(ii) The first-trust instrument contains a provision granting the grantor or another person a power that would cause the first trust to cease to be a grantor trust and the second-trust instrument contains the same provision.

§44D-8B-2. Definitions.

In addition to the definitions contained in §44D-1-103 of this code which apply to this article:

(1) "Appointive property" means the property or property interest subject to a power of appointment.

(2) "Authorized fiduciary" means:

(A) A trustee or other fiduciary, other than a grantor, that has discretion to distribute or direct a trustee to distribute part or all of the principal of the first trust to one or more current beneficiaries;

(B) A special fiduciary appointed under §44D-8B-9 of this code; or

(C) A special-needs fiduciary under §44D-8B-13 of this code.

(3) "Charitable interest" means an interest in a trust which:

(A) Is held by an identified charitable organization and makes the organization a qualified beneficiary;

(B) Benefits only charitable organizations and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary; or

(C) Is held solely for charitable purposes and, if the interest were held by an identified charitable organization, would make the organization a qualified beneficiary.

(4) "Charitable organization" means:

(A) A person, other than an individual, organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes; or

(B) A government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, to the extent it holds funds exclusively for a charitable purpose.

(5) "Charitable purpose" means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.

(6) "Decanting power" or "the decanting power" means the power of an authorized fiduciary under this article to distribute property of a first trust to one or more second trusts or to modify the terms of the first trust.

(7) "Expanded distributive discretion" means a discretionary power of distribution that is not limited to an ascertainable standard or a reasonably definite standard.

(8) "First trust" means a trust over which an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power.

(9) "First-trust instrument" means the trust instrument for a first trust.

(10) "General power of appointment" means a power of appointment exercisable in favor of a powerholder, the powerholder’s estate, a creditor of the powerholder, or a creditor of the powerholder's estate.

(11) "Power of appointment" means a power that enables a powerholder acting in a nonfiduciary capacity to designate a recipient of an ownership interest in or another power of appointment over the appointive property. The term does not include a power of attorney.

(12) "Powerholder" means a person in which a donor creates a power of appointment.

(13) "Presently exercisable power of appointment" means a power of appointment exercisable by the powerholder at the relevant time. The term:

(A) Includes a power of appointment exercisable only after:

(i) The occurrence of the specified event;

(ii) The satisfaction of the ascertainable standard; or

(iii) The passage of the specified time; and

(B) Does not include a power exercisable only at the powerholder’s death.

(14) "Reasonably definite standard" means a clearly measurable standard under which a holder of a power of distribution is legally accountable within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. §674(b)(5)(A) and any applicable regulations.

(15) "Second trust" means:

(A) A first trust after modification under this article; or

(B) A trust to which a distribution of property from a first trust is or may be made under this article.

(16) "Second-trust instrument" means the trust instrument for a second trust.

§44D-8B-20. Duration of second trust.

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a second trust may have a duration that is the same as or different from the duration of the first trust.

(b) To the extent that property of a second trust is attributable to property of the first trust, the property of the second trust is subject to any rules governing maximum perpetuity, accumulation, or suspension of the power of alienation which apply to property of the first trust.

§44D-8B-21. Need to distribute not required.

An authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power whether or not under the first trust’s discretionary distribution standard the fiduciary would have made or could have been compelled to make a discretionary distribution of principal at the time of the exercise.

§44D-8B-22. Saving provision.

(a) If exercise of the decanting power would be effective under this article except that the second-trust instrument in part does not comply with this article, the exercise of the power is effective and the following rules apply with respect to the principal of the second trust attributable to the exercise of the power:

(1) A provision in the second-trust instrument which is not permitted under this article is void to the extent necessary to comply with this article; and

(2) A provision required by this article to be in the second-trust instrument which is not contained in the instrument is considered to be included in the instrument to the extent necessary to comply with this article.

(b) If a trustee or other fiduciary of a second trust determines that subsection (a) of this section applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power, the fiduciary shall take corrective action consistent with the fiduciary’s duties.

§44D-8B-23. Trust for care of animal.

(a) In this section:

(1) “Animal trust” means a trust or an interest in a trust created to provide for the care of one or more animals.

(2) “Protector” means a person appointed in an animal trust to enforce the trust on behalf of the animal or, if no person is appointed in the trust, a person appointed by the court for that purpose.

(b) The decanting power may be exercised over an animal trust that has a protector to the extent the trust could be decanted under this article if each animal that benefits from the trust were an individual, if the protector consents in a signed record to the exercise of the power.

(c) A protector for an animal has the rights under this article of a qualified beneficiary.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, if a first trust is an animal trust, in an exercise of the decanting power, the second trust must provide that trust property may be applied only to its intended purpose for the period the first trust benefitted the animal.

§44D-8B-24. Terms of second trust.

Any reference in this chapter to a trust instrument or terms of the trust includes a second-trust instrument and the terms of the second trust.

§44D-8B-25. Grantor.

(a) For purposes of law of this state other than this article and subject to subsection (b) of this section, a grantor of a first trust is considered to be the grantor of the second trust with respect to the portion of the principal of the first trust subject to the exercise of the decanting power.

(b) In determining grantor intent with respect to a second trust, the intent of a grantor of the first trust, a grantor of the second trust, and the authorized fiduciary may be considered.

§44D-8B-26. Later-discovered property.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust and property paid to or acquired by the first trust after the exercise of the power is part of the trust estate of the second trust or trusts.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if exercise of the decanting power was intended to distribute less than all the principal of the first trust to one or more second trusts, later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power remains part of the trust estate of the first trust.

(c) An authorized fiduciary may provide in an exercise of the decanting power or by the terms of a second trust for disposition of later-discovered property belonging to the first trust or property paid to or acquired by the first trust after exercise of the power.

§44D-8B-27. Obligations.

A debt, liability, or other obligation enforceable against property of a first trust is enforceable to the same extent against the property when held by the second trust after exercise of the decanting power.

§44D-8B-28. Uniformity of application and construction.

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

§44D-8B-29. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

This article modifies, limits, or supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. §7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede Section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. §7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in §103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. §7003(b).

§44D-8B-3. Scope.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, this article applies to an express trust that is irrevocable or revocable by the grantor only with the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest.

(b) This article does not apply to a trust held solely for charitable purposes.

(c) Subject to §44D-8B-15 of this code, a trust instrument may restrict or prohibit exercise of the decanting power.

(d) This article does not limit the power of a trustee, powerholder, or other person to distribute or appoint property in further trust or to modify a trust under the trust instrument, law of this state other than this article, common law, a court order, or a nonjudicial settlement agreement.

(e) This article does not affect the ability of a grantor to provide in a trust instrument for the distribution of the trust property or appointment in further trust of the trust property or for modification of the trust instrument.

§44D-8B-30. Severability.

If any provision of this article or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this article are severable.

§44D-8B-31. Effective date.

This article takes effect on July 1, 2020.

§44D-8B-4. Fiduciary duty.

(a) In exercising the decanting power, an authorized fiduciary shall act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, including the duty to act in accordance with the purposes of the first trust.

(b) This article does not create or imply a duty to exercise the decanting power or to inform beneficiaries about the applicability of this article.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in a first-trust instrument, for purposes of this article and §44D-8-1 and §44D-8-2(a) of this code, the terms of the first trust are considered to include the decanting power.

§44D-8B-5. Application; governing law.

 

This article applies to a trust created before, on, or after the effective date of this article which:

(1) Has its principal place of administration in this state, including a trust whose principal place of administration has been changed to this state; or

(2) Provides by its trust instrument that it is governed by the law of this state or is governed by the law of this state for the purpose of:

(A) Administration, including administration of a trust whose governing law for purposes of administration has been changed to the law of this state;

(B) Construction of terms of the trust; or

(C) Determining the meaning or effect of terms of the trust.

§44D-8B-6. Reasonable reliance.

A trustee or other person that reasonably relies on the validity of a distribution of part or all of the property of a trust to another trust, or a modification of a trust, under this article, law of this state other than this article, or the law of another jurisdiction is not liable to any person for any action or failure to act as a result of the reliance.

§44D-8B-7. Notice; exercise of decanting power.

(a) In this section, a notice period begins on the day notice is given under subsection (c) of this section and ends 59 days after the day notice is given.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this article, an authorized fiduciary may exercise the decanting power without the consent of any person and without court approval.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f) of this section, an authorized fiduciary shall give notice in a record of the intended exercise of the decanting power not later than 60 days before the exercise to:

(1) Each grantor of the first trust, if living or then in existence;

(2) Each qualified beneficiary of the first trust;

(3) Each holder of a presently exercisable power of appointment over any part, or all of, the first trust;

(4) Each person that currently has the right to remove or replace the authorized fiduciary;

(5) Each other fiduciary of the first trust;

(6) Each fiduciary of the second trust; and

(7) The West Virginia Attorney General, if §44D-8B-14(b) of this code applies.

(d) An authorized fiduciary is not required to give notice under subsection (c) of this section to a person that is not known to the fiduciary.

(e) A notice under subsection (c) of this section must:

(1) Specify the manner in which the authorized fiduciary intends to exercise the decanting power;

(2) Specify the proposed effective date for exercise of the power;

(3) Include a copy of the first-trust instrument; and

(4) Include a copy of all second-trust instruments.

(f) The decanting power may be exercised before expiration of the notice period under subsection (a) of this section if all persons entitled to receive notice waive the period in a signed record.

(g) The receipt of notice, waiver of the notice period, or expiration of the notice period does not affect the right of a person to file an application under §44D-8B-9 of this code asserting that:

(1) An attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because it did not comply with this article or was an abuse of discretion or breach of fiduciary duty; or

(2) Section 44D-8B-22 of this code applies to the exercise of the decanting power.

(h) An exercise of the decanting power is not ineffective because of the failure to give notice to one or more persons under subsection (c) of this section if the authorized fiduciary acted with reasonable care to comply with that subsection.

§44D-8B-8. Representation.

(a) Notice to a person with authority to represent and bind another person under a first-trust instrument or the provisions of this chapter has the same effect as notice given directly to the person represented.

(b) Consent of or waiver by a person with authority to represent and bind another person under a first-trust instrument or the provisions of this chapter is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation before the consent or waiver otherwise would become effective.

(c) A person with authority to represent and bind another person under a first-trust instrument or the provisions of this chapter may file an application under §44D-8B-9 of this code on behalf of the person represented.

(d) A grantor may not represent or bind a beneficiary under this article.

§44D-8B-9. Court involvement.

(a) On application of an authorized fiduciary, a person entitled to notice under §44D-8B-7(c) of this code, a beneficiary, or with respect to a charitable interest any other person that has standing to enforce the charitable interest, the court may:

(1) Provide instructions to the authorized fiduciary regarding whether a proposed exercise of the decanting power is permitted under this article and consistent with the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary;

(2) Appoint a special fiduciary and authorize the special fiduciary to determine whether the decanting power should be exercised under this article and to exercise the decanting power;

(3) Approve an exercise of the decanting power;

(4) Determine that a proposed or attempted exercise of the decanting power is ineffective because:

(A) After applying §44D-8B-22 of this code, the proposed or attempted exercise does not, or did not, comply with this article; or

(B) The proposed or attempted exercise would be or was an abuse of the fiduciary’s discretion or a breach of fiduciary duty;

(5) Determine the extent to which §44D-8B-22 of this code applies to a prior exercise of the decanting power;

(6) Provide instructions to the trustee regarding the application of §44D-8B-22 of this code to a prior exercise of the decanting power; or

(7) Order other relief to carry out the purposes of this article.

(b) On application of an authorized fiduciary, the court may approve:

(1) An increase in the fiduciary’s compensation under §44D-8B-16 of this code; or

(2) A modification under §44D-8B-18 of this code of a provision granting a person the right to remove or replace the fiduciary.