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Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

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POWER TO CHANGE LIMITED POWER INTO A TAXABLE GENERAL POWER<br />

To minimize or eliminate the combined impact of all taxes imposed on any trust<br />

created hereunder or on a beneficiary thereof, or for such other purpose the <strong>Trust</strong>ee deems<br />

appropriate, the <strong>Trust</strong>ee may convert any limited testamentary power of appointment granted to any<br />

beneficiary under this Agreement to a general testamentary power of appointment by permitting the<br />

exercise of such power in favor of such beneficiary’s estate in addition to the permissible appointees<br />

under the provisions of this Agreement granting such power. Such conversion may be made with<br />

respect to the power of appointment over all or any portion of such beneficiary’s interest in any trust<br />

created hereunder. Such conversion, once made, shall be irrevocable and shall be final and binding<br />

upon all beneficiaries of any trust created hereunder. The <strong>Trust</strong>ee shall have no duty to inquire into<br />

the financial situation of any beneficiary to determine whether to exercise this power, and shall be<br />

relieved of all liability to any person for the failure to consider a conversion unless requested to do so<br />

in writing by a beneficiary.<br />

Comments<br />

For tax reasons it may be desirable for a beneficiary to have a taxable general power of appointment.<br />

For example, if the trust is subject to GST tax and the beneficiary has unused unified credit, the<br />

general power can reduce the transfer tax. Likewise the general power can result in a basis step up<br />

that would not otherwise be available.<br />

The <strong>Trust</strong>ee should be prohibited from exercising this power to convert any power that the <strong>Trust</strong>ee<br />

himself or herself holds.<br />

A trustee may be concerned that the existence of the power to convert imposes a duty to continually<br />

monitor the beneficiary’s situation (and potential liability for failing to do so). The final sentence<br />

relieves the trustee from this duty. A trustee determining to exercise (or not to exercise) the power to<br />

convert may seek protection for its action or inaction by court proceedings or releases.<br />

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