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

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7. A trustee may delegate its duties and powers, but must exercise reasonable<br />

care, skill and caution in (a) selecting the agent; (b) establishing the scope and<br />

terms of the delegation; and (c) monitoring the actions of the agent.<br />

8. Powers to direct.<br />

a. While a trust is revocable, the settlor may direct the trustee.<br />

b. If the terms of the trust give others the power to direct the trustee, the<br />

trustee shall follow those directions unless manifestly contrary to the terms<br />

of the trust or the trustee knows the action would constitute a serious<br />

breach of fiduciary duty.<br />

c. A person, other than a beneficiary, who holds a power to direct is<br />

presumptively a fiduciary, who is required to act in good faith with regard<br />

to the purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries. The<br />

holder of a power to direct is liable for a breach of its fiduciary duties.<br />

9. A trustee must take reasonable steps to take control of and protect trust<br />

property.<br />

10. A trustee shall keep adequate records of trust property and shall keep trust<br />

property separate from the trustee’s other property.<br />

11. A trustee shall take reasonable steps to enforce claims and defend claims<br />

against the trust.<br />

12. A trustee shall take reasonable steps to collect trust property from a former<br />

trustee or other person. This includes actions to redress a breach of trust<br />

known to have been committed by a former trustee.<br />

13. A trustee has a duty to inform and report to the beneficiaries. This includes:<br />

a. A duty to keep qualified beneficiaries reasonably informed.<br />

b. A trustee shall provide all beneficiaries with a copy of the trust instrument<br />

upon request.<br />

c. A trustee shall notify all qualified beneficiaries of the trustee’s acceptance<br />

of the duties of trustee within 60 days of acceptance.<br />

d. Once a trust becomes irrevocable, the trustee shall notify the qualified<br />

beneficiaries of the existence of the trust, the name of the settlor, the right<br />

to request a copy of the trust instrument, and the right to request copies of<br />

trust accountings.<br />

10

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