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A.R.S. § 14-10103

Key Definitions in the Trust Code

Verified April 4, 202657th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

This statute defines 22 key terms used in the Trust Code. These include 'beneficiary,' 'settlor,' 'qualified beneficiary,' and 'spendthrift rule.' Each term shapes who has rights, duties, and standing.

Title 14, ARIZONA TRUST CODE

azleg.gov

The Terms That Shape Trust Law

In trust law, a single defined term can decide who gets notice or who may challenge a trustee. This statute sets the vocabulary for the entire Trust Code.

These terms apply to revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and every trust document the code governs.

"Settlor" means a person, including a testator, who creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to that person's contribution except to the extent another person has the power to revoke or withdraw that portion.

A.R.S. § 14-10103(16)

The "settlor" definition is key. It tells us who created the trust. When more than one person adds property, each person controls their own portion.

This matters for taxes and for deciding who can revoke or amend the trust. A personal representative managing an estate with a trust must know this term.

Qualified Beneficiary: A Critical Distinction

Not every person who may one day benefit from a trust counts as a "qualified beneficiary." The statute names three groups that qualify.

"Qualified beneficiary" means a beneficiary who, on the date the beneficiary's qualification is determined: (a) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. (b) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in subdivision (a) of this paragraph terminated on that date. (c) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date.

A.R.S. § 14-10103(14)

Qualified beneficiaries hold specific rights under the Trust Code. For example, they can demand notices and accountings from the trustee.

A trustee who fails to share required information risks a breach of duty claim. Knowing who qualifies is the first step.

The trust document names the beneficiaries. This statute then decides which of them hold legal rights to information from the trustee.

14-10103. Definitions In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Action", with respect to an act of a trustee, includes a failure to act. 2. "Beneficiary" means a person who either: (a) Has a present or future beneficial interest in a trust, vested or contingent. (b) In a capacity other than that of a trustee, holds a power of appointment over trust property. 3. "Charitable trust" means a trust, or portion of a trust, created for a charitable purpose described in section 14-10405, subsection A. 4. "Conservator" means a person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a minor or an adult. 5. "Distributee" means a person who receives property from a trust other than as a creditor or purchaser. 6. "Environmental law" means a federal, state or local law, rule, regulation or ordinance relating to protection of the environment. 7. "Guardian" means a person appointed by the court to make decisions regarding the support, care, education, health and welfare of a minor or an adult. Guardian does not include a guardian ad litem. 8. "Interests of the beneficiaries" means the beneficial interests provided in the terms of the trust. 9. "Internal revenue code" has the same meaning prescribed in section 43-105. 10. "Jurisdiction", with respect to a geographic area, includes a state or country. 11. "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality, public corporation or any other legal or commercial entity. 12. "Power of withdrawal" means a presently exercisable general power of appointment other than a power exercisable either: (a) By a trustee and limited by an ascertainable standard. (b) By a person other than in a fiduciary capacity and only on the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest. 13. "Property" means anything that may be the subject of ownership, whether real or personal, legal or equitable, or any interest therein. 14. "Qualified beneficiary" means a beneficiary who, on the date the beneficiary's qualification is determined: (a) Is a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal. (b) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the interests of the distributees described in subdivision (a) of this paragraph terminated on that date without causing the trust to terminate. (c) Would be a distributee or permissible distributee of trust income or principal if the trust terminated on that date. 15. "Revocable", as applied to a trust, means revocable by the settlor without the consent of the trustee or a person holding an adverse interest. 16. "Settlor" means a person, including a testator, who creates or contributes property to a trust. If more than one person creates or contributes property to a trust, each person is a settlor of the portion of the trust property attributable to that person's contribution except to the extent another person has the power to revoke or withdraw that portion. 17. "Spendthrift provision" means a term of a trust that restrains both voluntary and involuntary transfer of a beneficiary's interest. 18-22. [Additional definitions for terms of a trust, trust instrument, trustee, and other defined terms.]

This page provides general legal information about Arizona statutes and is not legal advice. For guidance on how this law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

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