The Ways a Trust Can End
A trust does not last forever by default. Arizona recognizes multiple ways a trust can terminate: the settlor revokes it, the trust expires on its own terms, the trust's purpose has been fully achieved, or the purpose has become unlawful, contrary to public policy, or impossible to accomplish.
A trust terminates to the extent the trust is revoked or expires pursuant to its terms, no purpose of the trust remains to be achieved or the purposes of the trust have become unlawful, contrary to public policy or impossible to achieve.
A.R.S. § 14-10410(A)This statute also serves as a roadmap, pointing to sections 14-10411 through 14-10414 for additional methods. Those sections cover termination by consent of beneficiaries, modification due to unanticipated circumstances, and the cy pres doctrine for charitable trusts.
Who Can Start the Process
Either a trustee or a beneficiary can file a proceeding to approve or disapprove a proposed modification or termination. For charitable trusts, the settlor can also bring a proceeding to modify the trust under the cy pres doctrine (A.R.S. 14-10413).
A proceeding to approve or disapprove a proposed modification or termination under sections 14-10411, 14-10412, 14-10413, 14-10414, 14-10415 and 14-10416, or trust combination or division under section 14-10417, may be commenced by a trustee or beneficiary.
A.R.S. § 14-10410(B)This means you do not need to wait for a crisis to address a trust that no longer serves its original purpose. If circumstances have changed, the law provides a structured way to adapt.
