Loyalty Means No Self-Dealing
The duty of loyalty is one of the most important obligations a trustee carries. At its core, the rule is straightforward: the trustee manages trust property for the beneficiaries, not for personal gain. Any transaction involving the trustee's own interests creates a conflict, and Arizona law treats those transactions as voidable.
A trustee shall administer the trust solely in the interests of the beneficiaries.
A.R.S. § 14-10802(A)Self-dealing covers more ground than most people expect. Selling trust property to yourself, buying assets from the trust at a discount, or using trust funds for personal expenses all violate this duty. The statute also presumes a conflict when the trustee transacts with a spouse, parent, sibling, descendant, agent, or attorney.
When Conflicted Transactions Are Allowed
Not every conflict automatically voids a transaction. Arizona law recognizes several exceptions. The trust document itself may authorize certain transactions. A court can approve them. And a beneficiary who fully understands the situation can consent or ratify the trustee's action.
A sale, encumbrance or other transaction involving the investment or management of trust property entered into by the trustee for the trustee's own personal account or that is otherwise affected by a conflict between the trustee's fiduciary and personal interests is voidable by a beneficiary affected by the transaction.
A.R.S. § 14-10802(B)The statute also permits fair transactions like reasonable trustee compensation, deposits in a financial institution the trustee operates, and advances the trustee makes to protect the trust. The key word is "fair." If a transaction benefits the trustee at the beneficiaries' expense, it fails the loyalty test.
