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A.R.S. § 14-7420

How Mineral and Natural Resource Income Is Allocated in a Trust

Verified April 4, 2026 • 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

When a trust holds interests in minerals, water, oil, gas, or other natural resources, Arizona law provides detailed rules for dividing receipts between principal and income. Most royalties and production income follow a ninety-ten split favoring principal, reflecting the fact that extracting these resources depletes a non-renewable asset.

Title 14, TRUST ADMINISTRATION

azleg.gov

The Ninety-Ten Split for Natural Resources

Natural resources are unique trust assets. Unlike stocks or bonds, extracting minerals or pumping water reduces what is left for future beneficiaries. Arizona accounts for this by directing the bulk of receipts to principal.

If an amount received as a royalty, shut-in-well payment, take-or-pay payment, bonus or delay rental is more than nominal, ninety per cent must be allocated to principal and the balance to income.

A.R.S. § 14-7420(A)(3)

The same ninety-ten split applies to receipts from working interests and other interests not specifically covered by the statute's other categories. Nominal delay rentals and nominal annual rent on a lease, however, go entirely to income.

Water Rights and Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Distinctions

Arizona's approach to water rights recognizes a practical reality. Renewable water sources, such as wells that replenish naturally, generate receipts that go entirely to income. Non-renewable water follows the same ninety-ten principal-income split as minerals.

The statute applies regardless of whether the person who created the trust was already extracting resources before the trust was established. For trusts that owned resource interests before this article took effect, the trustee has a choice: apply the new rules or continue the method used previously. Trusts that acquire resource interests after the effective date must follow the statutory allocation.

Production payments receive their own treatment. To the extent the agreement includes a factor for interest, that portion goes to income. The balance goes to principal.

14-7420. Minerals, water and other natural resources A. To the extent that a trustee accounts for receipts from an interest in minerals or other natural resources pursuant to this section, the trustee shall allocate them as follows: 1. If received as nominal delay rental or nominal annual rent on a lease, a receipt must be allocated to income. 2. If received from a production payment, a receipt must be allocated to income if and to the extent that the agreement creating the production payment provides a factor for interest or its equivalent. The balance must be allocated to principal. 3. If an amount received as a royalty, shut-in-well payment, take-or-pay payment, bonus or delay rental is more than nominal, ninety per cent must be allocated to principal and the balance to income. 4. If an amount is received from a working interest or any other interest not provided for in paragraph 1, 2 or 3, ninety per cent of the net amount received must be allocated to principal and the balance to income. B. An amount received on account of an interest in water that is renewable must be allocated to income. If the water is not renewable, ninety per cent of the amount must be allocated to principal and the balance to income. C. This article applies whether or not a decedent or donor was extracting minerals, water or other natural resources before the interest became subject to the trust. D. If a trust owns an interest in minerals, water or other natural resources on the effective date of this article, the trustee may allocate receipts from the interest as provided in this article or in the manner used by the trustee before the effective date of this article. If the trust acquires an interest in minerals, water or other natural resources after the effective date of this article, the trustee shall allocate receipts from the interest as provided in this article.
View on azleg.gov

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.

Related Questions

What does a trustee actually do?

A trustee manages trust assets according to the rules the trust creator set. While you are alive, you are typically both trustor and trustee. After you pass, your successor trustee distributes assets as instructed.

What is a Revocable Living Trust and how does it work?

A Revocable Living Trust lets you transfer asset ownership into a trust you control during your lifetime. When you pass, a successor trustee distributes assets to beneficiaries without probate.

How do I choose the right trustee for my estate?

Choose a trustee based on competence, not convenience. Avoid naming all children as co-trustees, which creates gridlock. Pick your most capable child as primary and name a backup.

Related Statutes

§ 14-7401Arizona Trust Principal and Income Act: Key Definitions
§ 14-7402Fiduciary Duties When Allocating Trust Income and Principal
§ 14-7403Trustee's Power to Adjust Between Principal and Income

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