2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 18-B: TRUSTS › Part 1: MAINE UNIFORM TRUST CODE › Chapter 6: REVOCABLE TRUSTS › 18-B §602. Revocation or amendment of revocable trust

§602. Revocation or amendment of revocable trust
1.  Revocable unless expressly provided.
Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide that the trust is irrevocable, the settlor may revoke or amend the trust. This subsection does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before July 1, 2005.
[PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
2.  Revocable trust with more than one settlor.
If a revocable trust is created or funded by more than one settlor:
A. To the extent the trust consists of community property, the trust may be revoked by either spouse acting alone but may be amended only by joint action of both spouses;   [PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
B. To the extent the trust consists of property other than community property, each settlor may revoke or amend the trust with regard to the portion of the trust property attributable to that settlor's contribution; and   [PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
C. Upon the revocation or amendment of the trust by fewer than all of the settlors, the trustee shall notify the other settlors of the revocation or amendment.   [PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
[PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
3.  Revoke or amend.
The settlor may revoke or amend a revocable trust:
A. By substantial compliance with a method provided in the terms of the trust; or   [PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
B. If the terms of the trust do not provide a method or the method provided in the terms is not expressly made exclusive, by:
(1) A later will or codicil that expressly refers to the trust or specifically devises property that would otherwise have passed according to the terms of the trust; or
(2) Any other method manifesting clear and convincing evidence of the settlor's intent.   [PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
[PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
4.  Delivery of property after revocation.
Upon revocation of a revocable trust, the trustee shall deliver the trust property as the settlor directs.
[PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
5.  Agent expressly authorized.
A settlor's powers with respect to revocation, amendment or distribution of trust property may be exercised by an agent under a power of attorney only to the extent expressly authorized by the terms of the trust or the power.
[PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
6.  Conservator or guardian of settlor.
A conservator of the settlor or, if no conservator has been appointed, a guardian of the settlor may exercise a settlor's powers with respect to revocation, amendment or distribution of trust property only with the approval of the court supervising the conservatorship or guardianship.
[PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
7.  Trustee without knowledge of revocation or amendment.
A trustee who does not know that a trust has been revoked or amended is not liable to the settlor or settlor's successors in interest for distributions made and other actions taken on the assumption that the trust had not been amended or revoked.
[PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 618, Pt. A, §2 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 618, §A1 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 618, §A2 (AFF).