Delaware Code

12 Del. C. § 3546 (2026)

Limitation on action contesting validity of trusts [For application of this section, see 80 Del. Laws, c. 153, § 5]

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a) A judicial proceeding to contest whether a revocable trust or any amendment thereto, or an irrevocable trust was validly created may not be initiated later than the first to occur of:

(1) One hundred twenty days after the date that the trustee notified in writing the person who is contesting the trust of the trust’s existence, of the trustee’s name and address, of whether such person is a beneficiary, and of the time allowed under this section for initiating a judicial proceeding to contest the trust provided, however, that no trustee shall have any liability under the governing instrument or to any third party or otherwise for failure to provide any such written notice. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(1), notice shall have been given when sent to the person to whom the notice was given. Absent evidence to the contrary, it shall be presumed that notice was received by the person 7 days after it was sent to such person in accordance with § 3534 of this title;

(2) Two years after the trustor’s death;

(3) If the trust was revocable at the trustor’s death and the trust was specifically referred to in the trustor’s last will, the time in which a petition for review of a will could be filed under this title; or

(4) The date the person’s right to contest was precluded by adjudication, consent or other limitation.

(b) Upon the death of the trustor of a trust that was revocable at the time of the trustor’s death, the trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust. This distribution may be made without liability unless the trustee has actual knowledge of a pending judicial proceeding to contest the validity of the trust, or is notified by a potential contestant of a possible contest, followed by its initiation within 30 days of such notice.

(c) Until a contest is barred under subsection (a) of this section, a beneficiary of what later turns out to have been an invalid trust is liable to return any distribution received.

(d) For purposes of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a person is deemed to have been given any notice that has been given to any other person who under § 3547 of this title may represent and bind such person.

72 Del. Laws, c. 388, §  274 Del. Laws, c. 81, §  575 Del. Laws, c. 97, §  778 Del. Laws, c. 117, §  979 Del. Laws, c. 197, §  280 Del. Laws, c. 153, §  481 Del. Laws, c. 149, § 283 Del. Laws, c. 343, § 4
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2014–2025 · leading case: In the Matter of the Helene Eicoff Barrington Living Trust U/A/D June 29, 2015, as amended (Del. Ch. 2024).
In the Matter of the Helene Eicoff Barrington Living Trust U/A/D June 29, 2015, as amended (Del. Ch. 2024). · cites it 7× “2020-0782-PAF December 13, 2024 Page 8 of 28 Florida Living Trust Action, Leanne filed a duplicative action in this court to preserve her rights under 12 Del. C. § 3546 (the “Delaware Living Trust Action”).”
Amy Knapp Rumford v. Leslie Gay Knapp Marini (Del. Ch. 2021). · cites it 6× “2 They argue that Rumford’s claim contesting the validity of Joan’s execution of the Joint Trust is time-barred by 12 Del. C. §3546 (“§3546”) and laches, and any challenge to the 2014 Will, and to the deed (“2014 Deed”) transferring property located in Nassau, Delaware (“New…”
Scott Burd v. Tracy Burd Elliman (Del. Ch. 2025). · cites it 4× “76 Similarly, under 12 Del. C. § 3546, a revocable trust may also be validated before the death of the trustor.”
Tina Renee Rambo v. Kimberly S. Fischer (Del. Ch. 2022). · cites it 2× “”66 Under 12 Del. C. § 3546, there is a limit on when a trust or an amendment to a trust can be challenged.”
IMO Restatement of Declaration of Trust Creating the Survivor's Trust Created Under the Ravet Fam. Trust (Del. Ch. 2014). · cites it 3× “First, the Petitioner contends that in interpreting 12 Del. C. § 3546, I erred by “giving the Co-trustees the benefit of the statute’s presumption of receipt even though the Co- trustees had no evidence to prove that their alleged first class mailings were actually delivered to…”
IMO Est. & Trust of James Kalil, Sr. Kalil v. Kalil (Del. Ch. 2018). “Pursuant to 12 Del. C. § 3546, a challenge to the 1997 Trust as amended, which was specifically referred to in Settlor’s will, must have been brought “in the time in which a petition for review of a will could be filed.”
— 12 Del. C. § 3546(1) — 1 case
Scott Burd v. Tracy Burd Elliman (Del. Ch. 2025). “76 Similarly, under 12 Del. C. § 3546, a revocable trust may also be validated before the death of the trustor.”
— 12 Del. C. § 3546(a) — 2 cases
IMO Restatement of Declaration of Trust Creating the Survivor's Trust Created Under the Ravet Fam. Trust (Del. Ch. 2014). “First, the Petitioner contends that in interpreting 12 Del. C. § 3546, I erred by “giving the Co-trustees the benefit of the statute’s presumption of receipt even though the Co- trustees had no evidence to prove that their alleged first class mailings were actually delivered to…”
Tina Renee Rambo v. Kimberly S. Fischer (Del. Ch. 2022). “”66 Under 12 Del. C. § 3546, there is a limit on when a trust or an amendment to a trust can be challenged.”
— 12 Del. C. § 3546(a)(1) — 2 cases
In the Matter of the Helene Eicoff Barrington Living Trust U/A/D June 29, 2015, as amended (Del. Ch. 2024). “2020-0782-PAF December 13, 2024 Page 8 of 28 Florida Living Trust Action, Leanne filed a duplicative action in this court to preserve her rights under 12 Del. C. § 3546 (the “Delaware Living Trust Action”).”
Scott Burd v. Tracy Burd Elliman (Del. Ch. 2025). “76 Similarly, under 12 Del. C. § 3546, a revocable trust may also be validated before the death of the trustor.”
— 12 Del. C. § 3546(a)(2) — 1 case
Amy Knapp Rumford v. Leslie Gay Knapp Marini (Del. Ch. 2021). “2 They argue that Rumford’s claim contesting the validity of Joan’s execution of the Joint Trust is time-barred by 12 Del. C. §3546 (“§3546”) and laches, and any challenge to the 2014 Will, and to the deed (“2014 Deed”) transferring property located in Nassau, Delaware (“New…”
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