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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7705 (2026)

 Trust controls; mandatory rules - UTC 105.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 7705.  Trust controls; mandatory rules - UTC 105.

(a)  Trust controls.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the terms of a trust prevail over any contrary provisions of this chapter.

(b)  Mandatory rules.--Notwithstanding a contrary provision in the terms of the trust, the following rules apply:

(1)  The requirements for creating a trust set forth in section 7732 (relating to requirements for creation - UTC 402).

(2)  Subject to sections 7780.20 (relating to duty and liability of directed trustee - UDTA 9), 7780.22 (relating to no duty to monitor, inform or advise - UDTA 11) and 7780.23 (relating to application of cotrustee - UDTA 12), the duty of a trustee to act in good faith and in accordance with the terms and purposes of the trust as set forth in section 7771 (relating to duty to administer trust - UTC 801).

(3)  The requirement in section 7734 (relating to trust purposes - UTC 404) that a trust's purpose be lawful and not contrary to public policy.

(4)  The power of the court to modify or terminate a trust under sections 7740 (relating to termination of trusts; proceedings for termination or modification of trusts - UTC 410) through 7740.6 (relating to modification to achieve settlor's tax objectives - UTC 416).

(5)  The effect of a spendthrift provision and the rights of certain creditors and assignees to reach a trust as provided in Subchapter E (relating to creditor's claims; spendthrift and discretionary trusts).

(6)  The power of the court under section 7762 (relating to trustee's bond - UTC 702).

(7)  The power of the court under section 7768(b) (relating to compensation of trustee - UTC 708) to adjust a trustee's compensation specified in the terms of the trust.

(8)  The duty of a trustee under section 7780.3 (relating to duty to inform and report).

(9)  (Reserved).

(10)  The effect of an exculpatory term under section 7788 (relating to exculpation of trustee - UTC 1008).

(11)  The rights under sections 7790 (relating to limitation on personal liability of trustee - UTC 1010) through 7790.3 (relating to certification of trust - UTC 1013) of a person other than a trustee or beneficiary.

(12)  Periods of limitation for commencing a judicial proceeding.

(13)  The power of the court to take action and exercise jurisdiction as may be necessary in the interests of justice.

(14)  The subject matter jurisdiction of the court described in Chapter 7 (relating to orphans' court divisions) and venue for commencing a proceeding as provided in section 7714 (relating to venue - UTC 204).

(July 15, 2024, P.L.786, No.64, eff. 90 days)

 

2024 Amendment.  Act 64 amended the section heading and subsecs. (a) and (b) intro. par., (2) and (7). See section 11 of Act 64 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to Uniform Trust Code.

Cross References.  Section 7705 is referred to in section 7707 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2010–2024 · leading case: In Re Est. of Warden, 2 A.3d 565 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010).
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In Re Est. of Warden, 2 A.3d 565 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010). · cites it 3× “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a) (“Except as provided in subsection (b) [listing certain mandatory rules], the provisions of a trust instrument prevail over any contrary provisions of [Pennsylvania law].”
Vincent J. Fumo Irrevocable Child.'s Trust Ex Rel. Benefit of Fumo, 104 A.3d 535 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). · cites it 2× “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a)69 (‘Except as provided 69 Section 7705 is part the Uniform Trust Code (“UTC”), which Pennsylvania codified in 2006.”
In Re: Rosemary C. Ford Inter Vivos Qtip Trust, 176 A.3d 992 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “the Trust are subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, 20 Pa. C.S. § 7705, and an examination of the Ford Trust Agreement discloses that Rosemary has no current rights as a beneficiary to compel production of income from the East Mermaid Properties.”
In Re: Dille Fam. Trust, Appeal of: Williams, L. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). · cites it 3× “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a). There are a number of mandatory rules, however, that the trust instrument must bend to, including “[t]he power of the court to take action and exercise jurisdiction as may be necessary in the interests of justice.”
In Re: Chen, A., Trust No. 1, Appeal of: Chen, A. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a). The trusts provide in pertinent part: The Trustees of such Trust shall have and may exercise the following powers: .”
Nowicki, F. v. Righter, K. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “2017) (citing 20 Pa.C.S. § 7705).4 Our Supreme Court has previously explained that “[i]f there are several [co-]trustees, one or more of them can maintain a suit against another to compel him to perform his duties under the trust, or to enjoin him from committing a breach of…”
In re: Atwater Kent Museum ~ Appeal of: The Historical Soc'y of PA (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a)-(b). Finally, during this appeal, the Act was amended but no party requested permission to address the import of the amendments.”
In re Educ. Trust for the Benefit of Chambers, 2014 Phila. Ct. Com. Pl. LEXIS 237 (2014). “20 Pa. C.S. §7705(a). Our Superior Court has held that the court: “must give effect to every word and clause where reasonably possible so as not to render any provision nugatory or mere surplusage.”
In re Taylor Intervivos Trust, 40 Pa. D. & C.5th 381 (2014). “” 20 Pa.C.S. §7705, Uniform Law Comment. The adoption of the UTC by the Pennsylvania legislature signified an effort to modernize trust law while providing a structure and guidance for courts.”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7705(a) — 6 cases
In Re Est. of Warden, 2 A.3d 565 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a) (“Except as provided in subsection (b) [listing certain mandatory rules], the provisions of a trust instrument prevail over any contrary provisions of [Pennsylvania law].”
Vincent J. Fumo Irrevocable Child.'s Trust Ex Rel. Benefit of Fumo, 104 A.3d 535 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a)69 (‘Except as provided 69 Section 7705 is part the Uniform Trust Code (“UTC”), which Pennsylvania codified in 2006.”
In Re: Dille Fam. Trust, Appeal of: Williams, L. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a). There are a number of mandatory rules, however, that the trust instrument must bend to, including “[t]he power of the court to take action and exercise jurisdiction as may be necessary in the interests of justice.”
In Re: Chen, A., Trust No. 1, Appeal of: Chen, A. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a). The trusts provide in pertinent part: The Trustees of such Trust shall have and may exercise the following powers: .”
In re: Atwater Kent Museum ~ Appeal of: The Historical Soc'y of PA (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a)-(b). Finally, during this appeal, the Act was amended but no party requested permission to address the import of the amendments.”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7705(b)(13) — 1 case
In Re: Dille Fam. Trust, Appeal of: Williams, L. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 7705(a). There are a number of mandatory rules, however, that the trust instrument must bend to, including “[t]he power of the court to take action and exercise jurisdiction as may be necessary in the interests of justice.”
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