Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7732 (2026)

 Requirements for creation - UTC 402.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 7732.  Requirements for creation - UTC 402.

(a)  Requirements.--A trust is created only if:

(1)  the settlor has capacity to create a trust;

(2)  the settlor signs a writing that indicates an intention to create the trust and contains provisions of the trust;

(3)  the trust has a definite beneficiary or is:

(i)  a charitable trust;

(ii)  a trust for the care of an animal, as provided in section 7738 (relating to trust for care of animal - UTC 408); or

(iii)  a trust for a noncharitable purpose, as provided in section 7739 (relating to noncharitable trust without ascertainable beneficiary - UTC 409);

(4)  the trustee has duties to perform; and

(5)  the same person is not the sole trustee and sole beneficiary of the trust.

(b)  (Reserved).

(b.1)  Signature by mark or another.--A trust instrument other than a will may be signed by mark or by a person other than the settlor on behalf of and at the direction of the settlor in the same manner as a power of attorney under Chapter 56 (relating to powers of attorney).

(c)  Power to select beneficiary from indefinite class.--A power in a trustee to select a beneficiary from an indefinite class is valid. If the power with respect to a noncharitable trust is not exercised within a reasonable time, the power fails and the property subject to the power passes to the persons who would have taken the property had the power not been conferred.

(d)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term "definite beneficiary" means a beneficiary that can be ascertained now or in the future, subject to any applicable rule against perpetuities.

 

Cross References.  Section 7732 is referred to in sections 7705, 7731 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2009–2024 · leading case: Est. of Robert H. Agnew v. Ross, D., 152 A.3d 247 (Pa. 2017).
Est. of Robert H. Agnew v. Ross, D., 152 A.3d 247 (Pa. 2017). · cites it 2× “” 20 Pa.C.S. §7732(a)(2). Likewise, the Probate Code requires every will must be in writing and signed by the testator at the end of the will.”
In Re Est. of Stephano, 981 A.2d 138 (Pa. 2009). · cites it 4× “20 Pa.C.S. § 7732. Importantly, trusts are "created only if the trustee has duties" towards third parties.”
Welch v. Crow, 2009 OK 20 (Okla. 2009). · cites it 2× “155 (2009); 20 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 7732 (2009); Tenn.”
Trust Under Deed of Walter G, Appeal of:Garrison,M, 302 A.3d 129 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). · cites it 2× “at ¶ 8 (citing 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732 (codifying the basic requirements for the creation of a trust)).”
In re Found. for Anglican Christian Tradition, 103 A.3d 425 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2014). · cites it 2× “” Section 7732(a)(2) of the Act, 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a)(2). Indeed, “[o]ral trusts are unenforceable in this Commonwealth.”
Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church v. Washington Presbytery, 90 A.3d 95 (2014). · cites it 4× “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732. The comments to Section 7732 state simply that this Section “codifies the basic requirements for the creation of a trust.”
Straban Twp. v. Hanoverian Trust, H. Becker, Tr. (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2016). · cites it 4× “20 Pa. C.S. §7732(a) (emphasis added). 3 address the Township’s motion to compel the appointment of counsel for the Hanoverian Trust.”
In Re: Passarelli Fam. Trust (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a). These requirements were met in the creation of the irrevocable trust at issue, and neither party disputes these facts.”
H. Becker v. DEP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2017). “We determined that because Becker was the sole beneficiary and trustee of that purported trust, he did not create a valid trust pursuant to Section 7732(a)(5) of the Uniform Trust Act, 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a)(5), and could represent the purported “trust” pro se.”
Est. & Trust of Edward E. Clawson (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “Disregarding the text of a trust agreement invites fraud, which the statutory requirements that a trust be written and signed by the trustor, see 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 7732, 7737, seek to prevent.”
Cnty. of Delaware v. Delaware Cnty. Reg'l Water Quality Control Auth. v. Darby Creek Jt. Auth. ~ Appeal of: Cnty. of Delaware (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). “§ 5612, by creating the Trust and transferring its assets to the Trust (Count III); (4) DELCORA violated Sections 7732 and 7734 of the Uniform Trust Act (UTA), 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 7732, 7734, by creating the Trust (Count IV); and (5) a request for writ of mandamus compelling DELCORA’s…”
Trust Under Will of Ashton, A.; Apl of: Reed, E. (Pa. 2021). “17 See 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a)(5) (“A trust is created only if .”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7732(a) — 2 cases
Straban Twp. v. Hanoverian Trust, H. Becker, Tr. (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2016). “20 Pa. C.S. §7732(a) (emphasis added). 3 address the Township’s motion to compel the appointment of counsel for the Hanoverian Trust.”
In Re: Passarelli Fam. Trust (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a). These requirements were met in the creation of the irrevocable trust at issue, and neither party disputes these facts.”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7732(a)(2) — 3 cases
Est. of Robert H. Agnew v. Ross, D., 152 A.3d 247 (Pa. 2017). “” 20 Pa.C.S. §7732(a)(2). Likewise, the Probate Code requires every will must be in writing and signed by the testator at the end of the will.”
In re Found. for Anglican Christian Tradition, 103 A.3d 425 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2014). “” Section 7732(a)(2) of the Act, 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a)(2). Indeed, “[o]ral trusts are unenforceable in this Commonwealth.”
Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church v. Washington Presbytery, 90 A.3d 95 (2014). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732. The comments to Section 7732 state simply that this Section “codifies the basic requirements for the creation of a trust.”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7732(a)(4) — 1 case
Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church v. Washington Presbytery, 90 A.3d 95 (2014). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732. The comments to Section 7732 state simply that this Section “codifies the basic requirements for the creation of a trust.”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7732(a)(5) — 3 cases
Straban Twp. v. Hanoverian Trust, H. Becker, Tr. (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2016). “20 Pa. C.S. §7732(a) (emphasis added). 3 address the Township’s motion to compel the appointment of counsel for the Hanoverian Trust.”
H. Becker v. DEP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2017). “We determined that because Becker was the sole beneficiary and trustee of that purported trust, he did not create a valid trust pursuant to Section 7732(a)(5) of the Uniform Trust Act, 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a)(5), and could represent the purported “trust” pro se.”
Trust Under Will of Ashton, A.; Apl of: Reed, E. (Pa. 2021). “17 See 20 Pa.C.S. § 7732(a)(5) (“A trust is created only if .”
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