Virginia Law

A. In the exercise of any power held by a private trust company in its capacity as a fiduciary, the private trust company shall have a duty not to exercise any power in such a way as to deprive the estate, trust, or other entity for which it acts as a fiduciary of an otherwise available tax exemption, deduction, or credit for tax purposes or deprive a donor of trust assets of a tax exemption, deduction, or credit or operate to impose a tax upon a donor or other person as owner of any portion of the estate, trust, or otherwise.

B. Without limitation to subsection A, no family member who is a stockholder or member or who otherwise holds an equity interest in, or is serving as a director, officer, manager, or employee of, a private trust company shall participate in or otherwise have a voice in any discretionary decision by the private trust company to distribute income or principal of any trust in order to discharge a legal obligation of the family member or for the family member's pecuniary benefit, unless:

1. The exercise of the discretion is limited by an ascertainable standard relating to the health, education, support, or maintenance of that family member;

2. The distribution is necessary for that family member's support, health, or education; or

3. The instrument governing the administration of that trust clearly so provides.

2003, c. 910, § 6.1-32.30:7; 2010, c. 794.