Barnard v. United States National Bank
Barnard v. United States National Bank
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal from a circuit court decision which found that the trustee of the Charles M. Barnard Testamentary Trust did not abuse its discretion in determining the sums of money to be paid to Mrs. Charles Barnard, the trust’s lifetime beneficiary. Plaintiff contends the trial court erred in its determination.
From October 6, 1966, until November 30, 1969, plaintiff received $18,000 in payments from the trustee. Her expenses for the same period, partially due to extensive travel, Avere approximately $50,000. In late 1969, she requested reimbursement of the difference between the money received and her expenses, and that her monthly allowance be increased to $1500. The trustee denied these requests, but did increase her monthly alloAvance to $550 per month as of February 1970.
We agree Avith the trial court that the trustee has not abused its discretion under the terms of the trust. The relevant portions read:
“(a) During the lifetimes of my wife, MAB*611 GARET S. BARNARD and my mother, CORA N. BARNARD, or either of them, I direct my Trustee to pay to them or the survivor of them, such sums from the income and principal of the trust estate as my Trustee shall deem necessary or advisable for their support and maintenance.
«ft ft ft ft ft
“(d) In making the payments committed to its discretion to or for the benefit of any beneficiary pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section, my Trustee shall take into consideration any other income or support received, or property possessed by such beneficiary and known to my Trustee; but the extent to which such other income, support or property must first be used or liquidated by such beneficiary, shall be in the absolute discretion of my Trustee.”
The provisions of the trust document give great latitude to the trustee, not to the lifetime beneficiary to determine what stuns are “necessary and advisable * * Further, provision 111(d) specifically directs that other assets and income of the lifetime beneficiary “shall” be taken into account at the absolute discretion of the trustee in making this determination.
Plaintiff’s contention that there have been abuses, first by the trustee’s failure to sufficiently inquire into her needs and expenses, and then by denying her the sums requested, is refuted by the record.
In Rowe v. Rowe et al, 219 Or 599, 604, 347 P2d 968 (1959), the Supreme Court held:
“# * * [A] settlor may create a valid trust which vests in the trustee the discretion to pay or apply only so much of the income or principal as the trustee sees fit. 2 Scott on Trusts (2d ed) §§ 128.3 and 155; 3 Bogert, Trusts and Trustees, § 560. The standard in such case is not a specific one, such as the beneficiaries’ need, but is rather, a general standard of reasonableness in exercising the discretion granted to him * * *.
# # ?
The court will not interfere if the trustee acts within The bounds of a reasonable judgment.’ 2 Scott on Trusts, § 187, p 1375. What these bounds are will vary with the terms and purposes of the trust and the circumstances of each case * *
Under the circumstances here, there has been no abuse.
Affirmed.
The remainder beneficiary is the City of Eugene Century of Progress Fund. Section 111(b) of the trust directs the trustee to turn the remaining trust estate over to this Fund for additional library and/or swimming facilities in Eugene.
Under some circumstances, where the trustee fails to use his judgment, there may be an abuse. See, 3 Scott, Trusts 1518, § 187.3 (3d ed 1967).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.