holding that only guardians appointed under Massachusetts law have power to revoke ward’s revocable trust
How later courts described this case
- holding that only guardians appointed under Massachusetts law have power to revoke ward’s revocable trust
- "See Am. Law of Property, s. 23.4, pp. 467-468, referring to a donee of a general power, 'Although technically he has no title to the property until he exercises the power, he can obtain the title, and thereafter enjoy all the benefits of ownership, simply by going through a mere formality. In order to enjoy the property he has but to reach for it.’ ”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
Armstrong, J.
This petition for instructions was brought by the trustee of two revocable inter vivos trusts located in Massachusetts and expressly made subject to administration in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts. The settlor, who was a Florida domiciliary, was declared incompetent by a Florida court, which appointed a Florida guardian, and which directed the guardian to “do such acts or execute such documents as may be necessary” to exercise the settlor’s power to revoke. The Florida guardian by letter to the trustee purported to revoke the trusts. The trustee replied that the guardian should seek appointment as guardian in Massachusetts under G. L. c. 201, § 30. The Florida guardian instead began a proceeding under G. L. c. 204, § 3, for a license to receive the trust property, but the settlor died before that proceeding concluded. The rival claimants are beneficiaries under the settlor’s will, who contend that the letter of revocation had the effect of terminating the trusts, and beneficiaries under the trusts, who contend that the revocation by the Florida guardian was of no legal effect. We are of the opinion that the purported revocation was of no effect. Whatever power a guardian might have had to revoke these trusts must derive from G. L. c. 201, § 45. Parry v. Parry, 316 Mass. 692, 695-696 (1944). The Florida guardian could derive no authority from § 45 until he had been appointed guardian under G. L. c. 201, § 30, for § 45 does not by its terms confer any power on a foreign guardian and “at common law the authority of a guardian ... is local and is restricted to the limits of the State in which he is appointed.” Gardiner v. *626 Thorndike, 183 Mass. 81, 82 (1903). The proceeding begun under G. L. c. 204, § 3, could confer no authority to revoke.
Decree affirmed.
Costs and expenses of this appeal to be in the discretion of the Probate Court.
This case was initially heard by a panel composed of Justices Rose, Goodman and Armstrong and was thereafter submitted on the record and briefs to the Chief Justice and Justice Keville, both of whom took part in this decision in accordance with the provisions of Rule 1:18 of this court. Justice Grant took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.