# Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-105: 72-38-105 Default and mandatory rules

> Montana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-105

## Section

- **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-105
- **Heading:** 72-38-105 Default and mandatory rules
- **Jurisdiction:** Montana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MT Code / Title 72 / Chapter 38 / Part 1 / Section 72-38-105

## Text

72-38-105 . Default and mandatory rules. (1) Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the trust, this chapter governs the duties and powers of a trustee, relations among trustees, and the rights and interests of a beneficiary.

(2) The terms of a trust prevail over any provision of this chapter except:

(a) the requirements for creating a trust;

(b) subject to 72-40-113 , 72-40-115 , and 72-40-116 , the duty of a trustee to act in good faith and in accordance with the terms and purposes of the trust and the interests of the beneficiaries;

(c) the requirement that a trust and its terms be for the benefit of its beneficiaries and that the trust have a purpose that is lawful, not contrary to public policy, and possible to achieve;

(d) the power of the court to modify or terminate a trust under 72-38-410 through 72-38-416 ;

(e) the effect of a spendthrift provision;

(f) the power of the court under 72-38-702 to require, dispense with, or modify or terminate a bond;

(g) the power of the court under 72-38-708 (2) to adjust a trustee's compensation specified in the terms of the trust that is unreasonably low or high;

(h) the effect of an exculpatory term under 72-38-1008 ;

(i) the rights under 72-38-1010 through 72-38-1013 of a person other than a trustee or beneficiary;

(j) the periods of limitation for commencing a judicial proceeding;

(k) the power of the court to take the action and exercise the jurisdiction that may be necessary in the interests of justice; and

(l) the subject-matter jurisdiction of the court and venue for commencing a proceeding as provided in 72-38-201 and 72-38-205 .

## Nearby sections

- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-101 72-38-101 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-101.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-102 72-38-102 Scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-102.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-103 72-38-103 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-103.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-104 72-38-104 Knowledge](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-104.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-105 72-38-105 Default and mandatory rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-105.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-106 72-38-106 Common law of trusts -- principles of equity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-106.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-107 72-38-107 Governing law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-107.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-108 72-38-108 Principal place of administration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-108.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-109 72-38-109 Methods and waiver of notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-109.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-110 72-38-110 Others treated as qualified beneficiaries](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-110.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-111 72-38-111 Nonjudicial settlement agreements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-111.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-112 72-38-112 Rules of construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-112.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-113 72-38-113 Insurable interest of trustee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-113.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-120 72-38-120 Resulting trust upon failure of trust](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-120.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T72_C38_P1_S72-38-105. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.