# N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-08: 59-18-08. (1008) Exculpation of trustee

> North Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-08

## Section

- **Citation:** N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-08
- **Heading:** 59-18-08. (1008) Exculpation of trustee
- **Jurisdiction:** North Dakota
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ND Code / Title 59 / Chapter 59-18 / Section 59-18-08

## Text

59-18-08. (1008) Exculpation of trustee

1. A term of a trust relieving a trustee of liability for breach of trust is unenforceable to the

extent that the term relieves the trustee of liability for breach of trust committed in bad

faith or with reckless indifference to the purposes of the trust or was inserted as the

result of an abuse by the trustee of a fiduciary or confidential relationship to the settlor.

2. Unless the settlor was represented by an attorney not employed by the trustee with

respect to the trust containing the exculpatory term, an exculpatory term drafted or

caused to be drafted by the trustee is invalid as an abuse of a fiduciary or confidential

relationship unless the trustee proves that the exculpatory term is fair under the

circumstances and that its existence and contents were adequately communicated to

the settlor.

## Nearby sections

- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-01 59-18-01. (1001) Remedies for breach of trust](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-01.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-01.1 59-18-01.1. Presumption against trustee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-01.1.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-02 59-18-02. (1002) Damages for breach of trust](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-02.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-03 59-18-03. (1003) Damages in absence of breach](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-03.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-05 59-18-05. (1005) Limitation of action against trustee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-05.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-06 59-18-06. (1006) Reliance on trust instrument](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-06.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-07 59-18-07. (1007) Event affecting administration or distribution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-07.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-08 59-18-08. (1008) Exculpation of trustee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-08.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-09 59-18-09. (1009) Beneficiary's consent, release, or ratification](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-09.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-10 59-18-10. (1010) Limitation on personal liability of trustee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-10.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-11 59-18-11. (1011) Interest as general partner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-11.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-12 59-18-12. (1012) Protection of person dealing with trustee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-12.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 59-18-13 59-18-13. (1013) Certification of trust](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T59_C59-18_S59-18-08. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.