# N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-5: Default and mandatory rules

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-5

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-5
- **Heading:** Default and mandatory rules
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 3B / Chapter 31 / Section 31-5

## Text

3B:31-5. Default and Mandatory Rules. a. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the trust, this act governs the duties and powers of a trustee, relations among trustees, and the rights and interests of a beneficiary. b. The terms of a trust prevail over any provision of this act except: (1) the requirements for creating a trust; (2) the duty of a trustee to act in good faith and in accordance with the purposes of the trust; (3) 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; (4) the power of the court to modify or terminate a trust under N.J.S.3B:31-26 through N.J.S.3B:31-33; (5) the effect of a spendthrift provision and the rights of certain creditors and assignees to reach a trust as provided in article 4 of this act; (6) the power of the court under N.J.S.3B:31-47 to require, dispense with, or modify or terminate a bond; (7) the duty under subsections a. and b. of N.J.S.3B:31-67 to respond to the request of a qualified beneficiary of an irrevocable trust who has attained the age of 35 years for a copy of the trust instrument or for other information reasonably related to the administration of the trust; (8) the effect of an exculpatory term under N.J.S.3B:31-77; (9) the rights under N.J.S.3B:31-79 through N.J.S.3B:31-81 of a person other than a trustee or beneficiary; (10) periods of limitation for commencing a judicial proceeding; and (11) the power of the court to take such action and exercise such jurisdiction as may be necessary in the interests of justice. L.2015, c.276, s.1.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-1 Short Title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-2 Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-3 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-4 Knowledge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-5 Default and mandatory rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-6 Common Law of Trusts; Principles of Equity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-6.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-7 Governing law.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-8 Principal place of administration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-8.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-9 Methods and waiver of notice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-9.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-10 Others treated as qualified beneficiaries.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-10.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-11 Nonjudicial settlement agreements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-11.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-12 Rules of construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-12.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-13 Representation: basic effect.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-13.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-14 Representation by holder of general testamentary power of appointment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T3B_C31_S31-5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.