Chapter 701

701.0504(1) (1) For purposes of this subchapter, and except as provided in sub. (3), a beneficiary’s interest in a trust that is subject to the trustee’s discretion does not constitute an interest in property or an enforceable right even if the discretion is expressed in the form of a standard of distribution or the beneficiary is then serving as sole trustee or cotrustee.

701.0504(2) (2) Except as provided in this subchapter, a creditor or other claimant may not attach present or future distributions from a beneficiary’s interest in property or an enforceable right, obtain an order from a court forcing the judicial sale of the interest or compelling the trustee to make distributions, or reach the interest or right by any other means, even if the trustee has abused the trustee’s discretion.

701.0504(3) (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if a beneficiary is acting as sole trustee of a trust for his or her benefit and his or her discretion to make distributions to himself or herself is not limited by an ascertainable standard or the consent of a party holding an adverse interest to the beneficiary.

701.0504(4) (4) 

701.0504(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), this section does not limit the right of a beneficiary to maintain a judicial proceeding against a trustee for an abuse of discretion or failure to comply with a standard for distribution.

701.0504(4)(b) (b) The right of a beneficiary described in par. (a) may not be exercised by a creditor.

701.0504 History History: 2013 a. 92.

701.0505 701.0505 Creditor’s claim against settlor.

701.0505(1) (1) 

701.0505(1)(a) (a) Whether or not the terms of a trust include a spendthrift provision and except as provided in par. (b), the following rules apply to claims of a settlor’s creditors:

701.0505(1)(a)1. 1. During the lifetime of the settlor, the property of a revocable trust is subject to claims of the settlor’s creditors.

701.0505(1)(a)2. 2. With respect to an irrevocable trust that is not a trust for an individual with a disability, upon application of a judgment creditor of the settlor, the court may, if the trust instrument requires or authorizes the trustee to make payments of income or principal to or for the settlor, order the trustee to satisfy part or all of the judgment out of part or all of the payments of income or principal as they are due, presently or in the future, or which are payable in the trustee’s discretion. A settlor’s right to receive reimbursement for income taxation arising from grantor trust treatment of the trust pursuant to sections 671 to 679 of the Internal Revenue Code is not considered a right to income or principal for purposes of this section. If a trust has more than one settlor, the amount the judgment creditor of a particular settlor may reach may not exceed the settlor’s interest in the trust.

701.0505(1)(a)3. 3. After the death of a settlor, and subject to the settlor’s right to direct the source from which liabilities will be paid, the property of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death is subject to claims of the settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expenses of the settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the settlor’s probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances.

701.0505(1)(b) (b) Assets of a trust that are exempt from claims of creditors under other statutes are not subject to par. (a).

701.0505(2) (2) For purposes of this subchapter, all of the following apply:

701.0505(2)(a) (a) During the period the power may be exercised, the holder of a power of withdrawal is treated in the same manner as the settlor of a revocable trust to the extent of the property subject to the power.

701.0505(2)(b) (b) A beneficiary of a trust may not be considered a settlor solely because of a lapse, waiver, or release of any of the following:

701.0505(2)(b)1. 1. A power described under par. (c).

701.0505(2)(b)2. 2. The beneficiary’s right to withdraw part of the trust property, to the extent that the value of the property affected by the lapse, waiver, or release in any year does not exceed the greater of the following:

701.0505(2)(b)2.a. a. The amount referenced in section 2041 (b) (2) or 2514 (e) of the Internal Revenue Code.

701.0505(2)(b)2.b. b. The amount referenced in section 2503 (b) of the Internal Revenue Code for each individual other than the beneficiary who makes a transfer to the trust or who is deemed to make a transfer to the trust pursuant to an election to split gifts under section 2513 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

701.0505(2)(c) (c) A beneficiary of a trust is not a settlor, has not made a voluntary or involuntary transfer of the beneficiary’s interest in the trust, and does not have the power to make a voluntary or involuntary transfer of the beneficiary’s interest in the trust solely because the beneficiary holds, exercises, or allows in any capacity, any of the following:

701.0505(2)(c)1. 1. A presently exercisable power to consume, invade, appropriate, or distribute property to or for the benefit of the beneficiary if the power is any of the following:

701.0505(2)(c)1.a. a. Exercisable only with the consent of another person holding an interest adverse to the beneficiary’s interest.

701.0505(2)(c)1.b. b. Limited by an ascertainable standard of the beneficiary.

701.0505(2)(c)2. 2. A presently exercisable power to appoint any property of the trust to or for the benefit of a person other than the beneficiary, a creditor of the beneficiary, the beneficiary’s estate, or a creditor of the beneficiary’s estate.

701.0505(2)(c)3. 3. A testamentary power of appointment.

701.0505(2)(c)4. 4. A presently exercisable right described in sub. (2) (b).

701.0505(2)(d) (d) A beneficiary of a trust is not a settlor solely because the beneficiary is entitled to nondiscretionary distributions from the trust.

701.0505(2)(e) (e)

701.0505(2)(e)1. 1. Contributions to the following trusts are not considered to have been contributed by the settlor:

701.0505(2)(e)1.a. a. An irrevocable marital trust that is treated as qualified terminable interest property under section 2523 (f) of the Internal Revenue Code if after the death of the settlor’s spouse the settlor is a beneficiary of the trust or an irrevocable trust that receives property from the trust.

701.0505(2)(e)1.b. b. An irrevocable marital trust that is treated as a general power of appointment trust under section 2523 (e) of the Internal Revenue Code if after the death of the settlor’s spouse the settlor is a beneficiary of the trust or an irrevocable trust that receives property from the trust.

701.0505(2)(e)1.c. c. An irrevocable trust for the settlor’s spouse if after the death of the settlor’s spouse the settlor is a beneficiary of the trust or an irrevocable trust that receives property from the trust.

701.0505(2)(e)1.d. d. An irrevocable trust for the benefit of a person, the settlor of which is the person’s spouse, regardless of whether or when the person was the settlor of an irrevocable trust for the benefit of that spouse.

701.0505(2)(e)1.e. e. An irrevocable trust for the benefit of a person to the extent that the property of the trust was subject to a general power of appointment in another person.

701.0505(2)(e)2. 2. A person who would otherwise be treated as a settlor of a trust described in subd. 1. a. to e. is not treated as a settlor of the trust.

701.0505(2)(e)3. 3. For purposes of this paragraph, notwithstanding s. 701.0103 (3), “beneficiary” means a person who satisfies s. 701.0103 (3) (a) or (b) and who is designated in a trust instrument or through the exercise of a nongeneral or general power of appointment.

701.0505(3) (3) Any order entered by a court under this section is subject to modification upon application of an interested person.

701.0505 History History: 2013 a. 92 ss. 99, 108 to 110; 2023 a. 127.

701.0506 701.0506 Overdue distribution.

701.0506(1) (1) In this section, “mandatory distribution” means a distribution of income or principal that the trustee is required to make to a beneficiary under the terms of the trust, including a distribution upon termination of the trust. “Mandatory distribution” does not include a distribution subject to the exercise of the trustee’s discretion even if any of the following applies:

701.0506(1)(a) (a) The discretion is expressed in the form of a standard of distribution.

701.0506(1)(b) (b) The terms of the trust authorizing a distribution couple language of discretion with language of direction.

701.0506(2) (2) Whether or not a trust contains a spendthrift provision, a creditor or assignee of a beneficiary may reach a mandatory distribution of income or principal, including a distribution upon termination of the trust, if the trustee has not made the distribution to the beneficiary within a reasonable time after the designated distribution date.

701.0506 History History: 2013 a. 92.

701.0507 701.0507 Personal obligations of trustee. Trust property is not subject to personal obligations of the trustee, even if the trustee becomes insolvent or bankrupt.

701.0507 History History: 2013 a. 92.

701.0508 701.0508 Debts of deceased settlor.

701.0508(1) (1) Deadline on claims. A claimant must assert a claim for payment of a debt of a deceased settlor within the time for such claims under applicable law. For purposes of this section, a debt incurred by a trustee of a revocable trust before the death of a settlor of the revocable trust shall be treated in the same manner as a debt of the settlor. A trustee of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death may shorten the time period and set a deadline for filing claims with the trustee by doing any of the following:

701.0508(1)(a) (a) Publishing a legal notice as a class 3 notice under ch. 985 in the county in which the deceased settlor resided. The legal notice shall identify the name, address, and any other contact information of the trustee or other person with whom claims must be filed. The deadline for a claim by any claimant who is not known by the trustee shall be the earlier of the date that is 4 months after the date of the first insertion of the legal notice or, if sub. (6) is applicable, the deadline prescribed under s. 859.01.

701.0508(1)(b) (b) Giving notice to a potential claimant. The notice shall include a copy of the legal notice, if published, and shall identify the name, address, and any other contact information of the trustee or other person with whom claims must be filed and shall state that any claim by the potential claimant must be filed not later than the date that is 30 days from the date notice is given to the potential claimant or the deadline specified in the legal notice. If a legal notice has not been published, the deadline shall be 4 months from the date the trustee provides notice to the potential claimant.

701.0508(1)(c) (c) Publishing a legal notice and not giving a separate notice to a potential claimant who is known to the trustee. The deadline for a claim when a legal notice has been published but notice is not given to a known potential claimant is the later of the date that is one year from the date of the settlor’s death or the deadline specified in the legal notice.

701.0508(2) (2) Exceptions to deadlines on claims. A claim that is not filed on or before an applicable deadline specified under sub. (1) is not barred if the claim is a claim based on tort, a marital property agreement that is subject to the time limitations under s. 766.58 (13) (b) or (c), Wisconsin income, franchise, sales, withholding, gift, or death taxes, unemployment compensation contributions due or benefits overpaid, funeral or administrative expenses, a claim of this state under s. 46.27 (7g), 2017 stats., or s. 49.496, 49.682, or 49.849, or a claim of the United States.

701.0508(3) (3) Filing of claims.

701.0508(3)(a) (a) A claim is considered filed if the claimant provides notice of the claim to the trustee or other person with whom claims must be filed as prescribed under sub. (1) (a) or (b).

701.0508(3)(b) (b) A claim is considered filed if the deceased settlor is subject to a probate proceeding in this state and a claim is filed with the court under ch. 859.

701.0508(3)(c) (c) If an action is pending against a deceased settlor at the time of the settlor’s death and the action survives, the plaintiff in that action may serve a notice of substitution of party defendant on the trustee and file proof of service of notice in the court. Filing of proof of service on or before the deadline for filing a claim under sub. (1) gives the plaintiff the same rights against the trust as the filing of a claim.

701.0508(4) (4) Effect of statute of limitations.

701.0508(4)(a) (a) A claim that was barred by a statute of limitations at the time of the deceased settlor’s death is barred and the claimant may not pursue a claim against the trustee, the trust property, or recipients with respect to trust property.

701.0508(4)(b) (b) A claim not barred by a statute of limitations at the time of the settlor’s death shall not be barred thereafter by a statute of limitations if the claim is filed on or before the deadline for filing a claim under sub. (1).

701.0508(4)(c) (c) A claim that is not filed or is filed after the deadline for filing a claim under sub. (1) is barred and the claimant may not pursue a claim against the trustee, the trust property, or recipients with respect to trust property.

701.0508(4)(d) (d) The deadlines established under sub. (1) do not extend the time for commencement of a claim beyond the time provided by any statute of limitations applicable to that claim.

701.0508(5) (5) Satisfaction of claim from other property. Failure of a claimant timely to file a claim as provided in this section does not bar the claimant from satisfying the claim, if not otherwise barred, from property other than trust property.

701.0508(6) (6) Coordination with probate. If a legal notice has been published with respect to the estate of a deceased settlor who died domiciled in this state, property of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death shall be treated as property of the estate solely for purposes of administering claims under ch. 859. The trustee shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the court in which the estate administration is pending. A personal representative, as defined in s. 851.23, shall provide notice to the trustee regarding claims filed against the estate. A claim barred under ch. 859 may not be satisfied from property of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death. The trustee and qualified beneficiaries shall have standing to file an objection, offset, or counterclaim with respect to claims filed against the estate. Nothing in this subsection causes property of the trust that otherwise would be exempt from claims to be subject to claims filed against the settlor’s estate. If the trust is not referenced in a deceased settlor’s will, the trustee of a trust that was revocable at the settlor’s death shall provide notice to a personal representative of the settlor’s estate, if any, of the existence of such trust.

701.0508 History History: 1997 a. 188; 1999 a. 9; 2013 a. 20; 2013 a. 92 ss. 118, 119; Stats. 2013 s. 701.0508; 2019 a. 9; 2021 a. 239 s. 74; 2023 a. 127.

701.0509 701.0509 Procedures for claims for debts of a deceased settlor; revocable trusts.

701.0509(1) (1) Scope of applicability. The procedures under this section apply only to claims against a trust that was revocable by the settlor until the settlor’s death.

701.0509(2) (2) Form and verification of claims; trustee response to claims.

701.0509(2)(a) (a) General requirements. A claim shall be in writing, shall describe the nature and amount of the claim, if ascertainable, shall identify the name, address, and any other contact information of the claimant, and shall be sworn to by the claimant or a person on the claimant’s behalf that the amount is justly due, or if not yet due, when it will or may become due, that no payments have been made on the claim that are not credited, and that there are no offsets to the knowledge of the affiant, except as stated in the claim.

701.0509(2)(b) (b) Requirements when claim founded on written instrument. If a claim is founded on a written instrument that is available, the original instrument or a copy of the original instrument shall be attached to the claim.

701.0509(2)(c) (c) Trustee response to a claim. A trustee does not need to respond to a claim until after the expiration of the deadline for filing a claim against the trust under s. 701.0508. Within 30 days after the later of the receipt of the claim or 30 days after the expiration of the deadline, the trustee shall make a good faith determination of whether the claim is valid, absolute, contingent, or invalid, or whether the trustee will object to the claim, and the trustee shall inform the claimant of the determination. If the trustee decides to object to the claim, the claim may be compromised as provided in sub. (10) or contested as provided under sub. (11). If the trustee determines the claim is invalid, the claimant may object to that determination under sub. (11). If the trustee fails to respond within the applicable period, the claim shall be presumed valid and the claimant may seek enforcement under sub. (11).

701.0509(3) (3) Claims not due. If a claim will become due at some future time, the trustee may, or the court with respect to a contested claim may order the trustee to, do any of the following:

701.0509(3)(a) (a) Pay the claim in full.

701.0509(3)(b) (b) Pay the claim at the present value and in the same manner as in the case of an absolute claim that has been allowed.

701.0509(3)(c) (c) Retain sufficient funds to satisfy the claim upon maturity.

701.0509(3)(d) (d) Obtain a bond to be given by the distributees for payment in satisfaction of the claim and order the trust to be administered as if the claim had not been filed.

701.0509(4) (4) Secured claims.

701.0509(4)(a) (a) When a claimant holds any security for a claim, the security shall be described in the written claim given to the trustee. The security is sufficiently described if the security document is described by date and by the recording or filing data.

701.0509(4)(b) (b) Payment of the claim shall be made on the basis of one of the following:

701.0509(4)(b)1. 1. If the creditor surrenders the security, the full amount of the claim.

701.0509(4)(b)2. 2. If the creditor realizes on the security before receiving payment, upon the full amount of the claim allowed less the fair value of the security.

701.0509(5) (5) Contingent claims. If the amount or validity of a claim cannot be determined until some time in the future, the claim is a contingent claim regardless of whether the claim is based on an event that occurred in the past or on an event that may occur in the future. Except for claims of the type not required to be filed under s. 701.0508 (2), contingent claims must be filed with the trustee as provided under sub. (2). If the trustee determines the claim to be valid subject to the contingency, the determination shall state the nature of the contingency. If the trustee determines the claim to be valid and absolute before distribution of the trust, the claim shall be paid in the same manner as absolute claims of the same class. In all other cases the trustee, or the court in the case of a contested claim, may provide for the payment of contingent claims in any of the following methods:

701.0509(5)(a) (a) The claimant and trustee may determine, by agreement, arbitration, or compromise, the value of the claim, according to its probable present worth, and it shall be paid in the same manner as a valid and absolute claim.

701.0509(5)(b) (b) The trustee may, or the court may order the trustee to, in the case of a contested claim, make distribution of the trust but retain sufficient funds to pay the claim if and when the same becomes absolute. For this purpose, the trust may not be required to remain intact longer than 2 years after distribution of the remainder of the trust has been made, and if the claim has not become absolute within that time, distribution shall be made to the distributees of the retained funds, after paying any costs and expenses accruing during such period, but the distributees shall be liable to the claimant to the extent provided in sub. (6), if the contingent claim thereafter becomes absolute. When distribution is so made to distributees, the trustee or the court may require the distributees to give bond for the satisfaction of their liability to the contingent claimant.

701.0509(5)(c) (c) The trustee may require, or the court, in the case of a contested claim, may order, distribution of the trust as though the contingent claim did not exist, but the distributees shall be liable to the claimant as limited by sub. (7), if the contingent claim thereafter becomes absolute. The trustee or the court may require the distributees to give bond for the satisfaction of their liability to the contingent claimant.

701.0509(5)(d) (d) Any other method the trustee determines or the court, in the case of a contested claim, orders.

701.0509(6) (6) Payment of contingent claims by distributees. If a contingent claim is filed and the trustee determines the claim to be valid subject to the contingency and all of the assets of the trust, including the fund set apart for the payment of the claim, have been distributed, the claimant may recover on the claim against those distributees, or the persons who furnish bond for the distributees, whose distributive shares have been increased by reason of the fact that the amount of the claim as finally determined was not paid prior to final distribution, if a proceeding for the claim is commenced in court within 6 months after the claim becomes absolute. A distributee or the person who furnishes bond for the distributee shall not be liable for an amount exceeding that person’s proportionate share of the trust subject to the claim, nor for an amount greater than the value of the property that that person received from the trust, the value to be determined as of the time of distribution to the distributee.

701.0509(7) (7) Priority of payment of claims and allowances.