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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the adoption of the Texas Uniform Disclaimer of |
|
Property Interests Act. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 24.002(12), Business & Commerce Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(12) "Transfer" means every mode, direct or indirect, |
|
absolute or conditional, voluntary or involuntary, of disposing of |
|
or parting with an asset or an interest in an asset, and includes |
|
payment of money, release, lease, and creation of a lien or other |
|
encumbrance. The term does not include a transfer under a |
|
disclaimer filed under Chapter 240, [Section 37A, Texas Probate
|
|
Code, or Section 112.010,] Property Code. |
|
SECTION 2. The heading to Subchapter A, Chapter 122, |
|
Estates Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER A. [GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO] DISCLAIMER OF |
|
INTEREST OR POWER |
|
SECTION 3. Sections 122.001 and 122.002, Estates Code, are |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 122.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter [chapter,
|
|
other than Subchapter E]: |
|
(1) "Beneficiary" includes a person who would have |
|
been entitled, if the person had not made a disclaimer, to receive |
|
property as a result of the death of another person: |
|
(A) by inheritance; |
|
(B) under a will; |
|
(C) by an agreement between spouses for community |
|
property with a right of survivorship; |
|
(D) by a joint tenancy with a right of |
|
survivorship; |
|
(E) by a survivorship agreement, account, or |
|
interest in which the interest of the decedent passes to a surviving |
|
beneficiary; |
|
(F) by an insurance, annuity, endowment, |
|
employment, deferred compensation, or other contract or |
|
arrangement; or |
|
(G) under a pension, profit sharing, thrift, |
|
stock bonus, life insurance, survivor income, incentive, or other |
|
plan or program providing retirement, welfare, or fringe benefits |
|
with respect to an employee or a self-employed individual. |
|
(2) "Disclaim" and "disclaimer" have the meanings |
|
assigned by Section 240.002, Property Code ["Disclaimer" includes
|
|
renunciation]. |
|
[(3)
"Property" includes all legal and equitable
|
|
interests, powers, and property, present or future, vested or
|
|
contingent, and beneficial or burdensome, in whole or in part.] |
|
Sec. 122.002. DISCLAIMER [WHO MAY DISCLAIM]. [(a)] A |
|
person who may be entitled to receive property as a beneficiary may |
|
disclaim the person's interest in or power over the property in |
|
accordance with Chapter 240, Property Code [who on or after
|
|
September 1, 1977, intends to irrevocably disclaim all or any part
|
|
of the property shall evidence the disclaimer as provided by this
|
|
chapter]. |
|
[(b)
Subject to Subsection (c), the legally authorized
|
|
representative of a person who may be entitled to receive property
|
|
as a beneficiary who on or after September 1, 1977, intends to
|
|
irrevocably disclaim all or any part of the property on the
|
|
beneficiary's behalf shall evidence the disclaimer as provided by
|
|
this chapter.
|
|
[(c)
A disclaimer made by a legally authorized
|
|
representative described by Subsection (d)(1), (2), or (3), other
|
|
than an independent executor, must be made with prior court
|
|
approval of the court that has or would have jurisdiction over the
|
|
legally authorized representative.
A disclaimer made by an
|
|
independent executor on behalf of a decedent may be made without
|
|
prior court approval.
|
|
[(d)
In this section, "legally authorized representative"
|
|
means:
|
|
[(1)
a guardian if the person entitled to receive the
|
|
property as a beneficiary is an incapacitated person;
|
|
[(2)
a guardian ad litem if the person entitled to
|
|
receive the property as a beneficiary is an unborn or unascertained
|
|
person;
|
|
[(3)
a personal representative, including an
|
|
independent executor, if the person entitled to receive the
|
|
property as a beneficiary is a decedent; or
|
|
[(4)
an attorney in fact or agent appointed under a
|
|
durable power of attorney authorizing disclaimers if the person
|
|
entitled to receive the property as a beneficiary executed the
|
|
power of attorney as a principal.] |
|
SECTION 4. Section 122.201, Estates Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 122.201. ASSIGNMENT. A person who is entitled to |
|
receive property or an interest in property from a decedent under a |
|
will, by inheritance, or as a beneficiary under a life insurance |
|
contract, and does not disclaim the property under Chapter 240, |
|
Property Code, [this chapter] may assign the property or interest |
|
in property to any person. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 122.202, Estates Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 122.202. FILING OF ASSIGNMENT. An assignment may, at |
|
the request of the assignor, be delivered or filed as provided for |
|
the delivery or filing of a disclaimer under Subchapter C, Chapter |
|
240, Property Code [B]. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 122.204, Estates Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 122.204. FAILURE TO COMPLY. Failure to comply with |
|
Chapter 240, Property Code, [Subchapters A, B, C, and D] does not |
|
affect an assignment. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 122.205, Estates Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 122.205. GIFT. An assignment under this subchapter is |
|
a gift to the assignee and is not a disclaimer under Chapter 240, |
|
Property Code [Subchapters A, B, C, and D]. |
|
SECTION 8. Section 124.004, Estates Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 124.004. EFFECT OF DISCLAIMERS. This subchapter shall |
|
be applied after giving effect to any disclaimers made in |
|
accordance with Chapter 240, Property Code [Subchapters A, B, C,
|
|
and D, Chapter 122]. |
|
SECTION 9. Section 814.005(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person may, on a form prescribed by and filed with the |
|
retirement system, waive all or a portion of any benefits from the |
|
retirement system to which the person is entitled. The retirement |
|
system also shall give effect as a waiver to a full or partial |
|
disclaimer executed in accordance with Chapter 240, Property |
|
[Section 37A, Texas Probate] Code, unless the benefit to be |
|
disclaimed is a lifetime annuity. A person may revoke a waiver of |
|
benefits in the same manner as the original waiver was made, unless |
|
the original waiver by its terms was made irrevocable. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 834.005, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 834.005. DISCLAIMER OF BENEFITS. The retirement |
|
system shall give effect to a full or partial disclaimer of benefits |
|
executed in accordance with Chapter 240, Property [Section 37A,
|
|
Texas Probate] Code, unless the benefit to be disclaimed is a |
|
lifetime annuity. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 839.004, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 839.004. DISCLAIMER OF BENEFITS. The retirement |
|
system shall give effect to a full or partial disclaimer of benefits |
|
executed in accordance with Chapter 240, Property [Section 37A,
|
|
Texas Probate] Code, unless the benefit to be disclaimed is a |
|
lifetime annuity. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 1551.259(e), Insurance Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(e) The board of trustees shall give effect to a full or |
|
partial disclaimer of benefits executed in accordance with Chapter |
|
240, Property [Section 37A, Texas Probate] Code. |
|
SECTION 13. The heading to Section 112.010, Property Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 112.010. PRESUMED ACCEPTANCE [OR DISCLAIMER] BY [OR ON
|
|
BEHALF OF] BENEFICIARY; DISCLAIMER. |
|
SECTION 14. Section 112.010(b), Property Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) A disclaimer of an interest in or power over trust |
|
property is governed by Chapter 240 [If a trust is created by will,
|
|
a beneficiary may disclaim an interest in the manner and with the
|
|
effect for which provision is made in the applicable probate law]. |
|
SECTION 15. The Property Code is amended by adding Title 13 |
|
to read as follows: |
|
TITLE 13. DISCLAIMER OF PROPERTY INTERESTS |
|
CHAPTER 240. TEXAS UNIFORM DISCLAIMER OF PROPERTY INTERESTS ACT |
|
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
Sec. 240.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the |
|
Texas Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act. |
|
Sec. 240.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Current beneficiary" and "presumptive remainder |
|
beneficiary" have the meanings assigned by Section 112.071. |
|
(2) "Disclaim" means to refuse to accept an interest |
|
in or power over property, including an interest or power the person |
|
is entitled to: |
|
(A) by inheritance; |
|
(B) under a will; |
|
(C) by an agreement between spouses for community |
|
property with a right of survivorship; |
|
(D) by a joint tenancy with a right of |
|
survivorship; |
|
(E) by a survivorship agreement, account, or |
|
interest in which the interest of the decedent passes to a surviving |
|
beneficiary; |
|
(F) by an insurance, annuity, endowment, |
|
employment, deferred compensation, or other contract or |
|
arrangement; |
|
(G) under a pension, profit sharing, thrift, |
|
stock bonus, life insurance, survivor income, incentive, or other |
|
plan or program providing retirement, welfare, or fringe benefits |
|
with respect to an employee or a self-employed individual; or |
|
(H) by an instrument creating a trust. |
|
(3) "Disclaimant" means: |
|
(A) the person to whom a disclaimed interest or |
|
power would have passed had the disclaimer not been made; |
|
(B) the estate to which a disclaimed interest or |
|
power would have passed had the disclaimer not been made by the |
|
personal representative of the estate; or |
|
(C) the trust into which a disclaimed interest or |
|
power would have passed had the disclaimer not been made by the |
|
trustee of the trust. |
|
(4) "Disclaimed interest" means the interest that |
|
would have passed to the disclaimant had the disclaimer not been |
|
made. |
|
(5) "Disclaimed power" means the power that would have |
|
been possessed by the disclaimant had the disclaimer not been made. |
|
(6) "Disclaimer" means the refusal to accept an |
|
interest in or power over property. |
|
(7) "Estate" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
22.012, Estates Code. |
|
(8) "Fiduciary" means a personal representative, a |
|
trustee, an attorney in fact or agent acting under a power of |
|
attorney, or any other person authorized to act as a fiduciary with |
|
respect to the property of another person. |
|
(9) "Guardian" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
1002.012, Estates Code. |
|
(10) Notwithstanding Section 311.005, Government |
|
Code, "person" means an individual, corporation, including a public |
|
corporation, business trust, partnership, limited liability |
|
company, association, joint venture, governmental entity, |
|
including a political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or |
|
any other legal entity. |
|
(11) "Personal representative" has the meanings |
|
assigned by Sections 22.031 and 1002.028, Estates Code. |
|
(12) "State" means a state of the United States, the |
|
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin |
|
Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the |
|
jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes an Indian |
|
tribe or band, or Alaskan native village, recognized by federal law |
|
or formally acknowledged by a state. |
|
(13) "Survivorship property" means property held in |
|
the name of two or more persons under an arrangement in which, on |
|
the death of one of the persons, the property passes to and is |
|
vested in the other person or persons. The term includes: |
|
(A) property held by an agreement described in |
|
Section 111.001, Estates Code; |
|
(B) property held by a community property |
|
survivorship agreement defined in Section 112.001, Estates Code; |
|
and |
|
(C) property in a joint account held by an |
|
agreement described in Section 113.151, Estates Code. |
|
(14) "Trust" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
111.003. |
|
(15) "Ward" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
22.033, Estates Code. |
|
Sec. 240.003. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter |
|
applies to disclaimers of any interest in or power over property, |
|
whenever created. |
|
Sec. 240.004. CHAPTER SUPPLEMENTED BY OTHER LAW. (a) |
|
Unless displaced by a provision of this chapter, the principles of |
|
law and equity supplement this chapter. |
|
(b) This chapter does not limit any right of a person to |
|
waive, release, disclaim, or renounce an interest in or power over |
|
property under a statute other than this chapter. |
|
Sec. 240.005. UNIFORMITY OF APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION. |
|
In applying and construing this chapter, consideration must be |
|
given to the need to promote uniformity of the law, with respect to |
|
the subject matter of this chapter, among states that enact a law |
|
based on the uniform act on which this chapter is based. |
|
Sec. 240.006. POWER TO DISCLAIM BY PERSON OTHER THAN |
|
FIDUCIARY. (a) A person other than a fiduciary may disclaim, in |
|
whole or in part, any interest in or power over property, including |
|
a power of appointment. |
|
(b) A person other than a fiduciary may disclaim an interest |
|
or power under this section even if the creator of the interest or |
|
power imposed a spendthrift provision or similar restriction on |
|
transfer or a restriction or limitation on the right to disclaim. |
|
Sec. 240.007. POWER TO DISCLAIM POWER HELD IN FIDUCIARY |
|
CAPACITY BY PERSON DESIGNATED TO SERVE AS OR SERVING AS FIDUCIARY. |
|
(a) Subject to Subsection (b) and except to the extent the person's |
|
right to disclaim is expressly restricted or limited by a law of |
|
this state or by the instrument creating the fiduciary |
|
relationship, a person designated to serve or serving as a |
|
fiduciary may disclaim, in whole or in part, any power over |
|
property, including a power of appointment and the power to |
|
disclaim, held in a fiduciary capacity. |
|
(b) If a power being disclaimed under Subsection (a) by a |
|
person designated to serve or serving as a trustee affects the |
|
distributive rights of any beneficiary of the trust: |
|
(1) the person may disclaim only on or after accepting |
|
the trust; |
|
(2) the disclaimer must be compatible with the |
|
trustee's fiduciary obligations; and |
|
(3) if the disclaimer is made on accepting the trust, |
|
the trustee is considered to have never possessed the power |
|
disclaimed. |
|
(c) A person designated to serve or serving as a fiduciary |
|
may disclaim a power under this section even if the creator of the |
|
power imposed a spendthrift provision or similar restriction on |
|
transfer. |
|
Sec. 240.008. POWER TO DISCLAIM BY FIDUCIARY ACTING IN |
|
FIDUCIARY CAPACITY. (a) Subject to this section and except to the |
|
extent the fiduciary's right to disclaim is expressly restricted or |
|
limited by a law of this state or by the instrument creating the |
|
fiduciary relationship, a fiduciary acting in a fiduciary capacity |
|
may disclaim, in whole or in part, any interest in or power over |
|
property, including a power of appointment and the power to |
|
disclaim, that would have passed to the ward, estate, trust, or |
|
principal with respect to which the fiduciary was acting had the |
|
disclaimer not been made even if: |
|
(1) the creator of the interest or power imposed a |
|
spendthrift provision or similar restriction on transfer or a |
|
restriction or limitation on the right to disclaim; or |
|
(2) an instrument other than the instrument that |
|
created the fiduciary relationship imposed a restriction or |
|
limitation on the right to disclaim. |
|
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), (d), or (f), a |
|
disclaimer by a fiduciary acting in a fiduciary capacity does not |
|
require court approval to be effective unless the instrument that |
|
created the fiduciary relationship requires court approval. |
|
(c) The following disclaimers by a fiduciary acting in a |
|
fiduciary capacity are not effective unless approved by a court of |
|
competent jurisdiction: |
|
(1) a disclaimer by a personal representative who is |
|
not an independent administrator or independent executor; |
|
(2) a disclaimer by the trustee of a management trust |
|
created under Chapter 1301, Estates Code; |
|
(3) a disclaimer by the trustee of a trust created |
|
under Section 142.005; or |
|
(4) a disclaimer that would result in an interest in or |
|
power over property passing to the person making the disclaimer. |
|
(d) A trustee acting in a fiduciary capacity may not |
|
disclaim an interest in property that would cause the interest in |
|
property not to become trust property unless: |
|
(1) a court of competent jurisdiction approves the |
|
disclaimer; or |
|
(2) the trustee provides written notice of the |
|
disclaimer in accordance with Section 240.0081. |
|
(e) In the absence of a court-appointed guardian, without |
|
court approval, a natural guardian as described by Section |
|
1104.051, Estates Code, may disclaim on behalf of a minor child of |
|
the natural guardian, in whole or in part, any interest in or power |
|
over property, including a power of appointment, that the minor |
|
child is to receive solely as a result of another disclaimer, but |
|
only if the disclaimed interest or power does not pass to or for the |
|
benefit of the natural guardian as a result of the disclaimer. |
|
(f) Unless a court of competent jurisdiction approves the |
|
disclaimer, a disclaimer by a fiduciary acting in a fiduciary |
|
capacity must be compatible with the fiduciary's fiduciary |
|
obligations. A disclaimer by a fiduciary acting in a fiduciary |
|
capacity is not a per se breach of the fiduciary's fiduciary |
|
obligations. |
|
(g) Possible remedies for a breach of fiduciary obligations |
|
do not include declaring an otherwise effective disclaimer void or |
|
granting other legal or equitable relief that would make the |
|
disclaimer ineffective. |
|
Sec. 240.0081. NOTICE REQUIRED BY TRUSTEE DISCLAIMING |
|
CERTAIN INTERESTS IN PROPERTY; EFFECT OF NOTICE. (a) A trustee |
|
acting in a fiduciary capacity may disclaim an interest in property |
|
that would cause the interest in property not to become trust |
|
property without court approval if the trustee provides written |
|
notice of the disclaimer to all of the current beneficiaries and |
|
presumptive remainder beneficiaries of the trust. |
|
(b) For the purpose of determining who is a current |
|
beneficiary or presumptive remainder beneficiary entitled to the |
|
notice under Subsection (a), a beneficiary is determined as of the |
|
date the notice is sent. |
|
(c) In addition to the notice required under Subsection (a), |
|
the trustee shall give written notice of the trustee's disclaimer |
|
to the attorney general if: |
|
(1) a charity is entitled to notice; |
|
(2) a charity entitled to notice is no longer in |
|
existence; |
|
(3) the trustee has the authority to distribute trust |
|
assets to one or more charities that are not named in the trust |
|
instrument; or |
|
(4) the trustee has the authority to make |
|
distributions for a charitable purpose described in the trust |
|
instrument, but no charity is named as a beneficiary for that |
|
purpose. |
|
(d) If the beneficiary has a court-appointed guardian or |
|
conservator, the notice required to be given by this section must be |
|
given to that guardian or conservator. If the beneficiary is a |
|
minor for whom no guardian or conservator has been appointed, the |
|
notice required to be given by this section must be given to a |
|
parent of the minor. |
|
(e) The trustee is not required to provide the notice to a |
|
beneficiary who: |
|
(1) is known to the trustee and cannot be located by |
|
the trustee after reasonable diligence; |
|
(2) is not known to the trustee; |
|
(3) waives the requirement of the notice under this |
|
section; or |
|
(4) is a descendant of a beneficiary to whom the |
|
trustee has given notice if the beneficiary and the beneficiary's |
|
ancestor have similar interests in the trust and no apparent |
|
conflict of interest exists between them. |
|
(f) The notice required under Subsection (a) must: |
|
(1) include a statement that: |
|
(A) the trustee intends to disclaim an interest |
|
in property; |
|
(B) if the trustee makes the disclaimer, the |
|
property will not become trust property and will not be available to |
|
distribute to the beneficiary from the trust; |
|
(C) the beneficiary has the right to object to |
|
the disclaimer; and |
|
(D) the beneficiary may petition a court to |
|
approve, modify, or deny the disclaimer; |
|
(2) describe the interest in property the trustee |
|
intends to disclaim; |
|
(3) specify the earliest date the trustee intends to |
|
make the disclaimer; |
|
(4) include the name and mailing address of the |
|
trustee; |
|
(5) be given not later than the 30th day before the |
|
date the disclaimer is made; and |
|
(6) be sent by personal delivery, first-class mail, |
|
facsimile, e-mail, or any other method likely to result in the |
|
notice's receipt. |
|
(g) A beneficiary is not considered to have accepted the |
|
disclaimed interest solely because the beneficiary acts or does not |
|
act on receipt of a notice provided under this section. |
|
(h) If the trustee makes the disclaimer for which notice is |
|
provided under this section, the beneficiary does not lose the |
|
beneficiary's right, if any, to sue the trustee for breach of the |
|
trustee's fiduciary obligations in connection with making the |
|
disclaimer. Section 240.008(g) applies to remedies sought in |
|
connection with the alleged breach. |
|
Sec. 240.009. POWER TO DISCLAIM; GENERAL REQUIREMENTS; WHEN |
|
IRREVOCABLE. (a) To be effective, a disclaimer must: |
|
(1) be in writing; |
|
(2) declare the disclaimer; |
|
(3) describe the interest or power disclaimed; |
|
(4) be signed by the person making the disclaimer; and |
|
(5) be delivered or filed in the manner provided by |
|
Subchapter C. |
|
(b) A partial disclaimer may be expressed as a fraction, |
|
percentage, monetary amount, term of years, limitation of a power, |
|
or any other interest or estate in the property. |
|
(c) A disclaimer is irrevocable on the later of the date the |
|
disclaimer: |
|
(1) is delivered or filed under Subchapter C; or |
|
(2) takes effect as provided in Sections |
|
240.051-240.056. |
|
(d) A disclaimer made under this chapter is not a transfer, |
|
assignment, or release. |
|
SUBCHAPTER B. TYPE AND EFFECT OF DISCLAIMER |
|
Sec. 240.0501. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "future |
|
interest" means an interest that: |
|
(1) takes effect in possession or enjoyment, if at |
|
all, later than the time at which the instrument creating the |
|
interest becomes irrevocable; and |
|
(2) passes to the holder of the interest at the time of |
|
the event that causes the taker of the interest to be finally |
|
ascertained and the interest to be indefeasibly vested. |
|
Sec. 240.051. DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST IN PROPERTY. (a) This |
|
section and Sections 240.0511 and 240.0512 apply to a disclaimer of |
|
an interest in property other than a disclaimer subject to Section |
|
240.052 or 240.053. |
|
(b) If an interest in property passes because of the death |
|
of a decedent: |
|
(1) a disclaimer of the interest: |
|
(A) takes effect as of the time of the decedent's |
|
death; and |
|
(B) relates back for all purposes to the time of |
|
the decedent's death; and |
|
(2) the disclaimed interest is not subject to the |
|
claims of any creditor of the disclaimant. |
|
(c) If an interest in property passes because of an event |
|
not related to the death of a decedent: |
|
(1) a disclaimer of the interest: |
|
(A) takes effect: |
|
(i) as of the time the instrument creating |
|
the interest became irrevocable; or |
|
(ii) in the case of an irrevocable transfer |
|
made without an instrument, at the time of the irrevocable |
|
transfer; and |
|
(B) relates back for all purposes to the time the |
|
instrument became irrevocable or the time of the irrevocable |
|
transfer, as applicable; and |
|
(2) the disclaimed interest is not subject to the |
|
claims of any creditor of the disclaimant. |
|
(d) A disclaimed interest passes according to any provision |
|
in the instrument creating the interest that provides for: |
|
(1) the disposition of the interest if the interest |
|
were to be disclaimed; or |
|
(2) the disposition of disclaimed interests in |
|
general. |
|
(e) If the instrument creating the disclaimed interest does |
|
not contain a provision described by Subsection (d) and: |
|
(1) if the disclaimant is not an individual, the |
|
disclaimed interest passes as if the disclaimant did not exist; or |
|
(2) if the disclaimant is an individual: |
|
(A) except as provided by Section 240.0511, if |
|
the interest is passing because of the death of a decedent, the |
|
disclaimed interest passes as if the disclaimant had died |
|
immediately before the time as of which the disclaimer takes effect |
|
under Subsection (b); or |
|
(B) except as provided by Section 240.0512, if |
|
the interest is passing because of an event not related to the death |
|
of a decedent, the disclaimed interest passes as if the disclaimant |
|
had died immediately before the time as of which the disclaimer |
|
takes effect under Subsection (c). |
|
(f) A disclaimed interest that passes by intestacy passes as |
|
if the disclaimant died immediately before the decedent. |
|
Sec. 240.0511. DISPOSITION OF INTEREST PASSING BECAUSE OF |
|
DECEDENT'S DEATH AND DISCLAIMED BY INDIVIDUAL. (a) Subject to |
|
Subsection (b): |
|
(1) if by law or under the instrument creating the |
|
disclaimed interest the descendants of a disclaimant of an interest |
|
passing because of the death of a decedent would share in the |
|
disclaimed interest by any method of representation under Section |
|
240.051(e)(2)(A), the disclaimed interest passes only to the |
|
descendants of the disclaimant who survive the decedent; or |
|
(2) if the disclaimed interest would have passed to |
|
the disclaimant's estate under Section 240.051(e)(2)(A), the |
|
disclaimed interest instead passes by representation to the |
|
descendants of the disclaimant who survive the decedent. |
|
(b) If no descendant of the disclaimant survives the |
|
decedent, the disclaimed interest passes to those persons, |
|
including the state but excluding the disclaimant, and in such |
|
shares as would succeed to the transferor's intestate estate under |
|
the intestate succession law of the transferor's domicile had the |
|
transferor died immediately before the decedent, except that if the |
|
transferor's surviving spouse is living but remarried before the |
|
decedent's death, the transferor is considered to have died |
|
unmarried immediately before the decedent's death. |
|
(c) On the disclaimer of a preceding interest, a future |
|
interest held by a person other than the disclaimant takes effect as |
|
if the disclaimant had died immediately before the decedent, but a |
|
future interest held by the disclaimant is not accelerated in |
|
possession or enjoyment. |
|
Sec. 240.0512. DISPOSITION OF INTEREST PASSING BECAUSE OF |
|
EVENT OTHER THAN DECEDENT'S DEATH AND DISCLAIMED BY INDIVIDUAL. |
|
(a) Subject to Subsection (b): |
|
(1) if by law or under the instrument creating the |
|
disclaimed interest the descendants of a disclaimant of an interest |
|
passing because of an event not related to the death of a decedent |
|
would share in the disclaimed interest by any method of |
|
representation under Section 240.051(e)(2)(B), the disclaimed |
|
interest passes only to the descendants of the disclaimant living |
|
at the time of the event that causes the interest to pass; or |
|
(2) if the disclaimed interest would have passed to |
|
the disclaimant's estate under Section 240.051(e)(2)(B), the |
|
disclaimed interest instead passes by representation to the |
|
descendants of the disclaimant living at the time of the event that |
|
causes the interest to pass. |
|
(b) If no descendant of the disclaimant is living at the |
|
time of the event described by Subsection (a)(1), the disclaimed |
|
interest passes to those persons, including the state but excluding |
|
the disclaimant, and in such shares as would succeed to the |
|
transferor's intestate estate under the intestate succession law of |
|
the transferor's domicile had the transferor died immediately |
|
before the event described by Subsection (a)(1), except that if the |
|
transferor's surviving spouse is living but remarried before the |
|
event, the transferor is considered to have died unmarried |
|
immediately before the event. |
|
(c) On the disclaimer of a preceding interest, a future |
|
interest held by a person other than the disclaimant takes effect as |
|
if the disclaimant had died immediately before the time the |
|
disclaimer takes effect under Section 240.051(c)(1)(A), but a |
|
future interest held by the disclaimant is not accelerated in |
|
possession or enjoyment. |
|
Sec. 240.052. DISCLAIMER OF RIGHTS IN SURVIVORSHIP |
|
PROPERTY. (a) On the death of a holder of survivorship property, a |
|
surviving holder may disclaim, in whole or in part, an interest in |
|
the property of the deceased holder that would have otherwise |
|
passed to the surviving holder by reason of the deceased holder's |
|
death. |
|
(b) If an interest in survivorship property is disclaimed by |
|
a surviving holder of the property: |
|
(1) the disclaimer: |
|
(A) takes effect as of the time of the deceased |
|
holder's death; and |
|
(B) relates back for all purposes to the time of |
|
the deceased holder's death; and |
|
(2) the disclaimed interest is not subject to the |
|
claims of any creditor of the disclaimant. |
|
(c) An interest in survivorship property disclaimed by a |
|
surviving holder of the property passes as if the disclaimant |
|
predeceased the holder to whose death the disclaimer relates. |
|
Sec. 240.053. DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST BY TRUSTEE. (a) If a |
|
trustee disclaims an interest in property that otherwise would have |
|
become trust property: |
|
(1) the interest does not become trust property; |
|
(2) the disclaimer: |
|
(A) takes effect as of the time the trust became |
|
irrevocable; and |
|
(B) relates back for all purposes to the time the |
|
trust became irrevocable; and |
|
(3) the disclaimed interest is not subject to the |
|
claims of any creditor of the trustee, the trust, or any trust |
|
beneficiary. |
|
(b) If the instrument creating the disclaimed interest |
|
contains a provision that provides for the disposition of the |
|
interest if the interest were to be disclaimed, the disclaimed |
|
interest passes according to that provision. |
|
(c) If the instrument creating the disclaimed interest does |
|
not contain a provision described by Subsection (b), the disclaimed |
|
interest passes as if: |
|
(1) all of the current beneficiaries, presumptive |
|
remainder beneficiaries, and contingent beneficiaries of the trust |
|
affected by the disclaimer who are individuals died before the |
|
trust became irrevocable; and |
|
(2) all beneficiaries of the trust affected by the |
|
disclaimer who are not individuals ceased to exist without |
|
successor organizations and without substitution of beneficiaries |
|
under the cy pres doctrine before the trust became irrevocable. |
|
(d) Subsection (c) applies only for purposes of determining |
|
the disposition of an interest in property disclaimed by a trustee |
|
that otherwise would have become trust property and applies only |
|
with respect to the trust affected by the disclaimer. Subsection |
|
(c) does not apply with respect to other trusts governed by the |
|
instrument and does not apply for other purposes under the |
|
instrument or under the laws of intestacy. |
|
Sec. 240.054. DISCLAIMER OF POWER OF APPOINTMENT OR OTHER |
|
POWER NOT HELD IN FIDUCIARY CAPACITY. (a) If a holder disclaims a |
|
power of appointment or other power not held in a fiduciary |
|
capacity, this section applies. |
|
(b) If the holder: |
|
(1) has not exercised the power, the disclaimer takes |
|
effect as of the time the instrument creating the power becomes |
|
irrevocable; or |
|
(2) has exercised the power and the disclaimer is of a |
|
power other than a presently exercisable general power of |
|
appointment, the disclaimer takes effect immediately after the last |
|
exercise of the power. |
|
(c) The instrument creating the power is construed as if the |
|
power had expired when the disclaimer became effective. |
|
Sec. 240.055. DISCLAIMER BY APPOINTEE OF, OR OBJECT OR |
|
TAKER IN DEFAULT OF EXERCISE OF, POWER OF APPOINTMENT. (a) A |
|
disclaimer of an interest in property by an appointee of a power of |
|
appointment takes effect as of the time the instrument by which the |
|
holder exercises the power becomes irrevocable. |
|
(b) A disclaimer of an interest in property by an object or |
|
taker in default of an exercise of a power of appointment takes |
|
effect as of the time the instrument creating the power becomes |
|
irrevocable. |
|
Sec. 240.056. DISCLAIMER OF POWER HELD IN FIDUCIARY |
|
CAPACITY. (a) If a person designated to serve or serving as a |
|
fiduciary disclaims a power held or to be held in a fiduciary |
|
capacity that has not been exercised, the disclaimer takes effect |
|
as of the time the instrument creating the power becomes |
|
irrevocable. |
|
(b) If a person designated to serve or serving as a |
|
fiduciary disclaims a power held or to be held in a fiduciary |
|
capacity that has been exercised, the disclaimer takes effect |
|
immediately after the last exercise of the power. |
|
(c) A disclaimer subject to this section is effective as to |
|
another person designated to serve or serving as a fiduciary if: |
|
(1) the disclaimer provides that it is effective as to |
|
another person designated to serve or serving as a fiduciary; and |
|
(2) the person disclaiming has the authority to bind |
|
the estate, trust, or other person for whom the person is acting. |
|
Sec. 240.057. TAX QUALIFIED DISCLAIMER. (a) In this |
|
section, "Internal Revenue Code" has the meaning assigned by |
|
Section 111.004. |
|
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, |
|
if, as a result of a disclaimer or transfer, the disclaimed or |
|
transferred interest is treated under the Internal Revenue Code as |
|
never having been transferred to the disclaimant, the disclaimer or |
|
transfer is effective as a disclaimer under this chapter. |
|
Sec. 240.058. PARTIAL DISCLAIMER BY SPOUSE. A disclaimer |
|
by a decedent's surviving spouse of an interest in property |
|
transferred as the result of the death of the decedent is not a |
|
disclaimer by the surviving spouse of any other transfer from the |
|
decedent to or for the benefit of the surviving spouse, regardless |
|
of whether the interest that would have passed under the disclaimed |
|
transfer passes because of the disclaimer to or for the benefit of |
|
the surviving spouse by the other transfer. |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. DELIVERY OR FILING |
|
Sec. 240.101. DELIVERY OR FILING GENERALLY. (a) Subject to |
|
applicable requirements of this subchapter, a disclaimant may |
|
deliver a disclaimer by personal delivery, first-class mail, |
|
facsimile, e-mail, or any other method likely to result in the |
|
disclaimer's receipt. |
|
(b) If a disclaimer is mailed to the intended recipient by |
|
certified mail, return receipt requested, at an address the |
|
disclaimant in good faith believes is likely to result in the |
|
disclaimer's receipt, delivery is considered to have occurred on |
|
the date of mailing regardless of receipt. |
|
Sec. 240.102. DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST CREATED UNDER |
|
INTESTATE SUCCESSION OR WILL. In the case of an interest created |
|
under the law of intestate succession or an interest created by |
|
will, other than an interest in a testamentary trust: |
|
(1) a disclaimer must be delivered to the personal |
|
representative of the decedent's estate; or |
|
(2) if no personal representative is then serving, a |
|
disclaimer must be filed in the official public records of any |
|
county in which the decedent: |
|
(A) was domiciled on the date of the decedent's |
|
death; or |
|
(B) owned real property. |
|
Sec. 240.103. DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST IN TESTAMENTARY TRUST. |
|
In the case of an interest in a testamentary trust: |
|
(1) a disclaimer must be delivered to the trustee then |
|
serving; |
|
(2) if no trustee is then serving, a disclaimer must be |
|
delivered to the personal representative of the decedent's estate; |
|
or |
|
(3) if no trustee or personal representative is then |
|
serving, a disclaimer must be filed in the official public records |
|
of any county in which the decedent: |
|
(A) was domiciled on the date of the decedent's |
|
death; or |
|
(B) owned real property. |
|
Sec. 240.104. DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST IN INTER VIVOS TRUST. |
|
In the case of an interest in an inter vivos trust: |
|
(1) a disclaimer must be delivered to the trustee then |
|
serving, or, if no trustee is then serving, a disclaimer must be |
|
filed: |
|
(A) with a court having jurisdiction to enforce |
|
the trust; or |
|
(B) in the official public records of the county |
|
in which: |
|
(i) the situs of administration of the |
|
trust is maintained; or |
|
(ii) the settlor is domiciled or was |
|
domiciled on the date of the settlor's death; and |
|
(2) if a disclaimer is made before the time the |
|
instrument creating the trust becomes irrevocable, a disclaimer |
|
must be delivered to the settlor of a revocable trust or the |
|
transferor of the interest. |
|
Sec. 240.105. DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST CREATED BY BENEFICIARY |
|
DESIGNATION. (a) In this section, "beneficiary designation" means |
|
an instrument, other than an instrument creating a trust, naming |
|
the beneficiary of: |
|
(1) an annuity or insurance policy; |
|
(2) an account with a designation for payment on |
|
death; |
|
(3) a security registered in beneficiary form; |
|
(4) a pension, profit-sharing, retirement, or other |
|
employment-related benefit plan; or |
|
(5) any other nonprobate transfer at death. |
|
(b) In the case of an interest created by a beneficiary |
|
designation that is disclaimed before the designation becomes |
|
irrevocable, the disclaimer must be delivered to the person making |
|
the beneficiary designation. |
|
(c) In the case of an interest created by a beneficiary |
|
designation that is disclaimed after the designation becomes |
|
irrevocable: |
|
(1) a disclaimer of an interest in personal property |
|
must be delivered to the person obligated to distribute the |
|
interest; and |
|
(2) a disclaimer of an interest in real property must |
|
be recorded in the official public records of the county where the |
|
real property that is the subject of the disclaimer is located. |
|
Sec. 240.106. DISCLAIMER BY SURVIVING HOLDER OF |
|
SURVIVORSHIP PROPERTY. In the case of a disclaimer by a surviving |
|
holder of survivorship property, the disclaimer must be delivered |
|
to the person to whom the disclaimed interest passes. |
|
Sec. 240.107. DISCLAIMER BY OBJECT OR TAKER IN DEFAULT OF |
|
EXERCISE OF POWER OF APPOINTMENT. In the case of a disclaimer by an |
|
object or taker in default of an exercise of a power of appointment |
|
at any time after the power was created: |
|
(1) the disclaimer must be delivered to the holder of |
|
the power or to the fiduciary acting under the instrument that |
|
created the power; or |
|
(2) if no fiduciary is then serving, the disclaimer |
|
must be filed: |
|
(A) with a court having authority to appoint the |
|
fiduciary; or |
|
(B) in the official public records of the county |
|
in which the creator of the power is domiciled or was domiciled on |
|
the date of the creator's death. |
|
Sec. 240.108. DISCLAIMER BY CERTAIN APPOINTEES. In the |
|
case of a disclaimer by an appointee of a nonfiduciary power of |
|
appointment: |
|
(1) the disclaimer must be delivered to the holder, |
|
the personal representative of the holder's estate, or the |
|
fiduciary under the instrument that created the power; or |
|
(2) if no fiduciary is then serving, the disclaimer |
|
must be filed: |
|
(A) with a court having authority to appoint the |
|
fiduciary; or |
|
(B) in the official public records of the county |
|
in which the creator of the power is domiciled or was domiciled on |
|
the date of the creator's death. |
|
Sec. 240.109. DISCLAIMER BY CERTAIN FIDUCIARIES. In the |
|
case of a disclaimer by a fiduciary of a power over a trust or |
|
estate, the disclaimer must be delivered as provided by Section |
|
240.102, 240.103, or 240.104 as if the power disclaimed were an |
|
interest in property. |
|
Sec. 240.110. DISCLAIMER OF POWER BY AGENT. In the case of |
|
a disclaimer of a power by an agent, the disclaimer must be |
|
delivered to the principal or the principal's representative. |
|
Sec. 240.111. RECORDING OF DISCLAIMER. If an instrument |
|
transferring an interest in or power over property subject to a |
|
disclaimer is required or authorized by law to be filed, recorded, |
|
or registered, the disclaimer may be filed, recorded, or registered |
|
as that instrument. Except as otherwise provided by Section |
|
240.105(c)(2), failure to file, record, or register the disclaimer |
|
does not affect the disclaimer's validity between the disclaimant |
|
and persons to whom the property interest or power passes by reason |
|
of the disclaimer. |
|
SUBCHAPTER D. DISCLAIMER BARRED OR LIMITED |
|
Sec. 240.151. WHEN DISCLAIMER BARRED OR LIMITED. (a) A |
|
disclaimer is barred by a written waiver of the right to disclaim. |
|
(b) A disclaimer of an interest in property is barred if any |
|
of the following events occur before the disclaimer becomes |
|
effective: |
|
(1) the disclaimant accepts the interest sought to be |
|
disclaimed by: |
|
(A) taking possession of the interest; or |
|
(B) exercising dominion and control over the |
|
interest; |
|
(2) the disclaimant voluntarily assigns, conveys, |
|
encumbers, pledges, or transfers the interest sought to be |
|
disclaimed or contracts to do so; or |
|
(3) the interest sought to be disclaimed is sold under |
|
a judicial sale. |
|
(c) The acceptance of an interest in property by a person in |
|
the person's fiduciary capacity is not an acceptance of the |
|
interest in the person's individual capacity and does not bar the |
|
person from disclaiming the interest in the person's individual |
|
capacity. |
|
(d) A disclaimer, in whole or in part, of the future |
|
exercise of a power held in a fiduciary capacity is not barred by |
|
the previous exercise of the power. |
|
(e) A disclaimer, in whole or in part, of the future |
|
exercise of a power not held in a fiduciary capacity is not barred |
|
by the previous exercise of the power unless the power is |
|
exercisable in favor of the disclaimant. |
|
(f) A disclaimer of: |
|
(1) a power over property that is barred by this |
|
section is ineffective; and |
|
(2) an interest in property that is barred by this |
|
section takes effect as a transfer of the interest disclaimed to the |
|
persons who would have taken the interest under Subchapter B had the |
|
disclaimer not been barred. |
|
(g) A disclaimer by a child support obligor is barred as to |
|
disclaimed property that could be applied to satisfy the |
|
disclaimant's child support obligations if those obligations have |
|
been: |
|
(1) administratively determined by the Title IV-D |
|
agency as defined by Section 101.033, Family Code, in a Title IV-D |
|
case as defined by Section 101.034, Family Code; or |
|
(2) confirmed and reduced to judgment as provided by |
|
Section 157.263, Family Code. |
|
(h) If Subsection (g) applies, the child support obligee to |
|
whom child support arrearages are owed may enforce the child |
|
support obligation against the disclaimant as to disclaimed |
|
property by a lien or by any other remedy provided by law. |
|
SECTION 16. The following provisions are repealed: |
|
(1) Sections 122.003, 122.004, and 122.005, Estates |
|
Code; |
|
(2) Subchapters B, C, and D, Chapter 122, Estates |
|
Code; |
|
(3) Section 122.203, Estates Code; and |
|
(4) Sections 112.010(c), (c-1), (c-2), (d), and (e), |
|
Property Code. |
|
SECTION 17. Title 13, Property Code, as added by this Act, |
|
applies to an interest in or power over property existing on or |
|
after the effective date of this Act if the time for delivering or |
|
filing a disclaimer under former law, including the time for filing |
|
a written memorandum of disclaimer under Section 122.055, Estates |
|
Code, the time for delivering notice of the disclaimer under |
|
Section 122.056, Estates Code, or the time for delivering a written |
|
memorandum of disclaimer under Section 112.010, Property Code, as |
|
those sections existed immediately before the effective date of |
|
this Act, has not elapsed. If the time for filing or delivering |
|
notice of a written memorandum of disclaimer under former law has |
|
elapsed, the former law applies and is continued in effect for that |
|
purpose. |
|
SECTION 18. Sections 122.201, 122.202, 122.204, and |
|
122.205, Estates Code, as amended by this Act, apply to property or |
|
an interest in or power over property existing on or after the |
|
effective date of this Act if the time for delivering or filing an |
|
assignment under former law, including the time for filing an |
|
assignment under Section 122.202, Estates Code, or the time for |
|
delivering notice of the filing of assignment under Section |
|
122.203, Estates Code, as those sections existed immediately before |
|
the effective date of this Act, has not elapsed. If the time for |
|
filing or delivering notice of an assignment under former law has |
|
elapsed, the former law applies and is continued in effect for that |
|
purpose. |
|
SECTION 19. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
|
|
|
* * * * * |