(a) Where discretion is conferred upon the fiduciary with respect to the exercise of a power, its exercise by the fiduciary shall be considered to be proper unless the court determines that the discretion has been abused within the meaning of § 187 of the Restatement (Second) of Trusts, not §§ 50 and 60 of the Restatement (Third) of Trusts.
(b) A beneficiary eligible to receive distributions from a trust in the discretion of a trustee or other fiduciary has a discretionary interest in the trust. Discretionary interest in a trust is a mere expectancy, not a property right. A beneficiary eligible to receive distributions from a trust in the discretion of a trustee or other fiduciary, even if subject to an ascertainable standard (as defined in Treas. Reg. § 20.2041-1(c)(2) (26 CFR § 20.2041-1(c)(2)) or any successor provision thereto), has a discretionary interest in the trust. An interest that includes mandatory distribution language such as “shall” but is qualified by discretionary distribution language is a discretionary interest. A creditor may not directly or indirectly compel the distribution of a discretionary interest except to the extent expressly granted by the terms of a governing instrument in accordance with § 3536(a) of this title. Nothing within this subsection shall be deemed to alter the standard of review of the discretion of the trustee or other fiduciary under subsection (a) of this section.
Structure Delaware Code
Title 12 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations
Chapter 33. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
§ 3304. Retention by fiduciary of decedent's or settlor's investments.
§ 3305. Retention by bank or trust company acting as a fiduciary of its own stock.
§ 3306. Deviation from terms of instrument.
§ 3307. Common fund investments by bank or trust company; regulations.
§ 3309. Identification of securities.
§ 3310. Storage of securities.
§ 3311. Deposit of securities in clearing corporation.
§ 3313. Advisers [For application of this section, see 80 Del. Laws, c. 153, § 5].
§ 3314. Limitation on certain fiduciary powers.
§ 3315. Trustee's exercise of discretion; review by court; discretionary interests.
§ 3316. Substituted property; equivalent value; fiduciary duty.
§ 3317. Cofiduciaries and co-nonfiduciaries; duty to keep informed.
§ 3321. Applicability of chapter; definitions.
§ 3322. Fiduciary agency contracts; delegation.
§ 3323. Cofiduciaries and co-nonfiduciaries.
§ 3324. General powers of trustee.
§ 3326. Resignation of an officeholder.
§ 3327. Removal of an officeholder.
§ 3328. Limitation on personal liability of fiduciary.
§ 3329. Effect of no-contest provision.
§ 3335. Effect of formula clauses in certain wills and trusts.
§ 3339. Designated representatives of trusts.
§ 3340. Place of administration [For application of this section, see 80 Del. Laws, c. 153, § 5].
§ 3342. Modification of trust by consent while trustor is living.
§ 3343. Authority to allocate trustee duties among multiple trustees.