A. A custodian shall:
(1) take control of custodial property;
(2) register or record title to custodial property if appropriate; and
(3) collect, hold, manage, invest, and reinvest custodial property.
B. In dealing with custodial property, a custodian shall observe the standard of care that would be observed by a prudent person dealing with property of another and is not limited by any other statute restricting investments by fiduciaries. If a custodian has a special skill or expertise or is named custodian on the basis of representations of a special skill or expertise, the custodian shall use that skill or expertise. However, a custodian, in the custodian's discretion and without liability to the minor or the minor's estate, may retain any custodial property received from a transferor.
C. A custodian may invest in or pay premiums on life insurance or endowment policies on:
(1) the life of the minor only if the minor or the minor's estate is the sole beneficiary; or
(2) the life of another person in whom the minor has an insurable interest only to the extent that the minor, the minor's estate or the custodian in the capacity of custodian is the irrevocable beneficiary.
D. A custodian at all times shall keep custodial property separate and distinct from all other property in a manner sufficient to identify it clearly as custodial property of the minor. Custodial property consisting of an undivided interest is so identified if the minor's interest is held as a tenant in common and is fixed. Custodial property subject to recordation is so identified if it is recorded, and custodial property subject to registration is so identified if it is either registered, or held in an account designated, in the name of the custodian, followed in substance by the words: "as a custodian for
____________________ (name of minor) under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act".
E. A custodian shall keep records of all transactions with respect to custodial property, including information necessary for the preparation of the minor's tax returns, and shall make them available for inspection at reasonable intervals by a parent or legal representative of the minor or by the minor if the minor has attained the age of fourteen years.
History: Laws 1989, ch. 357, § 13.
Treasurer and board of finance subject to "prudent person" test. — The state treasurer and the state board of finance in selecting proper investments for investment of the permanent funds belonging to the museum of New Mexico are subject to the "prudent person" test in this section. 1964 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 64-29.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 46 - Fiduciaries and Trusts
Article 7 - Transfers to Minors
Section 46-7-1 to 46-7-10 - Repealed.
Section 46-7-11 - Short title.
Section 46-7-12 - Definitions.
Section 46-7-13 - Scope and jurisdiction.
Section 46-7-14 - Nomination of custodian.
Section 46-7-15 - Transfer by gift or exercise of power of appointment.
Section 46-7-16 - Transfer authorized by will or trust.
Section 46-7-17 - Other transfer by fiduciary.
Section 46-7-18 - Transfer by obligor.
Section 46-7-19 - Receipt for custodial property.
Section 46-7-21 - Single custodianship.
Section 46-7-22 - Validity and effect of transfer.
Section 46-7-23 - Care of custodial property.
Section 46-7-24 - Powers of custodian.
Section 46-7-25 - Use of custodial property.
Section 46-7-26 - Custodian's expenses, compensation and bond.
Section 46-7-27 - Exemption of third person from liability.
Section 46-7-28 - Liability to third persons.
Section 46-7-30 - Accounting by and determination of liability of custodian.
Section 46-7-31 - Termination of custodianship.
Section 46-7-32 - Applicability.
Section 46-7-33 - Effect on existing custodianships.
Section 46-7-34 - Uniformity of application and construction.