In a judicial proceeding involving the administration of a trust, the court, as justice and equity may require, may award costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, to any party, to be paid by another party or from the trust that is the subject of the controversy.
History: Laws 2003, ch. 122, § 10-1004.
Effective dates. — Laws 2003, ch. 122, § 11-1106 made the act effective July 1, 2003.
Award of attorney fees is discretionary with the district court. — An award of attorney fees is a matter within the district court's discretion. Khalsa v. Puri, 2015-NMCA-027, cert. denied, 2015-NMCERT-001.
Where defendant claimed that plaintiff waived an award of attorney fees by failing to request attorney fees in the pleadings, the claim that a request for attorney fees is waived unless it is pleaded is not supported by authority; the district court did not abuse its discretion in awarding attorney fees based on the years of litigation over numerous issues, plaintiff's failure to present any direct evidence to support her claims, and in defendants' success in defending the claims. Khalsa v. Puri, 2015-NMCA-027, cert. denied, 2015-NMCERT-001.
Law reviews. — For article, "The New Mexico Uniform Trust Code," see 34 N.M.L. Rev. 1 (2004).
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 46A - Uniform Trust Code
Article 10 - Liability of Trustees and Rights of Persons Dealing with Trustees
Section 46A-10-1001 - Breach of trust.
Section 46A-10-1002 - Damages for breach of trust.
Section 46A-10-1003 - Damages in absence of breach.
Section 46A-10-1004 - Attorney fees and costs.
Section 46A-10-1005 - Limitation of action against trustee.
Section 46A-10-1006 - Reliance on trust instrument.
Section 46A-10-1007 - Event affecting administration or distribution.
Section 46A-10-1008 - Exculpation of trustee.
Section 46A-10-1009 - Beneficiary's consent, release or ratification.
Section 46A-10-1010 - Limitation on personal liability of trustee.
Section 46A-10-1011 - Interest as general partner.
Section 46A-10-1012 - Protection of person dealing with trustee.