55-5-16. Delegation of responsibilities to others.
A trustee has a duty to personally perform the responsibilities of the trusteeship except as a prudent person might delegate those responsibilities to others. In deciding whether, to whom, and in what manner to delegate fiduciary authority in the administration of a trust, and thereafter in monitoring agents, the trustee may seek the prior approval for the delegation from the settlor, a trust protector, or if the settlor is deceased, the majority of the current income or principal beneficiaries, or from the court. If such approval is given in writing by either the settlor, a trust protector, or if the settlor is deceased, the majority of the current income or principal beneficiaries, or by the court, the trustee is not liable for the acts of the person to whom the authority is delegated except in the cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence by the delegating trustee in the selection or monitoring of the agent.
Source: SL 1996, ch 284, §3; SL 1998, ch 282, §42; SL 2011, ch 212, §2; SL 2018, ch 275, §27; SL 2021, ch 207, § 14.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 55 - Fiduciaries and Trusts
Chapter 05 - Investment And Management Powers Of Fiduciaries
Section 55-5-6 - Standards for investing and managing assets.
Section 55-5-7 - Prudent investor rule.
Section 55-5-8 - Diversification of investments.
Section 55-5-10 - Investment strategy--Productivity judged by whole portfolio.
Section 55-5-11 - Circumstances considered in investment decisions.
Section 55-5-12 - Precedence of express provisions of trust instrument.
Section 55-5-13 - Court authority over trustee.
Section 55-5-14 - Authorization language.
Section 55-5-15 - Applicability of chapter.
Section 55-5-16 - Delegation of responsibilities to others.
Section 55-5-17 - Duties of trustee with respect to life insurance--Notice to settlor.