Trusts have long been central to estate planning, providing a flexible way to manage assets during life and distribute them after death. However, the rules that govern which state’s law applies to a trust — known as conflict-of-laws or “trust situs” rules — were written in a very different era. Those outdated frameworks can create uncertainty for modern, multi-jurisdictional trust planning. Forbes magazine helps us understand the changing conflict of trust law rules.
In 2026, reforms are ushering in a new era of trust law that prioritizes settlor intent and simplifies how trust disputes are resolved. These changes matter for anyone who uses trusts in an estate plan.
Why the Old Trust Conflict Rules No Longer Work
Historically, trust conflicts were resolved through a patchwork of rules that relied on physical factors, such as where the land was located or which state’s probate court had jurisdiction. Those locational “anchors” made sense in a world where most wealth was tied to real property and court-supervised trust administrations were common.
Today’s asset landscape looks very different. Trusts often hold intangible assets, such as financial accounts, that can move easily across state lines, and formal judicial oversight of trust administration is rare. As a result, the old approach can produce confusing and inconsistent results when determining which state’s law governs a trust.
The Shift Toward Simplified, Intent-Driven Rules
Reform efforts by legal scholars and uniform law commissions are driving a new framework that eliminates many of the historical distinctions that once governed trust conflicts. Under the emerging rules:
- The traditional separation between real property and personal property no longer dictates which state’s law applies
- Testamentary trusts (those created at death) and inter vivos trusts (those created during life) are treated under a unified approach
- The settlor’s choice of governing law becomes central, provided there is a meaningful connection to the chosen jurisdiction
- If the designated state has a substantial relation to the trust’s administration, its law may control not only validity but also how the trust is interpreted and administered
This modernization shifts conflict-of-laws analysis from rigid definitions tied to physical location to a more flexible, intent-based model that aligns with today’s trust environment.
What This Means for Trust Design and Administration
These evolving conflict-of-laws principles affect nearly every trust creation and review process. Estate planners must now think strategically about how they draft governing-law provisions and where they situate administrative functions. For example:
- Choosing a jurisdiction should involve more than tax or privacy considerations; it must ensure a meaningful connection to the trust
- Trustees may have greater flexibility to move administration to another state, which could change the trust’s governing law if properly structured
- Uniform trust language can reduce uncertainty about which law applies to different assets and administration tasks
Why Trustees and Estate Planners Should Act Now
As these reforms move toward adoption, trustees and planners should review existing documents to identify trust provisions that might be inconsistent with the new framework. Updating choice-of-law clauses and situs provisions ensures that trust governance remains predictable and aligned with settlor intent.
Proactive review also helps anticipate how different states may adopt the emerging Uniform Conflict of Laws in Trusts and Estates Act, meaning today’s decisions could impact trust administration for decades. Clients, if you have questions about your trust, or know that it needs to be updated, contact us at our office for a free review. Prospective new clients can go online and schedule a free phone consultation with one of our attorneys.
Key Takeaways
- Trust conflict rules are being modernized: The shift moves away from outdated locational anchors toward intent-focused governance
- Settlor intent is central: The law chosen in trust documents matters more when supported by meaningful connections
- Drafting strategies must evolve: Planners should update situs and governing law provisions to fit the new framework
- Proactive review prevents uncertainty: Early updates reduce the risk of litigation or unintended governing law outcomes
Reference: Forbes (Jan. 13, 2026) “How the New Conflicts of Trust Law Rules Will Transform Trust and Estate Planning in 2026”
