§ 36C‑7‑704. Vacancy in trusteeship; appointment of successor.

(a) A vacancy in atrusteeship occurs if:

(1) A person designatedas trustee rejects the trusteeship;

(2) A person designatedas trustee cannot be identified or does not exist;

(3) A trustee resigns;

(4) A trustee isdisqualified or removed;

(5) A trustee dies; or

(6) A general guardian,guardian of the estate, or guardian of the person is appointed for anindividual serving as trustee.

(b) If one or morecotrustees remain in office, a vacancy in a trusteeship need not be filled. Avacancy in a trusteeship must be filled if the trust has no remaining trustee.

(c) A vacancy in atrusteeship of a noncharitable trust that is required to be filled must befilled in the following order of priority:

(1) By a persondesignated in the terms of the trust or appointed under the terms of the trustto act as successor trustee;

(2) By a personappointed by unanimous agreement of the qualified beneficiaries; or

(3) By a personappointed by the court.

(d) A vacancy in atrusteeship of a charitable trust that is required to be filled must be filledin the following order of priority:

(1) By a persondesignated in the terms of the trust or appointed under the terms of the trustto act as successor trustee;

(2) By a person selectedby majority agreement of the qualified beneficiaries, if the trust is a split‑interestcharitable trust;

(2a) By a person selectedby majority agreement of the charitable organizations expressly designated toreceive distributions under the terms of the trust; or

(3) By a personappointed by the court.

(e) Whether or not avacancy in a trusteeship exists or is required to be filled, the court mayappoint an additional trustee or special fiduciary whenever the court considersthe appointment necessary for the administration of the trust.

(f) A successortrustee shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and privileges, and is subjectto all the duties, liabilities, and responsibilities that were imposed upon theoriginal trustee, unless a contrary intent appears from the governinginstrument or unless the order appointing the successor trustee providesotherwise. (1911,c. 39, s. 8; C.S., s. 4032; 1977, c. 502, s. 2; 2001‑413, s. 1; 2003‑261,s. 6; 2005‑192, s. 2; 2007‑106, s. 30.)