# Estates and Trusts (GET) ## Title 14.5. Maryland Trust Act ### Subtitle 3. Representation #### Section 14.5-301 (a) Except as required by the applicable rules of civil procedure in a judicial proceeding, notice to a person that is authorized to represent and bind another person under this subtitle has the same effect as if notice were given directly to the other person unless the person represented objects to the representation by notifying the trustee and the representative before the notice would otherwise have become effective. (b) The consent of a person that is authorized to represent and bind another person under this subtitle is binding on the person represented unless the person represented objects to the representation by notifying the trustee and the representative before the consent would otherwise have become effective. (c) Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 14.5-602 of this title, a person that under this subtitle is authorized to represent a settlor that lacks capacity may receive notice and give a binding consent on behalf of the settlor. (d) A representative may act on behalf of the individual represented with respect to a matter arising under this title, whether or not a judicial proceeding concerning the trust is pending. (e) In making decisions as a representative of an individual, the representative may consider the general benefit accruing to the living members of the family of the individual. #### Section 14.5-302 (a) The holder of a qualified power of appointment may represent and bind persons whose interests as permissible appointees or takers in default are subject to the power. (b) A qualified power of appointment is: (1) A general power of appointment; or (2) A power of appointment exercisable in favor of all persons other than the power holder, the estate of the power holder, the creditors of the power holder, and the creditors of the estate of the power holder. #### Section 14.5-303 To the extent there is no conflict of interest between the representative and the person represented or among those being represented with respect to a particular question or dispute: (1) A guardian of the property may represent and bind the minor or disabled person; (2) A guardian of the person may represent and bind the minor or disabled person if a guardian of the property has not been appointed; (3) An agent having specific authority to act with respect to trust matters may represent and bind the principal; (4) A trustee of a trust that is a beneficiary of another trust may represent and bind the beneficiaries of the trust that is the beneficiary of the other trust; (5) A personal representative of the estate of a decedent that is a beneficiary of a trust may represent and bind interested persons in the estate; (6) A parent may represent and bind the minor, incapacitated, unborn, or unknown child of the parent or child of the parent whose location is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable if a guardian of the property or guardian of the person for the child has not been appointed; and (7) If a minor, an incapacitated, unborn, or unknown individual or an individual whose location is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable is not otherwise represented under this section, a grandparent or more remote ancestor may represent and bind the individual. #### Section 14.5-304 Unless otherwise represented, a minor, an incapacitated or unborn individual, or an individual whose identity or location is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable, may be represented by and bound by a representative having a substantially identical interest with respect to a particular question or dispute, but only to the extent that there is no conflict of interest between the representative and the individual represented with respect to the question or dispute. #### Section 14.5-305 (a) If the court determines that an interest is not represented under this subtitle or that the otherwise available representation might be inadequate, the court may appoint a representative to receive notice, give consent, and otherwise represent, bind, and act on behalf of a minor, an incapacitated individual, an unborn individual, or a person whose identity or location is unknown or is not reasonably ascertainable as long as there is no conflict of interest between the representative and the person represented or among those being represented with respect to a particular question or dispute. (b) A representative may be appointed to represent several persons or interests under this title. #### Section 14.5-306 (a) A settlor may: (1) Designate one or more persons who may serve as a representative or successor representative of a beneficiary of the trust; (2) Designate one or more other persons who may designate a representative or successor representative of a beneficiary of the trust; and (3) Specify the order of priority among two or more persons who are authorized under this title to serve as a representative or successor representative of a beneficiary of the trust. (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, except as provided in Sec. 14.5-303 of this subtitle, a person designated under subsection (a) of this section may not serve as a representative of a beneficiary of a trust if the person serves as a trustee of the same trust. (c) (1) A representative designated under subsection (a) of this section may be held liable to the beneficiary on whose behalf the representative acts only if: (i) The representative has undertaken or agreed to represent the beneficiary; and (ii) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the representative's action or failure to act is proven by clear and convincing evidence to have been in bad faith with respect to the beneficiary. (2) For purposes of determining liability under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, a representative acts, or fails to act, in bad faith only if: (i) The action or inaction was the result of intentional wrongdoing by the representative; or (ii) The representative acted, or failed to act, with reckless indifference to the purposes of the trust or the interests of the beneficiary on whose behalf the representative acted. --- Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)