Indian Trusts Act, 1882
10. Who may be trustee
Every person capable of holding property may be a trustee; but,
where the trust involves the exercise of discretion, he cannot execute it
unless he is competent to contract.
No one bound to accept trust : No one is bound
to accept a trust.
Acceptance of trust: A trust is accepted by any words or
acts of the trustee indicating with reasonable certainty such acceptance.
Disclaimer of trust : Instead of accepting a trust, the
intended trustee may, within a reasonable period, disclaim it, and such
disclaimer shall prevent the trust-property from vesting in him.
A disclaimer by one of two or more co-trustees vests the
trust-property in the other or others, and makes him or them sole trustee or
trustees from the date of the creation of the trust.
Illustrations
(a) A bequeaths certain property to B and C, his executors, as
trustees for D. B and C prove A's will. This is in itself an acceptance of the
trust, and B and C hold the property in trust for D.
(b) A transfers certain property to B in trust to sell it and to
pay out of the proceeds A's debts. B accepts the trust and sells the property.
So far as regards B, a trust of the proceeds is created for A's creditors.
(c) A bequeaths a lakh of rupees to B upon certain trusts and
appoints him his executor. B severs the lakh from the general assets and
appropriates it to the specific purpose. This is an acceptance of the trust.