NY State — NY Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law

§ 1312 — SECTION 1312 Representative defendants

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Statute text reproduced from nysenate.gov. Not attorney-reviewed for your situation — for reference only.

What is NY RPAPL § 1312?

Quick Answer

This section outlines the legal framework for representing beneficiaries in trust-related proceedings. It specifies that duly qualified trustees or executors can represent all persons entitled to beneficial interests without naming them individually in court actions. Applies to trustees and executors managing trusts or estates.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 1312 SECTION 1312 Representative defendants

RPAPL § 1312

1.Where a trust has been created by will or by deed or by declaration of trust, the trustees of such trust who shall have duly qualified shall be made parties defendant and shall represent all persons who are or may become entitled to a beneficial interest in the property or an undivided share thereof or in the proceeds of sale thereof under and by virtue of said trust and all remaindermen who are or may become entitled to the reversion, remainder or inheritance of the property or the proceeds of sale thereof either before or after the termination of said trust, without naming such beneficiaries or remaindermen as parties defendant. Service of the summons and complaint upon any one of such duly qualified trustees shall be sufficient service upon the trust estate and upon all persons who are or may become entitled to a beneficial interest in the property or an undivided share thereof or in the proceeds of sale thereof and all remaindermen who are or may become entitled to the reversion, remainder or inheritance of the property or the proceeds of sale thereof either before or after the termination of said trust.

2.Whenever the duly qualified executors under a will are made parties defendant they shall represent all of the legatees named in the will and the successors and assigns of such legatees, irrespective of whether or not such legacies are a charge upon the real property, and such legatees, their successors and assigns need not be named as parties defendant. Service of the summons and complaint upon any one of such duly qualified executors shall be sufficient service upon the executors under said will and upon all legatees named in said will, their successors and assigns, irrespective of whether or not such legacies are a charge upon the real property.

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