“Total Return” Trusts: Prudent Investing And The Impartiality Issues

Edward C. Halbach

May 7, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part 1. PRINCIPLES OF PRUDENCE UNDER THE “PRUDENT INVESTOR RULE” (An Overview of the Uniform Prudent Investor Act: Content and Implications)

2
  I. Historical Background and Objectives 2
  II. Understanding the Prudent Investor Rule 4
  III. The Prudent Investor Act: Key Provisions 9
  IV. Principles of Prudence and Associated Fiduciary Duties 10
  V. Some Concluding Observations 13
Part II.  IMPARTIALITY AND “TOTAL RETURN” INVESTING 14
  I.

Background: Introduction to the Problem and the Principles

14
  II. Understanding the Duty of Impartiality: a Closer Look 15
  III.

Understanding the Associated Duty of  (Income) Productivity

17
  IV.

Solutions: Methods of Coping with Underproductive or Overproductive Portfolios

22
  V.

The Recent Widespread Legislation (with Unitrust Conversion in Some States)

24
  VI. Treasury and IRS Approval 26

Appendix.  MODERNIZED TRUST INVESTMENT LAW IN THE NEW RESTATEMENT

A1