SPRAY PROVISION

Summary

A spray provision (also called a sprinkle provision) is a flexible feature in trust agreements that gives the trustee complete discretion to distribute trust assets unequally among multiple beneficiaries. Think of it like a trustee having a spray bottle - they can direct more 'spray' (money/assets) to some beneficiaries and less to others based on their individual needs, circumstances, or the trust's purposes. This contrasts with mandatory equal distributions where each beneficiary gets the same amount regardless of their situation.

Usage Context

Essential when studying trust administration, estate planning strategies, fiduciary responsibilities, and understanding how trustees manage distributions to multiple beneficiaries with varying needs and circumstances.

Common Confusions

• Thinking spray provisions require equal distributions (they allow unequal ones)
• Confusing spray provisions with mandatory distributions
• Believing beneficiaries have a right to equal treatment under spray provisions
• Assuming trustees can act arbitrarily without considering beneficiaries' best interests
• Mixing up 'spray' and 'sprinkle' as different concepts (they're the same thing)