D.C. Code § 19-2109: Duty and liability of directed trustee

(a)

Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a directed trustee shall take reasonable action to comply with a trust director's exercise or nonexercise of a power of direction or further power under § 19-2106(b)(1), and the trustee is not liable for the action.

(b)

A directed trustee shall not comply with a trust director's exercise or nonexercise of a power of direction or further power under § 19-2106(b)(1) to the extent that by complying the trustee would engage in willful misconduct.

(c)

An exercise of a power of direction under which a trust director may release a trustee or another trust director from liability for breach of trust is not effective if:

(1)

The breach involved the trustee's or other director's willful misconduct;

(2)

The release was induced by improper conduct of the trustee or other director in procuring the release; or

(3)

At the time of the release, the director did not know the material facts relating to the breach.

(d)

A directed trustee that has reasonable doubt about its duty under this section may petition the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for instructions.

(e)

The terms of a trust may impose a duty or liability on a directed trustee in addition to the duties and liabilities under this section.