RCW 11.98.011: Trust creation—Requirements.

(1) A trust is created only if:

(a) The trustor has capacity to create a trust;

(b) The trustor indicates an intention to create the trust;

(c) The trust has a definite beneficiary or is:

(i) A charitable trust;

(ii) A trust for the care of an animal, as provided in chapter 11.118 RCW; or

(iii) A trust for a noncharitable purpose, as provided in RCW 11.98.015;

(d) The trustee has duties to perform; and

(e) The same person is not the sole trustee and sole beneficiary.

(2) A beneficiary is definite if the beneficiary can be ascertained now or in the future, subject to any applicable rule against perpetuities.

(3) A power in a trustee to select a beneficiary from an indefinite class is valid, except to the extent that the trustee may distribute trust property to himself or herself. If the power is not exercised within a reasonable time, the power fails and the property subject to the power passes to the persons who would have taken the property had the power not been conferred.