The trust document comes first. Read its amendment article carefully and follow every required step. A state-law fallback may be available when the trust is silent or its method is not exclusive, but that varies significantly by state.
Last reviewed: September 21, 2026
Important: Do not use an amendment after the trust has become irrevocable unless the governing instrument and law permit the change. Changes involving witnesses, beneficiaries, tax planning, incapacity, or real estate deserve attorney review.
How to use the Trust Amendment chart
Read the amendment provisions in the original trust before completing the form. Follow every method, delivery requirement, signature requirement, or limitation stated in the trust, then use the state row to identify any additional rule that may apply.
| State | Primary authority | Amendment method | Practical execution note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Ala. Code § 19-3B-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; if none, use clear and convincing evidence of intent. | Use a signed written amendment and retain proof of delivery when applicable. |
| Alaska | Alaska Stat. §§ 13.36.338–13.36.340 | Substantially comply with the trust method or use a signed, delivered nonwill writing. | Check any trust-specific limits before signing. |
| Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 14-10602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Arkansas | Ark. Code § 28-73-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| California | Cal. Prob. Code §§ 15401–15402 | Follow the trust method; an alternate signed nonwill writing delivered during life is allowed unless the trust makes its method exclusive. | Delivery to the trustee is important. |
| Colorado | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-5-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Connecticut | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-499mm | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Delaware | 12 Del. C. §§ 3303, 3545 | The trust instrument and Delaware law control; no universal statutory fallback. | Special witness or disinterested-trustee formalities can apply to covered survivorship changes. |
| Florida | Fla. Stat. §§ 736.0403, 736.0601–736.0602 | Use the trust method; statutory fallback generally applies only when the trust provides no method. | Testamentary aspects of a Florida domiciliary trust may require two witnesses in mutual presence. |
| Georgia | Ga. Code §§ 53-12-40–53-12-43 | The settlor must have expressly reserved amendment power and use a signed writing. | Follow every method and notice term in the trust. |
| Hawaii | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 554D-602 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Idaho | Idaho Code §§ 15-7-301, 15-7-302 | The reserved power and trust instrument control; no universal statutory fallback. | Follow every method stated in the trust. |
| Illinois | 760 ILCS 3/602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Indiana | Ind. Code § 30-4-3-1.5 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Iowa | Iowa Code §§ 633A.3102–633A.3103 | Follow the method in the trust or the statutory written method if available. | Use a signed writing and document delivery to the trustee. |
| Kansas | Kan. Stat. § 58a-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Kentucky | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 386B.6-020 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Louisiana | La. Rev. Stat. §§ 9:2021–9:2025, 9:2051 | Amendment is allowed only if reserved; all surviving competent settlors act. | Use an authentic act or a private act before two witnesses and acknowledged; provide a copy to the trustee. |
| Maine | 18-B Me. Rev. Stat. § 602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Maryland | Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 14.5-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Massachusetts | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 203E, § 602 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Michigan | Mich. Comp. Laws § 700.7602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Minnesota | Minn. Stat. § 501C.0602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Mississippi | Miss. Code § 91-8-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Missouri | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 456.6-602 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Montana | Mont. Code § 72-38-602 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Nebraska | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-3854 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Nevada | Nev. Rev. Stat. ch. 163 | The trust instrument and reserved amendment power control; no universal statutory fallback. | Follow every method and notice term in the trust. |
| New Hampshire | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 564-B:6-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| New Jersey | N.J. Stat. § 3B:31-43 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| New Mexico | N.M. Stat. § 46A-6-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| New York | N.Y. EPTL §§ 7-1.16–7-1.17 | Use a writing; unless the trust provides otherwise, acknowledge it like a deed or use two witnesses. | If the signer is not the sole trustee, give written notice to another trustee. |
| North Carolina | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 36C-6-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 59-12-02 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Ohio | Ohio Rev. Code § 5806.02 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Oklahoma | 60 Okla. Stat. §§ 1610.3, 175.21 | The reserved power and trust method control; no universal statutory fallback. | Follow every method stated in the trust. |
| Oregon | Or. Rev. Stat. § 130.505 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Pennsylvania | 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7752 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Rhode Island | R.I. Gen. Laws tit. 18 | The trust instrument and reserved amendment power control; no general statutory fallback. | Follow every method stated in the trust. |
| South Carolina | S.C. Code § 62-7-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws ch. 55-3 | The trust instrument and reserved amendment power control; no universal statutory fallback. | Follow every method stated in the trust. |
| Tennessee | Tenn. Code § 35-15-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Texas | Tex. Prop. Code § 112.051 | A written trust is amended by a later written instrument unless the trust requires another method. | Follow any exclusive trust procedure; witnesses or notarization are not universal statutory requirements. |
| Utah | Utah Code § 75B-2-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Vermont | 14A V.S.A. § 602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Virginia | Va. Code § 64.2-751 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Washington | Wash. Rev. Code §§ 11.103.020–11.103.030 | The trust must be expressly revocable; use its method or, if absent or nonexclusive, the statutory written method. | A later will, codicil, or signed writing may qualify in the circumstances stated by law. |
| West Virginia | W. Va. Code § 44D-6-602 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Stat. § 701.0602 | Use the trust method; fallback generally applies only if no method is provided. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
| Wyoming | Wyo. Stat. § 4-10-602 | Follow the trust method or substantially comply; statutory fallback applies if permitted. | Use a signed writing delivered to the trustee for best evidence. |
No matching state found.
Important: This guide is a general educational summary. Laws, court rules, recording practices, and institutional requirements can change and may depend on your facts. Review the governing trust and current law, and consult a licensed attorney when you are unsure.