Which doctrine allows modification of administrative and distributive provisions when changed circumstances unanticipated by the settlor would defeat or substantially impair the trust's purposes?

• A. Spendthrift doctrine
• B. Equitable deviation doctrine
• C. Claflin doctrine
• D. No doctrine allows

Answer: (B)

When a trust’s aims would be thwarted by events the settlor didn’t foresee, a court can use the equitable deviation doctrine to adjust how the trust is run and how distributions are made so the overall purpose can still be achieved. This doctrine is about flexibility in administration and funding decisions—modifying administrative provisions and the way distributions are made—to preserve the trust’s goals in the face of changed circumstances, rather than sticking rigidly to the original terms. The modification must be narrowly tailored to accomplish the trust’s purpose and not undermine its fundamental intent.

The spendthrift doctrine isn’t about adjusting terms to preserve purpose; it mainly protects a beneficiary from creditors and limits transferability of the beneficiary’s interests. The Claflin doctrine also permits court intervention to carry out the settlor’s intent in certain cases, but the specific scenario described—adjusting administrative and distributive provisions due to unforeseen changes—best fits the equitable deviation approach.