Our Trust Bill of Rights 

The following principles form the foundation of ethical, legal, and effective trust governance at Frontier Capital Trust, empowering individuals, families, and faith-based organizations to exercise their rights through private trust structures.

1. Right to Private Ownership

Every individual has the right to hold property privately within a trust, ensuring protection from public exposure, unwarranted seizures, and unnecessary government interference. This right aligns with the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause, which guarantees that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
Citation: U.S. Constitution, Amendment V.

2. Right to Contract

The right to contract freely is fundamental and inalienable. Individuals may establish private trust agreements under common law principles, safeguarded by Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits laws impairing the obligation of contracts.
Citation: U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 10.

3. Right to Privacy

Trusts are inherently private legal entities. Frontier Capital Trust upholds strict confidentiality, protecting client information and transactions from unauthorized disclosure. The right to privacy has been reinforced through landmark cases such as Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) and is foundational to the trust relationship.
Citation: Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479 (1965).

4. Right to Tax Efficiency

Trusts structured under Frontier Capital Trust employ lawful strategies to reduce tax liabilities while remaining compliant with federal and state tax codes. Section 643 of the Internal Revenue Code governs the taxation of trusts, allowing for discretionary distributions that may minimize taxable events.
Citation: Internal Revenue Code, § 643.

5. Right to Faith-Based Governance

Faith-based organizations and individuals have the right to establish trusts that reflect their religious values and beliefs. This includes the creation of 508(c)(1)(A) charitable trusts, recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt entities under religious freedom protections guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Citation: U.S. Constitution, Amendment I; IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A).

6. Right to Equitable Control

Grantors and trustees retain equitable control over assets in a trust, ensuring proper delineation between ownership and beneficial use. This principle aligns with common law doctrines that distinguish legal title from equitable interest, fostering clarity in trust governance.
Citation: Restatement (Third) of Trusts § 2 (2003).

7. Right to Flexibility and Customization

Trust provisions may be tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of grantors and beneficiaries. Frontier Capital Trust ensures that flexibility is preserved within the boundaries of trust law, as recognized in case law such as In re Estate of Brown (2003).
Citation: In re Estate of Brown, 49 P.3d 432 (Kan. Ct. App. 2002).

8. Right to Asset Protection

Assets placed within a properly structured trust enjoy significant protection from creditors, lawsuits, and other liabilities. This protection is reinforced by spendthrift provisions, upheld in cases such as Patterson v. Shumate (1992).
Citation: Patterson v. Shumate, 504 U.S. 753 (1992).

9. Right to Due Process

Trustees and beneficiaries are entitled to fair and equitable treatment under law. Disputes involving trusts must follow legal due process principles, ensuring justice and efficiency in resolution.
Citation: U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV.

10. Right to Transparency and Accountability

Trustees have a fiduciary duty to maintain accurate records and provide clear reports to beneficiaries. This accountability is central to trust law and has been reaffirmed in numerous cases, such as Bogert’s Trusts and Trustees § 961 (2018).
Citation: Bogert, George G. "Trusts and Trustees," § 961.

11. Right to Constitutional Protections

Private trusts are established in alignment with constitutional protections, including rights to religious freedom, freedom of association, and due process. Frontier Capital Trust designs trust structures to ensure these rights are upheld.
Citation: U.S. Constitution, Amendments I and XIV.

12. Right to Legacy Preservation

Trusts serve as tools for individuals to preserve their legacy by ensuring assets are managed and distributed according to their values and intentions. This principle is supported by the perpetuities law and case law such as Estate of Feinberg (2009). Citation: Estate of Feinberg, 235 Ill. 2d 256 (2009).