Connecticut § 52-498 - Sale of land when trust cannot be executed.
Full text of Connecticut Connecticut General Statutes § 52-498 — Sale of land when trust cannot be executed., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 52-498. Sale of land when trust cannot be executed.
Sec. 52-498. Sale of land when trust cannot be executed. (a) If real property is held by a trustee under a trust created by deed or will and, by reason of a change of circumstances or in the condition of the real property since the creation of the trust, the execution of the trust in exact accordance with the terms of the deed or will has become impossible or would fail to secure the objects manifestly intended by the grantor or testator in the deed or will, the superior court for the judicial district in which the real property is situated may, on the complaint of the trustee or any party beneficially interested in the trust, order the sale of the real property, or any part thereof, and the investment of the proceeds, either in other real property or as trust funds generally may be by law invested for the benefit of the party beneficially interested in the trust, in such manner as the court deems the most suitable to secure the objects for which the trust was originally created, as nearly as may be, according to the intent of the original grantor or testator appearing in the original deed or will.
(b) All parties interested in the real property, by reason of the trust, or as reversioners, shall be made parties to any action brought under this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 8234; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 82-160, S. 188.)
History: P.A. 78-280 substituted “judicial district” for “county”; P.A. 82-160 replaced real “estate” with real “property”, rephrased the section and inserted Subsec. indicators.
Cited. 63 C. 135, 136. Applied in case of church property originally held by trustees, all of whom died without exercising power of appointment of successor; 92 C. 471; so, where church property is no longer in part of city where its use for purposes of worship is feasible; limitations on court's power where donor has inserted express reverter. 98 C. 683, 684; 99 C. 31. Trustee may sell house where person having use of it under testamentary trust renounces provisions of will in lieu of statutory share; 108 C. 264; prerequisites for order of sale. Id., 267. Cited. 120 C. 86; 123 C. 256. Section contemplates writ and complaint in usual form. 133 C. 11.
Cited. 5 CA 142.
Cited. 9 CS 148. Cy pres doctrine in Connecticut has been adopted by statute since 1886. 15 CS 431. Trustees authorized to sell land and building and invest proceeds of trust establishing a girls' high school where due to changed circumstances it was impractical to continue original plan. 18 CS 517. Trustees may sell residential property deteriorated by age and floods and apply the proceeds to erection of a new building to serve original purpose. 20 CS 364. Cited. 29 CS 465; 31 CS 93.
Source: official Connecticut text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut § 52-498
What does Connecticut General Statutes § 52-498 cover?
Section 52-498 ("Sale of land when trust cannot be executed.") is part of the Connecticut General Statutes, the codified statutory law of Connecticut. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Connecticut § 52-498?
A common citation format is "Connecticut General Statutes § 52-498" (Connecticut). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Connecticut law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Connecticut official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Connecticut attorney.
How does Connecticut § 52-498 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Connecticut can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.