Opinion: 01-69

June 27, 2001




Digest:  A full-time judge may serve as a trustee pursuant to a will executed prior to January 1, 1974.
 

Rule: 22 NYCRR 100.4(E)(1).
 
 

Opinion:

            A full-time judge asks whether the judge may serve as a trustee pursuant to a will the judge drafted in 1971 when the judge was a practicing attorney.

            Except in certain limited circumstances, a full-time judge may not serve as a trustee or other fiduciary pursuant to an instrument executed after January 1, 1974. 22 NYCRR 100.4(E)(1). Because the will designating the judge as an alternate trustee was executed prior to January 1, 1974, this prohibition does not apply. The inquiring judge may therefore serve as a trustee under the will in question, provided, of course that such service will not interfere with the performance of judicial duties.