Section 53-12-263. Incorporation of powers by reference

   (a) By an expressed intention of the testator or settlor contained in a will or in a trust instrument in writing whereby an express trust is created, any or all of the powers or any portion thereof enumerated in this part, as they exist at the time of the signing of the will by the testator or at the time of the signing by the first settlor who signs the trust instrument, may be, by appropriate reference made thereto, incorporated in the will or other written instrument with the same effect as though such language were set forth verbatim in the trust instrument.

(b) At any time after the execution of a revocable trust, the settlor or anyone who is authorized by the trust instrument to modify the trust may incorporate any or all of the powers or any portion thereof enumerated in this part, as they exist at the time of the incorporation.

(c) Incorporation of one or more of the powers contained in this part, by reference to the appropriate portion of Code Section 53-12-261, shall be in addition to and not in limitation of the common-law or statutory powers of the fiduciary.

(d) (1) A provision in any will or trust instrument which incorporates powers by citation to Georgia Laws 1973, page 846; Code 1933, Section 108-1204 (Harrison); or former Code Section 53-12-40, 53-12-232, or 53-15-3 which were in effect at the time the trust was created and which was valid under the law in existence at the time the will was signed by the testator or at the time of the signing by the first settlor who signs the trust instrument shall be effective notwithstanding the subsequent repeal of such statute.

   (2) A provision in any will or trust instrument which was signed by the testator or by the first settlor to sign after June 30, 1991, but before July 1, 1992, and which incorporates powers by citation to former Code Section 53-12-40 or 53-15-3 in effect on the date of such signing shall be deemed to mean and refer to the corresponding powers contained in former Code Section 53-12-232.

(e) If any or all of the powers contained in this part are incorporated by reference into a will by a testator:

   (1) The term "trust" includes the estate held by the personal representative;

   (2) The term "trustee" or "fiduciary" includes the personal representative; and

   (3) The term "beneficiaries of the trust" includes distributees of the estate.

Code 1981, § 53-12-263, enacted by Ga. L. 2010, p. 579, § 1/SB 131; Ga. L. 2011, p. 551, § 13/SB 134; Ga. L. 2011, p. 752, § 53/HB 142.