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If a judge is the beneficiary of a trust, he must report it.

I am a judicial officer and I am one of several beneficiaries of a trust. Do I have to report this?

Samuel C. Stretton. Samuel C. Stretton.

Under the current code of Judicial Conduct, a judge cannot serve as a trustee for any trust except for a trust involving the judge's family. Even then, the judge is prohibited if it would interfere with the performance of judicial duties. See Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 3.8. Under Rule 3.11, a judge can hold and manage investments of the judge's family, but not serve as a partner in any business entity except a closely held family organization. Even then, a judge can't if his involvement would interfere with judicial duties or lead to disqualifications, or involve frequent transactions with lawyers and clients who come before the court.