Which statement describes revocation or amendment of a revocable trust?

• A. It must be executed in a new deed.
• B. It can be made by oral agreement.
• C. It must be in writing and executed with the same formalities as the initial instrument.
• D. It cannot be amended after creation.

Answer: (C)

When a trust is revocable, the person who created it can change or revoke it, but any modification must be reduced to writing and executed with the same formalities as the original instrument. This requirement protects the grantor’s intent and provides a clear, enforceable record of the change. An oral agreement isn’t reliable or sufficient to alter the terms of a trust, and a revocation or amendment isn’t constrained to be permanent—changes during the grantor’s lifetime are allowed, provided they follow the proper written form. If the original instrument was executed in a particular manner (for example, as a deed or with witnesses/notarization), the amendment or revocation must follow those same formalities to be valid.