EXHIBIT 10.2 LIQUIDATING TRUST AGREEMENT Dated as of June 30, 2006 by and between PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII, a California limited partnership individually as Grantor and PLM Financial Services, Inc. as the Trustee TABLE OF CONTENTS
EX-10.2 3 plmgf7liquidatingtrustagree.htm PLM GROWTH FUND VII LIQUIDATING TRUST AGREEMENT PLM Growth Fund VII Liquidating Trust Agreement
EXHIBIT 10.2
LIQUIDATING TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 30, 2006
by and between
PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII,
a California limited partnership
individually as Grantor
and
PLM Financial Services, Inc.
as the Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I: NAME AND DEFINITIONS
1.1 Name
1.2 Certain Terms Defined
ARTICLE II: NATURE OF TRANSFER
2.1 Purpose of Trust
2.2 Prohibited Activities
2.3 No Reversion to the Partnership
2.4 Payment of Liabilities
2.5 Bill of Sale, Assignment, Acceptance and Assumption Agreement; Instruments of Further Assurance
2.6 Incidents of Ownership
2.7 Notice to Unlocated Holders of Partnership Interests
ARTICLE III: BENEFICIARIES
3.1 Beneficial Interests
3.2 Rights of Beneficiaries
3.3 No Transfer of Interests of Beneficiaries
3.4 Trustee as Beneficiary
ARTICLE IV: DURATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
4.1 Duration
4.2 Other Obligations of the Trustee upon Termination
ARTICLE V: ADMINISTRATION OF TRUST ASSETS
5.1 Sale of Trust Assets
5.2 Transactions with Related Persons
5.3 Payment of Claims, Expenses and Liabilities
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5.4 Interim Distributions
5.5 Final Distribution
5.6 Reports to Beneficiaries and Others
5.7 Federal Income Tax Information
5.8 Employment of Manager
ARTICLE VI: POWERS OF AND LIMITATIONS ON THE TRUSTEE
6.1 Limitations on Trustee
6.2 Specific Powers of the Trustee
ARTICLE VII: CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE, BENEFICIARIES, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
7.1 Generally
7.2 Reliance by Trustee
7.3 Limitation on Liability to Third Persons
7.4 Recitals
7.5 Indemnification
7.6 Rights of Trustees, Employees, Independent Contractors and Agents to Own Trust Units or Other Property and to Engage in Other Business
7.7 Contribution Back
ARTICLE VIII: PROTECTION OF PERSONS DEALING WITH THE TRUSTEE
8.1 Action by Trustee
8.2 Reliance on Statements by the Trustee
ARTICLE IX: COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEE
9.1 Amount of Compensation
9.2 Dates and Timing of Payment
9.3 Expenses
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ARTICLE X: THE TRUSTEE AND SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE
10.1 Number and Qualification of Trustees
10.2 Resignation and Removal
10.3 Appointment of Successor
10.4 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee
10.5 Bonds
ARTICLE XI: CONCERNING THE BENEFICIARIES
11.1 Evidence of Action by Beneficiaries
11.2 Limitation on Suits by Beneficiaries
11.3 Requirement of Undertaking
ARTICLE XII: MEETING OF BENEFICIARIES
12.1 Purpose of Meetings
12.2 Meeting Called by Trustee
12.3 Meeting Called on Request of Beneficiaries
12.4 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meeting of Beneficiaries
12.5 Quorum
12.6 Adjournment of Meeting
12.7 Conduct of Meetings
12.8 Record of Meeting
ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS
13.1 Consent of Beneficiaries
13.2 Notice and Effect of Amendment
13.3 Trustee’s Declining to Execute Documents
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ARTICLE XIV: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
14.1 Filing Documents
14.2 Intention of Parties to Establish Trust
14.3 Beneficiaries Have No Rights or Privileges as Holders of Partnership Interests
14.4 Laws as to Construction
14.5 Severability
14.6 Notices
14.7 Counterparts.
SCHEDULE A: Schedule of Fees
EXHIBIT A: Form of Bill of Sale, Assignment, Acceptance and Assumption Agreement
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LIQUIDATING TRUST AGREEMENT
This LIQUIDATING TRUST AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 30, 2006 (the “Effective Date”), by and between PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII, a California limited partnership, as Grantor (the “Partnership”), and PLM Financial Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS, the Partnership was organized for the objectives and purposes of owning and leasing, and otherwise dealing with equipment and other personal property; and
WHEREAS, the terms of that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated as of May 10, 1993, which was further amended pursuant to that certain First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement dated as of May 28, 1993, by that certain Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement dated as of January 21, 1994, by that certain Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement dated as of January 21, 1994, and by that certain Fourth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement dated August 24, 2001 (collectively, the “Partnership Agreement”); and provide that the Partnership be dissolved upon the determination by PLM Financial Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, General Partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”) that it is necessary to commence the liquidation of the assets of the Partnership in order for the liquidation of all of the assets to be completed in an orderly and businesslike fashion prior to January 1, 2007; and
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the General Partner has made such determination; and
WHEREAS, the General Partner believes it to be in the best interest of the Partnership to complete the liquidation of the Partnership by transferring all remaining assets of the Partnership (the “Retained Assets”) to a liquidating trust (the “Trust”) with PLM Financial Services, Inc., serving as its initial trustee (the “Trustee”), including a cash reserve set aside for the contingent and existing obligations of the Partnership (the “Cash Reserve”); and
WHEREAS, the Trustee shall administer the Liquidating Trust pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and, upon satisfaction of all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership and the Liquidating Trust, the Trustee shall distribute the residue of the proceeds of the liquidation of the assets of the Partnership in accordance with the terms hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Partnership hereby agrees to grant, release, assign, convey and deliver unto the Trustee for the benefit of the Beneficiaries (as hereinafter defined), all of the right, title and interest of the Partnership in and to the Retained Assets for the uses and purposes stated herein on the Effective Date, subject to the terms and provisions set out below, and the Trustee hereby agrees to accept such Retained Assets and such Trust, subject to the following terms and provisions:
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ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
1.1 Name. This Trust shall be known as the PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII Liquidating Trust.
1.2 Certain Terms Defined. For all purposes of this instrument, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Affiliated Person” shall mean a Person (i) who in his individual capacity is a director, trustee, officer, partner or employee of the Manager or of a Person who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Manager or (ii) who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Manager.
(b) “Agreement” shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be amended pursuant to the terms hereof.
(c) “Beneficial Interest” shall mean each Beneficiary’s proportionate share of the Trust Assets in the Trust determined by the ratio of the number of Partnership Interests held by the Initial Beneficiary on the close of business on the Record Date in the Partnership over the total number of Partnership Interests existing on such Record Date in the Partnership and thereafter each Beneficiary’s proportional beneficial interest in the Trust represented by Trust Units.
(d) “Beneficiaries” shall mean the holders of Trust Units from time to time on or after the Record Date, including the Initial Beneficiaries and the Subsequent Beneficiaries.
(e) “Cash Reserve” shall mean a cash reserve set aside by the General Partner for the contingent and existing obligations of the Partnership.
(f) “Grantor” shall mean the Partnership.
(g) “Initial Beneficiaries” shall mean the initial holders of Trust Units.
(h) “Liquidating Trust” shall mean the liquidating trust maintained by the Trustee holding the Trust Assets of the Partnership, identified as the “PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII Liquidating Trust”; also referred to herein as the “Trust.”
(i) “Manager” shall mean such Person or Persons who have been employed by, or who have contracted with, the Trustee to assist in the management of the Trust, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Manager may be the General Partner or any affiliate of the General Partner.
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(j) “Partnership Interests” shall mean the limited and general partnership interests in the Partnership held by each of the Beneficiaries as of the Record Date.
(k) “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, a joint venture, any unincorporated organization, or a government or political subdivision thereof.
(l) “Record Date” shall mean the date selected by the Grantor for determination of the holders of Partnership Interests entitled to become Beneficiaries.
(m) “Related Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
(n) “Subsequent Beneficiaries” shall mean Beneficiaries as reflected on the books and records of the Trust from time to time after the Effective Date, other than the Initial Beneficiaries.
(o) “Trust” shall mean the Trust created by this Agreement.
(p) “Trust Assets” shall mean all the property held from time to time by the Trustee under this Agreement, which initially shall consist of the Retained Assets of the Partnership granted, assigned and conveyed to the Trustee by the Partnership including, but not limited to, the Cash Reserve, and, in addition, shall thereafter include all proceeds and other receipts of, from, or attributable to any assets, causes of actions or claims held by the Trust.
(q) “Trust Units” shall mean those equal, undivided portions into which the Beneficial Interests in the Trust Assets are divided, as evidenced on the books and records of the Trust.
(r) “Trustee” shall mean the original Trustee under this Agreement and its successor(s), if any.
ARTICLE II
NATURE OF TRANSFER
2.1 Purpose of Trust.
(a) It is expected that the Partnership shall dissolve and liquidate prior to fully winding up its affairs, including, but not limited to, the sale of its remaining assets, the collection of any receivables and the payment of any unsatisfied debts, claims, liabilities, commitments, suits and other obligations, whether contingent or fixed or otherwise (the “Liabilities”), except for such Liabilities for which the Partnership has previously reserved by the allocation of the Cash Reserve as described in the recitals hereto. The Trust hereby is organized for the sole purpose of winding up the affairs of the Partnership as promptly as reasonably possible and with no objective to continue or engage in the conduct of a trade or business.
(b) The Cash Reserve and Retained Assets to be granted, assigned and conveyed to the Trustee as of the Effective Date will be held in the Trust, and the Trustee will: (i) further liquidate the Trust Assets as it deems necessary to carry out the purpose of the Trust and facilitate distribution of the Trust Assets; (ii) protect, conserve and manage the Trust Assets in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof; and (iii) distribute the Trust Assets in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
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(c) It is intended that the granting, assignment and conveyance of the Cash Reserve and the Retained Assets by the Partnership to the Trustee pursuant hereto shall be treated for federal and state income tax purposes as if the Partnership made such distributions directly to the holders of Partnership Interests. It is further intended that for federal, state and local income tax purposes the Trust shall be treated as a liquidating trust under Treasury Regulation Section ###-###-####-4(d) and any analogous provision of state or local law, and the Beneficiaries shall be treated as the owners of their respective share of the Trust pursuant to Sections 671 through 679 of the Code and any analogous provision of state or local law and shall be taxed on their respective share of the Trust’s taxable income (including both ordinary income and capital gains) pursuant to Section 671 of the Code and any analogous provision of state or local law. The Trustee shall file all tax returns required to be filed with any governmental agency consistent with this position, including, but not limited to, any returns required of grantor trusts pursuant to Section 1.671-4(a) of the Income Tax Regulations. The Partnership agrees that a transfer agent acting on its behalf may prepare and file applicable K-1’s respecting the Beneficiaries’ Partnership income. To the extent that the Trustee becomes liable for the payment of taxes, including withholding taxes, in respect of income derived from the investment of funds held hereunder or any payment made hereunder (collectively, the “Taxes”), the Trustee may pay such Taxes. The Trustee may withhold from any payment of the Trust Assets such amount as the Trustee estimates to be sufficient to provide for the payment of such Taxes not yet paid, and may use the sum withheld for that purpose. The Trustee shall be indemnified and held harmless against any liability for Taxes and for any penalties or interest in respect of Taxes on such investment income or payments in the manner provided herein.
2.2 Prohibited Activities. (a) The Trust shall not continue or engage in the conduct of any trade or business, except as necessary for the orderly liquidation of the Trust Assets. The Trust’s activities will be limited to the holding, collection and sale of the Trust Assets.
(b) The Trustee shall not take any action to facilitate or encourage any trading in the Beneficial Interests or in any instrument tied to the value of the Beneficial Interests. Further, the Trustee will require each of its Affiliated Persons to refrain from taking any such action.
2.3 No Reversion to the Partnership. In no event shall any part of the Trust Assets revert to or be distributed to the Partnership.
2.4 Payment of Liabilities. To the extent that there are available Trust Assets in the Trust, the Trust hereby agrees to assume all Liabilities of the Partnership on the Effective Date. Should any Liability be asserted against the Trust as the transferee of the Trust Assets or as a result of the assumption made in this paragraph, the Trustee may use such part of the Trust Assets as may be necessary in contesting any such Liability or in payment thereof. In no event shall the Trustee, Beneficiaries or employees or agents of the Trust be personally liable, nor shall resort be had to the private property of such Persons or to any other Trust Assets, in the event the Trust Assets are not sufficient to satisfy the Liabilities asserted against or payable out of the Partnership’s available Trust Assets in the Trust.
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2.5 Bill of Sale, Assignment, Acceptance and Assumption Agreement; Instruments of Further Assurance. On the Effective Date, the Partnership and the Trust shall execute a Bill of Sale, Assignment, Acceptance and Assumption Agreement conveying the Retained Assets, Cash Reserve and Liabilities to the Trust, a form of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto. After the dissolution of the Partnership, such Persons as shall have the right and power to so act, will, upon reasonable request of the Trustee, execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be necessary or proper to carry out effectively the purposes of this Agreement, to confirm or effectuate the transfer to the Trustee of any property intended to be covered hereby, and to vest in the Trustee, its successors and assigns, the estate, powers, instruments or funds in trust hereunder.
2.6 Incidents of Ownership. The holders of Partnership Interests as of the Record Date shall be the Initial Beneficiaries of the Trust as holders of Trust Units in the Trust, and the Trustee shall retain only such incidents of legal ownership as are necessary to undertake the actions and transactions authorized herein.
2.7 Notice to Unlocated Holders of Partnership Interests. If the Trust holds Trust Assets for unlocated holders of any Partnership Interests, due notice shall be given to such holders of Partnership Interests in accordance with [Delaware] law.
ARTICLE III
BENEFICIARIES
3.1 Beneficial Interests.
(a) The Beneficial Interest of each Initial Beneficiary hereof shall be determined by the Partnership in accordance with a certified copy of the Partnership’s list of Partnership Unit holders as of the Record Date (the “List”). The Partnership will deliver the certified copy of the List to the Trustee within a reasonable time after the Record Date specifying the Beneficial Interests of each Initial Beneficiary in the Partnership. For ease of administration, the List shall express the Beneficial Interest of each Initial Beneficiary in terms of units and it is intended that each unit shall represent one Trust Unit in the Trust.
(b) In the case of the Partnership Unit holders, customary institutional book-entry or other records or any other evidence of ownership satisfactory to the Trustee will be deemed to evidence the Beneficial Interest in the Trust of each such Beneficiary.
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(c) If any conflicting claims or demands are made or asserted with respect to the ownership of any Trust Units, or if there should be any disagreement between the transferees, assignees, heirs, representatives or legatees succeeding to all or part of the interest of any Beneficiary resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection with such Trust Units, then, in any of such events, the Trustee shall be entitled, at its sole election, to refuse to comply with any such conflicting claims or demands. In so refusing, the Trustee may elect to make no payment or distribution with respect to such Trust Units, or to make such payment to a court of competent jurisdiction or an escrow agent, and in so doing the Trustee shall not be or become liable to any of such parties for their failure or refusal to comply with any of such conflicting claims or demands, nor shall the Trustee be liable for interest on any funds which it may so withhold. The Trustee shall be entitled to refrain and refuse to act until either (i) the rights of the adverse claimants have been adjudicated by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) all differences have been adjusted by valid written agreement between all of such parties, and the Trustee shall have been furnished with an executed counterpart of such agreement, or (iii) there is furnished to the Trustee a surety bond or other security satisfactory to the Trustee, as it shall deem appropriate, to fully indemnify it as between all conflicting claims or demands.
3.2 Rights of Beneficiaries. Each Beneficiary shall be entitled to participate in the rights and benefits due to a Beneficiary hereunder according to his Beneficial Interest. Each Beneficiary shall take and hold the same subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The interest of the Beneficiary hereby is declared and shall be in all respects personal property and upon the death of an individual Beneficiary, his Beneficial Interest shall pass as personal property to his legal representative and such death shall in no way terminate or affect the validity of this Agreement, provided that the Trustee shall not be required to evidence a book entry transfer of a deceased Beneficiary’s Beneficial Interest to his legal representative until the Trustee shall have received Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration and written notice of the death of the deceased Beneficiary. A Beneficiary shall have no title to, right to, possession of, management of, or control of, the Trust Assets except as herein expressly provided. No widower, widow, heir, or devisee of any person who may be a Beneficiary shall have any right of dower, homestead, or inheritance, or of partition, or of any other right, statutory or otherwise, in any property forming a part of Trust Assets but the whole title to the Trust Assets shall be vested in the Trustee and the sole interest of the applicable Beneficiaries shall be the rights and benefits given to such Persons under this Agreement.
3.3 No Transfer of Interests of Beneficiaries. The Beneficial Interest of a Beneficiary may not be transferred by any Beneficiary in person or by a duly authorized agent or attorney, or by the properly appointed legal representatives of the Beneficiary, nor may a Beneficiary have authority or power to sell, assign, transfer, encumber, or in any other manner dispose of his Beneficial Interest; provided, however, that the Beneficial Interest shall be assignable or transferable by will, intestate succession, or operation of law.
Except as may be otherwise required by law, the Beneficial Interests of the Beneficiaries hereunder shall not be subject to attachment, execution, sequestration or any order of a court, nor shall such interests be subject to the contracts, debts, obligations, engagements or liabilities of any Beneficiary, but the interest of a Beneficiary shall be paid by the Trustee to the Beneficiary free and clear of all
assignments, attachments, anticipations, levies, executions, decrees and sequestrations and shall become the property of the Beneficiary only when actually received by such Beneficiary.
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3.4 Trustee as Beneficiary. The Trustee, either individually or in a representative or fiduciary capacity, may be a Beneficiary to the same extent as if it were not a Trustee hereunder and shall have all the rights of a Beneficiary, including, without limitation, the right to vote and to receive distributions, to the same extent as if it was not the Trustee hereunder.
ARTICLE IV
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
4.1 Duration. The existence of this Trust shall terminate upon the earliest of (i) a termination required by the applicable laws of the State of [Delaware], (ii) the termination due to the distribution of all Trust Assets as provided in Section 5.5, or (iii) June 30, 2008; provided, however, that the Trustee, in its discretion, may extend the existence of this Trust to such later date as it may designate, if it determines that an extension is reasonably necessary to pay or make provision for then known liabilities, actual or contingent.
4.2 Other Obligations of the Trustee upon Termination. Upon distribution of all the Trust Assets, the Trustee shall provide for the retention of all necessary books, records, lists of holders of Trust Units in the Trust, certificates and files that shall have been delivered to or created by the Trustee for a period of ten (10) years thereafter, at the Trustee’s discretion, all of such records and documents may be destroyed. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, upon the distribution of all Trust Assets in the Trust, the Trustee shall have no further duties or obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE V
ADMINISTRATION OF TRUST ASSETS
5.1 Sale of Trust Assets. The Trustee is hereby authorized and directed, at such times as it may deem appropriate, to transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Trust Assets in the Trust as it deems appropriate at public auction or at private sale for cash, securities or other property, or upon credit (either secured or unsecured as the Trustee shall determine).
5.2 Transactions with Related Persons. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Trustee shall not knowingly, directly or indirectly, sell or otherwise transfer all or any part of any Trust Assets to, or contract with, (i) itself or any other Trustee or an employee or agent (acting in its or their individual capacities) of this Trust, or (ii) any Person of which any Trustee, employee or agent of this Trust is an affiliate by reason of being a trustee, director, officer, partner or direct or indirect beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interest of such Persons (each of the persons referred to in (i) and (ii) above, a “Related Person”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any circumstance where an asset or a direct or indirect interest in an asset is jointly-owned by a Related Person and the Partnership on the date hereof and such asset or the Partnership’s interest in such asset becomes a Trust Asset, the Trustee may sell or otherwise transfer such Trust Asset to such Related Person pursuant to any contractual arrangement with such Related Person.
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5.3 Payment of Claims, Expenses and Liabilities. Provided the Trustee has been advised in writing respecting such claims, expenses, charges, liabilities and obligations, the Trustee shall pay from the Trust Assets in the Trust all claims, expenses, charges, liabilities, and obligations of the Trust Assets and all Liabilities relating to the Trust Assets and obligations which the Trustee specifically assumes and agrees to pay pursuant to this Agreement and such transferee liabilities which the Trustee may be obligated to pay as transferees of the Trust Assets in the Trust, including among the foregoing, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, interest, penalties, taxes, assessments, and public charges of every kind and nature and the costs, charges, and expenses connected with or growing out of the execution or administration of this Trust and such other payments and disbursements as are provided in this Agreement or which may be determined to be a proper charge against the Trust Assets in the Trust by the Trustee.
5.4 Interim Distributions. At such times as may be determined by it in its sole discretion, the Trustee shall distribute, or cause to be distributed, to the Beneficiaries, in proportion to the number of Trust Units held by each Beneficiary relating to the Trust, such cash or other property comprising a portion of the Trust Assets as the Trustee may in its sole discretion determine may be distributed without detriment to the conservation and protection of the Trust Assets in the Trust.
5.5 Final Distribution. If the Trustee determines that the Liabilities and all other claims, expenses, charges, liabilities and obligations of the Trust have been paid or discharged, or if the existence of the Trust shall terminate pursuant to Section 4.1, the Trustee shall, as expeditiously as is consistent with the conservation and protection of the Trust Assets, distribute the Trust Assets to the Beneficiaries in proportion to the number of Trust Units held by each Beneficiary in the Trust based on the list submitted to the Trustee by the Partnership pursuant to Section 3.1 above, as such list may be amended. The Trustee shall hold in the Trust and thereafter make disposition of all liquidating distributions and other payments due any Beneficiaries who have not been located, in accordance with [Delaware] law, subject to applicable state laws regarding escheat and abandoned property. It is understood that the Trustee and the Beneficiary’s bank in any funds transfer may rely solely upon any account numbers or similar identifying number provided by the parties hereto to identify (i) the Beneficiary, (ii) the Beneficiary’s bank, or (iii) an intermediary bank. The Trustee may apply any of the Trust Assets for any payment order it executes using any such identifying number, even where its use may result in a person other than the Beneficiary being paid, or the transfer of funds to a bank other than the Beneficiary’s bank, or an intermediary bank designated.
5.6 Reports to Beneficiaries and Others. As soon as practicable after the end of each taxable year of the Trust and after termination of the Trust, the Trustee shall submit a written report and account to the Beneficiaries showing (i) the assets and liabilities of the Trust at the end of such taxable year or upon termination and the receipts and disbursements of the Trustee for such taxable year or period, (ii) any changes in the Trust Assets which they have not previously reported, and (iii) any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Agreement which it has not previously reported and which, in its opinion, materially affects the Trust Assets. The Trustee may submit similar reports for such interim periods during the taxable year as it deems advisable or as may be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The taxable year of the Trust shall end on December 31 of each year unless the Trustee deems it advisable to establish some other date as the date on which the taxable year of the Trust shall end.
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5.7 Federal Income Tax Information. As soon as practicable after the close of each taxable year, the Trustee shall direct its transfer agent to mail to each Person who was a Beneficiary at the close of the year, a statement showing on a Trust Unit basis in the Trust the dates and amounts of all distributions made by the Trustee, if any, income earned on assets held by the Trust, if any, such other information as is reasonably available to the Trustee which the Trustee determines may be helpful in determining the amount of gross income and expenses attributable to the Trust that such Beneficiary should include in such Person’s federal income tax return for the preceding year and any other information as may be required to be furnished under the tax laws. In addition, after receipt of a written request in good faith, or in its discretion without such request or if required by applicable law, such transfer agent (or if it cannot, the Trustee) shall furnish to any Person who has been a Beneficiary at any time during the preceding year a statement containing such further information as is reasonably available to the transfer agent or Trustee, respectively, which shall be helpful in determining the amount of taxable income which such Person should include in such Person’s federal income tax return.
5.8 Employment of Manager.
(a) The Trustee shall be responsible for the general policies of the Trust and for the general supervision of the activities of the Trust conducted by all agents, employees, advisors or managers of the Trust. However, the Trustee is not and shall not be required personally to conduct the activities of the Trust, and consistent with its ultimate responsibility as stated above, the Trustee shall have the power to appoint, employ or contract with any Person or Persons (including any corporation, partnership, or trust in which one or more of them may be directors, officers, shareholders, partners or trustees) as the Trustee may deem necessary or proper for the transaction of the activities of the Trust. The Trustee may therefore employ or contract with such Person or Persons (herein referred to as the “Manager”) and may grant or delegate such authority to the Manager as the Trustee may in its sole discretion deem necessary or desirable to carry out the purpose of the Trust without regard to whether such authority is normally granted or delegated by trustees.
The Trustee shall have the power to determine the terms and compensation of the Manager or any other Person whom they may employ or with whom they may contract. The Trustee may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Manager to administer and regulate the operations of the Trust, to act as agent for the Trust, to execute documents on behalf of the Trustee, and to make executive decisions
which conform to general policies and general principles previously established by the Trustee.
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(b) The Manager or other Persons shall not be required to administer the Trust as its sole and exclusive function and may have other business interests and may engage in other activities similar or in addition to those relating to the Trust, including the rendering of advice or services of any kind to investors or any other Persons and the management of other investments.
ARTICLE VI
POWERS OF AND LIMITATIONS ON THE TRUSTEE
6.1 Limitations on Trustee. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Trustee shall not at any time, on behalf of the Trust or the Beneficiaries, enter into or engage in any trade or business, and no part of any Trust Assets shall be used or disposed of by the Trustee in furtherance of any trade or business. Except as the Trustee reasonably believes is consistent with and in furtherance of its obligations under this Agreement, the Trustee shall be restricted to the holding, collection and sale of the Trust Assets and the payment and distribution thereof for the purposes set forth in this Agreement and to the conservation and protection of the Trust Assets and the administration thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In no event shall the Trustee receive any property, make any distribution, satisfy or discharge any claims, expenses, charges, liabilities and obligations or otherwise take any action which is inconsistent with a complete liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and rulings, decisions and determinations of the Internal Revenue Service and courts of competent jurisdiction, or take any action which would jeopardize the status of the Trust as a “liquidating trust” for federal income tax purposes within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section ###-###-####-4(d). This limitation shall apply regardless of whether the conduct of any such trade or business is deemed by the Trustee to be necessary or proper for the conservation and protection of the Trust Assets. The Trustee shall not invest any of the cash held as Trust Assets, except that the Trustee may invest in (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or obligations of any agency or instrumentality thereof which mature not later than one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii) money market deposit accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts, or certificates of deposit, commercial paper rated not less than A1P1, or other time deposit accounts which mature not later than one year from the date of acquisition thereof which are issued by a commercial bank, brokerage firm or savings institution organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof; or (iii) other temporary investments not inconsistent with the Trust’s status as a liquidating trust for tax purposes (collectively, “Permitted Investments”). It is hereby acknowledged that the Trustee shall not be required to maximize the investment return on the Trust Assets during the term of this Agreement. The Trustee shall be and hereby is relieved of all liability with respect to the purchasing, holding or selling of Permitted Investments in accordance with the terms hereof. The Trustee is not responsible for any losses to the Trust which may occur, including, without limitation, by reason of bank failure or the amount of the Trust exceeding the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits.
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6.2 Specific Powers of the Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the following specific powers in addition to any powers conferred upon them by any other Section or provision of this Agreement or any statutory laws of the State of [Delaware]; provided, however, that the enumeration of the following powers shall not be considered in any way to limit or control the power of the Trustee to act as specifically authorized by any other Section or provision of this Agreement and to act in such a manner as the Trustee may deem necessary or appropriate to conserve and protect any Trust Assets or to confer on the Beneficiaries the benefits intended to be conferred upon them by this Agreement:
(a) To determine the nature and amount of the consideration to be received with respect to the sale or other disposition of, or the grant of interests in, any Trust Assets.
(b) To collect, liquidate or otherwise convert into cash, or such other property as the Trustee deems appropriate, all property, assets and rights in any Trust Assets, and to pay, discharge and satisfy all other claims, expenses, charges, liabilities, and obligations existing with respect to any Trust Assets, the Trust or the Trustee.
(c) To elect, appoint, engage, retain or employ any Persons as agents, representatives, employees, or independent contractors (including without limitation real estate advisors, investment advisors, accountants, transfer agents, custodians, attorneys-at-law, managers, appraisers, brokers, or otherwise) in one or more capacities, and to pay compensation from the Trust Assets for services in as many capacities as such Person may be so elected, appointed, engaged, retained or employed, to prescribe the titles, powers and duties, terms of service and other terms and conditions of the election, appointment, engagement, retention or employment of such Persons and, except as prohibited by law, to delegate any of the powers and duties of the Trustee to any one or more Trustees, agents, representatives, employers, independent contractors or other Persons.
(d) To retain and set aside such funds out of the Trust as the Trustee shall deem necessary or expedient to pay, or provide for the payment of (i) unpaid claims, expenses, charges, liabilities, and obligations of the Trust or the Partnership, except to the extent that liabilities for which the Partnership has previously reserved Cash Reserve are satisfied with funds from said Cash Reserve; (ii) contingencies; and (iii) the expenses of administering the Trust Assets.
(e) To do and perform any and all acts necessary or appropriate for the conservation and protection of the Trust Assets, including acts or things necessary or appropriate to maintain Trust Assets held by the Trustee pending sale or other disposition thereof or distribution thereof to the Beneficiaries.
(f) To hold legal title to property of the Trust in the name of the Trust, or in the name of the Trustee, or of any other Person, without disclosure of the interest of the Trust therein.
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(g) To cause any investments of any part of the Trust Assets to be registered and held in the name of any one or more of its names or in the names of a nominee or nominees without increase or decrease of liability with respect thereto.
(h) To institute or defend actions or declaratory judgments or other actions and to take such other action, in the name of the Trust or the Partnership or as otherwise required, as the Trustee may deem necessary or desirable to enforce any instruments, contracts, agreements, causes of action, claims or rights relating to or forming a part of the Trust Assets.
(i) To determine conclusively from time to time the value of and to revalue the securities and other property of the Trust, in accordance with independent appraisals or other information as it deems necessary or appropriate.
(j) To cancel, terminate, or amend any instruments, contracts, agreements, obligations or causes of action relating to or forming a part of any Trust Assets, and to execute new instruments, contracts, agreements, obligations or causes of action notwithstanding that the terms of any such instruments, contracts, agreements, obligations or causes of action may extend beyond the terms of this Trust, provided that no such new instrument, contract, agreement, obligation or cause of action shall permit the Trustee to engage in any activity prohibited by Section 6.1.
(k) To vote by proxy or otherwise on behalf of the Beneficiaries and with full power of substitution all shares of stock and all securities held by the Trustee hereunder and to exercise every power, election, discretion, option and subscription right and give every notice, make every demand, and to do every act or thing in respect to any shares of stock or any securities held by the Trustee which the Trustee might or could do if the Trustee was the absolute owner thereof.
(l) To undertake or join in any merger, plan of reorganization, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, readjustment or other transaction of any corporation, any of whose shares of stock or other securities, obligations, or properties may at any time constitute a part of any Trust Assets, and to accept the substituted shares of stock, bonds, securities, obligations and properties and to hold the same in trust in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(m) In connection with the sale or other disposition or distribution of any securities held by the Trustee, to comply with the applicable federal and state securities laws, and to enter into agreements relating to the sale or other disposition or distribution thereof.
(n) To authorize transactions between corporations or other entities whose securities, or other interests therein (either in the nature of debt or equity) are held by the Trustee as part of any Trust Assets.
(o) To terminate and dissolve any entities owned by the Trust.
(p) To have a judicial settlement of its account of the Trust at any time to the extent it determines necessary or advisable.
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(q) To perform any act authorized, permitted, or required under any instrument, contract, agreement, right, obligation or cause of action relating to or forming a part of any Trust Assets whether in the nature of an approval, consent, demand or notice thereunder or otherwise, unless such act would require the consent of the Beneficiaries in accordance with the express provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE,
BENEFICIARIES, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
7.1 Generally. The Trustee accepts and undertakes to discharge the Trust created by this Agreement, upon the terms and conditions thereof on behalf of the Beneficiaries. The Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own willful misconduct, knowingly and intentionally committed in bad faith, except that:
(a) No successor Trustee shall be in any way responsible for the acts or omissions of the Trustee in office prior to the date on which he or it becomes a Trustee.
(b) The Trustee shall not be liable for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement except for its bad faith or willful misconduct, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Trustee.
(c) The Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any act which the Trustee may do or omit to do hereunder, or for any mistake of fact or law, or for any error of judgment, or for the misconduct of any employee, agent, representative or attorney appointed by it, or for anything that it may do or refrain from doing in connection with this Agreement while acting in good faith; unless caused by or arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud or any other breach of fiduciary duty of the Trustee or any of its employees, agents, representatives or attorneys.
(e) The duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be limited to and determined solely by the express provisions of this Agreement, and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Trustee.
7.2 Reliance by Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1:
(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
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(b) The Trustee may consult with legal counsel, auditors or other experts to be selected by it, including firms with which the Trustee may be an affiliate, and the advice or opinion of such counsel, accountants, auditors or other experts shall be full and complete protection to the Trustee, the employees and the agents of the Trustee in respect of any action taken or omitted or suffered by them in good faith and in reliance on, or in accordance with, such advice or opinion.
(c) Persons dealing with the Trustee shall look only to the Trust Assets to satisfy any liability relating to the Trust Assets incurred by the Trustee to such Person in carrying out the terms of this Trust, and the Trustee shall have no obligation to satisfy any such liability.
(d) As far as practicable and except as expressly permitted above, the Trustee shall cause any written instrument creating an obligation of the Trust to include a reference to this Agreement and to provide that neither the Beneficiaries, the Trustee nor their agents shall be liable thereunder and that the other parties to such instrument shall look solely to the Trust Assets for the payment of any claim thereunder or the performance thereof; provided, however, that the omission of such provision from any such instrument shall not render the Beneficiaries, the Trustee, or their agents liable, nor shall the Trustee be liable to anyone for such omission.
7.3 Limitation on Liability to Third Persons. No Beneficiary shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the Trust Assets or the affairs of this Trust; and neither the Trustee nor any employee or agent of this Trust shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with any Trust Assets or the affairs of this Trust, except for such Person’s own willful misconduct, knowingly and intentionally committed in bad faith; and all such other Persons shall look solely to any Trust Assets for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of this Trust. The Trustee shall, at all times, maintain insurance for the protection of all Trust Assets, its Beneficiaries, the Trustee and its employees and agents in such amount as the Trustee shall deem adequate to cover all foreseeable liability to the extent available at reasonable rates.
7.4 Recitals. Any written instrument creating an obligation of this Trust shall be conclusively taken to have been executed or done by the Trustee, or the employee or agent of this Trust only in its capacity as Trustee under this Agreement or in his capacity as employee or agent of the Trust.
7.5 Indemnification. The Trustee and each of its employees and agents (each an “Indemnified Person” and collectively, the “Indemnified Persons”) shall be indemnified out of all Trust Assets against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and all costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements paid or incurred in investigating or defending against any such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding by the Indemnified Persons in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding by the Trust or any other Person, whether civil or criminal, in which the Indemnified Person may be involved or with which the Indemnified Person may be threatened while in office or thereafter, by reason of its or his being or having been such a Trustee, employee or agent; provided, however, that the Indemnified Person shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of any matter
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as to which the Indemnified Person shall have been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith or with willful misfeasance or in reckless disregard of the Indemnified Person’s duties. The rights accruing to any Indemnified Person under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which the Indemnified Person may be lawfully entitled. The Trustee may make advance payments in connection with indemnification under this Section, provided that the Indemnified Person shall have given a written undertaking to repay any amount advanced to the Indemnified Person and to reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently determined in a final adjudication by a court of law that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to such indemnification. The Trustee may purchase such insurance as it believes, in the exercise of its discretion, adequately insures that each Indemnified Person shall be indemnified against any such loss, liability or damage pursuant to this Section. The rights accruing to any Indemnified Person by reason of the foregoing shall not be deemed to exclude any other right to which he may legally be entitled nor shall anything else contained herein restrict the right of the Trustee to indemnify or reimburse such Indemnified Person in any proper case even though not specifically provided for herein, nor shall anything contained herein restrict the right of any such Indemnified Person to contribution under applicable law. As security for the timely and full payment and satisfaction of all of the present and future obligations of the parties to the Trustee under this Agreement, including without limitation the indemnity obligations hereunder, whether joint or several, the Trust (and by accepting distributions hereunder, each Beneficiary) hereby grants to the Trustee a continuing security interest in and to any and all of the Trust Assets, whether now existing or hereafter acquired or created, together with the products and proceeds thereof, all payments and other distributions with respect thereto, and any and all investments, renewals, substitutions, modifications and extensions of any and all of the foregoing. The Trustee shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code. In addition, in the event the Trustee has not received any payment, indemnity, reimbursement or other amount due it under this Agreement, then, notwithstanding any other term or provision of this Agreement, the Trustee may in its discretion set off and apply any of the Trust Assets as is required to pay and satisfy those obligations. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the Trustee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any of the other parties hereto, notify such other parties thereof in writing; but the failure by the Trustee to give such notice shall not relieve any party from any liability which such party may have to the Trustee hereunder. Notwithstanding any obligation to make payments and deliveries hereunder, the Trustee may retain and hold for such time as it reasonably deems necessary such amount of the Trust Assets as it shall from time to time in its sole discretion reasonably deem sufficient to indemnify itself for any such loss or expense and for any amounts due it hereunder. Except as required by law or as expressly provided herein, the Trustee shall be under no duty to institute any suit, or to take any remedial procedures under this Agreement, or to enter any appearance or in any way defend any suit in which it may be made a defendant hereunder until it shall be indemnified as provided above, except as expressly set forth herein.
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7.6 Rights of Trustees, Employees, Independent Contractors and Agents to Own Trust Units or Other Property and to Engage in Other Business. Any Trustee, employee, independent contractor or agent may own, hold and dispose of Trust Units for its or his individual account, and may exercise all rights thereof and thereunder to the same extent and in the same manner as if it were not a Trustee, employee, independent contractor or agent. Any Trustee, employee, independent contractor or agent may, in his personal capacity or in a capacity of trustee, officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, advisor, employee of any Person or otherwise, have business interests and holdings similar to or in addition to those relating to the Trust. Subject to the provisions of Article V hereof, any Trustee, employee, independent contractor or agent of the Trust may be a trustee, officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, advisor, employee or independent contractor of, or otherwise have a direct or indirect interest in, any Person who may be engaged to render advice or services to the Trust, and may receive compensation from such Person as well as compensation as Trustee, employee, independent contractor or agent or otherwise hereunder so long as such interest is disclosed to the Trustee. None of these activities in and of themselves shall be deemed to conflict with its duties as Trustee, employee, independent contractor or agent.
7.7 Contribution Back. In the event any amount of Trust Assets released to a party under this Agreement is invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Trustee in connection with the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of such party, whether by order of or settlement before any court or other authority or otherwise, such party shall contribute back to the Trust an amount such that such party will be affected by that invalidation, declaration, restoration or return ratably in proportion to the distributions it received under this Agreement, together with any related assignment, release or other instrument or document the Trustee may request to restore the status quo ante.
ARTICLE VIII
PROTECTION OF PERSONS DEALING WITH THE TRUSTEE
8.1 Action by Trustee. All action required or permitted to be taken by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, shall be taken by a written vote, resolution, or other writing signed by the Trustee then serving.
8.2 Reliance on Statements by the Trustee. Any Person dealing with the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying upon the Trustee’s certificate or instrument signed by the Trustee that it has authority to take any action under this Trust.
ARTICLE IX
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEE
9.1 Amount of Compensation. The compensation of the Trustee shall be in accordance with the terms specified on Schedule A hereto or upon such other terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the Trustee and the Beneficiaries holding Trust Units representing at least a majority of the aggregate Beneficial Interests. Schedule A shall apply only to the initial Trustee and, in the event a successor to the initial Trustee shall serve, such schedule shall be deleted from this Agreement and neither such deletion nor the substitution of a counterpart schedule applicable to the successor Trustee shall constitute an amendment of this Agreement.
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9.2 Dates and Timing of Payment. The compensation payable to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1 shall be in accordance with Schedule A or, if Schedule A is no longer in force, at such other times as the Trustee may determine.
9.3 Expenses. The Trustee shall be reimbursed from the Trust Assets for all expenses reasonably incurred by it in the performance of its duties in accordance with this Agreement including the reasonable compensation and out-of-pocket expenses of attorneys, accountants, appraisers, consultants and other persons retained by the Trustee or the Manager pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
THE TRUSTEE AND SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE
10.1 Number and Qualification of Trustees. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.3 relating to the period pending the appointment of a successor Trustee, there shall be one Trustee of this Trust, which shall be a citizen and resident of or a corporation or other entity which is incorporated or formed under the laws of a state of the United States and, if a corporation, it shall be authorized to act as a corporate fiduciary under the laws of the State of [Delaware]. The number of Trustees may be increased or decreased from time to time by the Trustee.
If any corporate Trustee shall ever change its name, or shall reorganize or reincorporate, or shall merge with or into or consolidate with any other corporation or entity, bank or trust company, such corporate Trustee shall be deemed to be a continuing entity and shall continue to act as a Trustee hereunder with the same liabilities, duties, powers, titles, discretions and privileges as are herein specified for a Trustee.
10.2 Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign and be discharged from the Trust hereby created by giving written notice thereof to any remaining Trustee or Trustees or by giving written notice to the Beneficiaries holding Beneficial Interests representing an aggregate of at least a majority of the total Beneficial Interests. Such resignation shall become effective on the day specified in such notice or upon the appointment of such Trustee’s successor and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment, whichever is earlier. Any Trustee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by Beneficiaries having an aggregate Beneficial Interest of at least a majority of the total Beneficial Interests in the Trust. All obligations of the Trustee hereunder shall cease and terminate on the effective date of its resignation and its sole responsibility thereafter shall be to hold the Trust Assets for a period of thirty (30) calendar days following the effective date of resignation, at which time, if a successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted such appointment in a writing to the Beneficiaries, then upon written notice thereof given by a representative of the Beneficiaries to the resigning Trustee, the resigning Trustee shall deliver the Trust Assets to the successor Trustee. If a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed within a thirty (30) day period from the predecessor Trustee’s resignation, for any reason whatsoever, the resigning Trustee shall deliver the Trust Assets to a court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the Trust Assets are there being held and give written notice of the same to the parties hereto.
The resigning Trustee shall be entitled to payment of any unpaid fees (which shall be pro-rated as of the effective date of the resignation) and expenses and to reimbursement by the Beneficiaries out of the Trust Assets for any expenses incurred in connection with the transfer of the Trust Assets pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this section.
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10.3 Appointment of Successor. Should at any time a Trustee resign or be removed, die, become mentally incompetent or incapable of action (as determined by the Beneficiaries holding Trust Units representing an aggregate of at least a majority of the total Beneficial Interests in the Trust), or be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, unless any remaining Trustees shall decrease the number of Trustees of the Trust pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof, a vacancy shall be deemed to exist and a successor shall be appointed by any remaining Trustees. If such a vacancy is not filled by any remaining Trustees within ninety (90) days, the remaining Trustees must notify the Beneficiaries of their inability to fill such vacancy, and the Beneficiaries may, pursuant to Article XII hereof, call a meeting to appoint a successor Trustee by Beneficiaries holding Trust Units representing an aggregate of at least a majority of the total Beneficial Interests in the Trust. Pending the appointment of a successor Trustee, the remaining Trustee or Trustees then serving may take any action in the manner set forth in Section 8.1.
10.4 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder and shall deliver one counterpart thereof to each of the other Trustees and, in case of a resignation, to the resigning Trustee. Thereupon such successor Trustee shall, without any further act, become vested with all the estates, properties, rights, powers, trusts and duties of his or its predecessor in the Trust hereunder with like effect as if originally named therein; but the resigning Trustee shall nevertheless, when requested in writing by the successor Trustee or by the remaining Trustees, execute and deliver an instrument or instruments conveying and transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trust herein expressed, all the estates, properties, rights, powers and trusts of such resigning Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by it hereunder.
10.5 Bonds. No bond shall be required of the original Trustee hereunder, and no bond shall be required of any successor Trustee hereunder. If a bond is required by law, no surety or security with respect to such bond shall be required unless required by law.
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING THE BENEFICIARIES
11.1 Evidence of Action by Beneficiaries. Whenever in this Agreement it is provided that the Beneficiaries may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent, or waiver, the removal of a Trustee, the appointment of a successor Trustee, or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action such Beneficiaries have joined therein may be evidenced (i) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Beneficiaries in person or by agent or attorney appointed in writing, or (ii) by the record of the Beneficiaries voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Beneficiaries duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article XII.
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11.2 Limitation on Suits by Beneficiaries. No Beneficiary shall have any right by virtue of any provision of this Agreement to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity against any party other than the Trustees upon or under or with respect to any Trust Assets or the agreements relating to or forming part of any Trust Assets, and the Beneficiaries do hereby waive any such right.
11.3 Requirement of Undertaking. The Trustee may request any court to require, and any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Agreement, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit by the Trustee.
ARTICLE XII
MEETING OF BENEFICIARIES
12.1 Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of the Beneficiaries may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article for the purposes of taking any action which the terms of this Agreement permit a Beneficiary having a specified aggregate Beneficial Interest to take either acting alone or with the Trustee.
12.2 Meeting Called by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of the Beneficiaries of the Trust to be held at such time and at such place within the State of [Delaware] (or elsewhere if so determined by a majority of the Trustees) as the Trustee shall determine. Written notice of every meeting of the Beneficiaries shall be given by the Trustee (except as provided in Section 12.3), which written notice will set forth the time and place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, and shall be mailed not more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before such meeting is to be held to all of the Beneficiaries of record not more than sixty (60) days before the date of such meeting. The notice shall be directed to the Beneficiaries at their respective addresses as they appear in the records of the Trust.
12.3 Meeting Called on Request of Beneficiaries. Within thirty (30) days after written request to the Trustee by Beneficiaries holding Trust Units representing at least a majority of the aggregate Beneficial Interests to call a meeting of all of the Beneficiaries, which written request shall specify in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken, the Trustee shall proceed under the provisions of Section 12.2 to call a meeting of the Beneficiaries, and if the Trustee fails to call such meeting within such thirty (30) day period then such meeting may be called by Beneficiaries holding Trust Units representing at least a majority of the aggregate Beneficial Interests.
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12.4 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meeting of Beneficiaries. Each Beneficiary shall be entitled to vote at a meeting of the Beneficiaries of the Trust either in person or by his proxy duly authorized in writing. The vote of each Beneficiary shall be weighted based on the number of Trust Units in the Trust held by each Beneficiary determined pursuant to the list described in Section 3.1, as such list is amended hereby. The signature of the Beneficiary on such written authorization need not be witnessed or notarized.
12.5 Quorum. At any meeting of Beneficiaries, the presence of Beneficiaries holding Trust Units representing at least a majority of the aggregate Beneficial Interests sufficient to take action on any matter for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum; but if less than a quorum be present, Beneficiaries having aggregate Beneficial Interests of more than 50% of the total Beneficial Interests in the Trust of all Beneficiaries represented at the meeting may adjourn such meeting with the same effect and for all intents and purposes as though a quorum had been present.
12.6 Adjournment of Meeting. Subject to Section 12.5 hereof, any meeting of Beneficiaries of the Trust may be adjourned from time to time and a meeting may be held at such adjourned time and place without further notice.
12.7 Conduct of Meetings. The Trustee shall appoint the Chairman and the Secretary of the meeting. The vote upon any proposal submitted to any meeting of Beneficiaries shall be by written ballot. An Inspector of Votes, appointed by the Chairman of the meeting, shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any proposal and shall make and file with the Secretary of the meeting its verified written report.
12.8 Record of Meeting. A record of the proceedings of each meeting of Beneficiaries of the Trust shall be prepared by the Secretary of the meeting. The record shall be signed and verified by the Secretary of the meeting and shall be delivered to the Trustee to be preserved by it. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of all the matters therein stated.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
13.1 Consent of Beneficiaries. At the direction or with the consent of Beneficiaries holding Trust Units representing at least a majority of the aggregate Beneficial Interests, or such greater percentage as shall be specified in this Agreement for the taking of an action by the Beneficiaries under the affected provision of this Agreement, the Trustee shall promptly make and execute a declaration amending this Agreement for the purpose of adding any material provisions to or changing in any material manner or eliminating any of the material provisions of this Agreement or amendments thereto as they apply to the Trust; provided, however, that no such amendment shall permit the Trustee to engage in any activity prohibited by Section 6.1 hereof or affect the Beneficiaries’ rights to receive their pro rata shares of the Trust Assets at the time of distribution; provided further, however, that no consent of the Beneficiaries shall be required with respect to any amendment made solely for the purpose of facilitating the transferability by Beneficiaries of Trust Units or to comply with applicable laws, including tax laws, so long as such amendment has been approved by the Trustee. Further, the Trustee may amend this Trust Agreement as it deems reasonably necessary for the purpose of (i) obtaining no-action letter or similar relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission; and/or (ii) making changes to this Agreement that do not adversely affect the rights of the Beneficiaries.
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13.2 Notice and Effect of Amendment. Promptly after the execution by the Trustee of any such declaration of amendment, the Trustee shall give notice of the substance of such amendment to the Beneficiaries or, in lieu thereof, the Trustee may send a copy of the amendment to each Beneficiary. Upon the execution of any such declaration of amendment by the Trustee, this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, and immunities of the Trustee and the Beneficiaries under this Agreement with respect to the Trust shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modification and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such amendment shall be thereby deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Agreement for any and all purposes.
13.3 Trustee’s Declining to Execute Documents. If, in the reasonable opinion of the Trustee, any document required to be executed pursuant to the terms of Section 13.2 hereof adversely affects any right, obligation, immunity or indemnity in favor of the Trustee under this Agreement, the Trustee may in its discretion decline to execute such document.
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
14.1 Filing Documents. This Agreement shall be filed or recorded in such office or offices as the Trustee may determine to be necessary or desirable. A copy of this Agreement and all amendments thereof shall be maintained in the office of the Trustee and shall be available at all times during regular business hours for inspection by any Beneficiary or his duly authorized representative. The Trustee shall file or record any amendment of this Agreement in the same places where the original Agreement is filed or recorded. The Trustee shall file or record any instrument which relates to any change in the office of the Trustee in the same places where the original Agreement is filed or recorded.
14.2 Intention of Parties to Establish Trust. This Agreement is not intended to create and shall not be interpreted as creating a corporation, association, partnership, or joint venture of any kind for purposes of federal income taxation or for any other purpose.
14.3 Beneficiaries Have No Rights or Privileges as Holders of Partnership Interests. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or under applicable law, the Beneficiaries shall have no rights or privileges attributable to their former status as holders of Partnership Interests.
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14.4 Laws as to Construction. THE TRUSTEE, AND THE BENEFICIARIES (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF ANY DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO THEM PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT), CONSENT AND AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF [DELAWARE], WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF [DELAWARE] AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR ANY DISTRICT WITHIN SUCH STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR JUDGMENT RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. SERVICE OF PROCESS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON EACH PARTY HERETO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD BY THE SAME METHODS AS ARE SPECIFIED FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN SUCH COURT. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH COURTS AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. ALL PARTIES WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ALL SUCH DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND DEMANDS.
14.5 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstances shall be finally determined by a court of proper jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
14.6 Notices. Any notice or other communication by the Trustee to any Beneficiary shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given, for all purposes, if deposited, postage prepaid, in a post office or letter box addressed to such Person at his address as shown in the records of the Trust.
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally or sent by cable, telegram, facsimile transmission or telex to the Trustee at the following address or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the Trustee:
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If to the Trustee:
PLM Financial Services, Inc.
405 Lexington Avenue, 67th Floor
New York, NY 10174
Fax: (212) 682-3464
14.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the General Partner of the Grantor has caused this Agreement to be executed by an authorized officer, and the Trustee hereunder has executed this Agreement, as Trustee and not as an individual, as of the date first set forth herein.
GRANTOR: PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII,
a California limited partnership
| By: | PLM Financial Services, Inc., its General Partner |
By: /s/ Richard K Brock
Richard K Brock, Chief Financial Officer
TRUSTEE: PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Richard K Brock
Richard K Brock, Chief Financial Officer
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SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE OF FEES
to act as
TRUSTEE, REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND DISTRIBUTION AGENT
OF THE LIQUIDATING TRUST
The Trustee shall receive no compensation for its services hereunder other than an amount equivalent to the compensation and other payments that the Trustee would have received as General Partner of the Partnership for the same or similar services undertaken by the Trustee hereunder if the General Partner had undertaken such services on behalf of the Partnership. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive such compensation at the times and in the manner that it would have received such compensation as General Partner of the Partnership.
Exhibit A
to
Bill of Sale, Assignment, Acceptance and Assumption Agreement
Transferred Assets
