Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Re: changing age from 18 to 21 on a Ca Utma

Your question aroused my curiosity, so I went and read the statute (Probate Code Sections 3900 to 3925). UTMA custodianship ccounts can be set up to terminate at 18, 21 even in some cases at 25, but my reading of the statute is that the terms cannot be changed after the original "transfer" is made. However, 18 is young to have control over any substantial amount of $$, and Grandpa can make earlier distributions for your daughter's education, so I suggest that you start by requesting him to do that rather than antagonizing him by challenging the legality of his action.