Polygamists and Trusts

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is reported to be the largest independent polygamist group in the United States.

There has been considerable controversy regarding this group’s practices which has lead to government investigations as well as former members who are rebellious or embittered.

Some of the former members, rather than leaving Colorado City, Arizona where the group is based, are attempting to reclaim their homes.  However, the groups homes and chattels are actually owned by the United Effort Plan which holds this property in trust.  Government officials are now attempting to find a method to allow these former members to recover this property.

See A Brewing Storm, The Economist, Oct. 13, 2005.

Special thanks to Prof. Alfred Brophy of the University of Alabama School of Law and his student, Cullan Duke, for bringing this article to my attention.