Denominational Trust Clause Blog
Local churches may have a denominational trust clause in their chain of title, or, have a denomination who asserts a trust on property through a Book of Discipline or Book of Order. When the local church wishes to leave the denomination, they are told that the members can leave the denomination but the property is to remain to the denomination. This typically comes a shock to the leaders of the Church and the members of the local church who have paid for the property, paid for the construction of the buildings and have maintained the property for decades.
Dalton & Tomich’s trust clause blog is a comprehensive resource for local churches who are looking to protect their property, preserve their ministry and retain their assets. You’ll find the latest information on pivotal legal decisions, internal Methodist polity matters, related Methodist matters, video’s and insights from experienced legal professionals that have helped protect the rights of local churches.
Trust Clause Information From the Most Experienced Attorneys
The trust clause blog is curated by national leaders in assisting local churches leave their denomination and retain their property. It highlights trust clause case studies, descriptions of state laws and state cases, and commentary on related news. It’s a resource for all local churches who are seeking to leave their denomination, retain their property and protect their ministry.
The National Reach of Dalton & Tomich PLC
With offices in Detroit, Michigan – Chicago, Illinois – and Rockford, Illinois, we are strategically positioned to help congregations throughout the United States by providing explanations of how trust clause cases are litigated and evaluated in each state. Trust clause cases vary from state to state, but federal laws apply across the United States. The Dalton & Tomich legal team consults on cases around the country to bring you local insights on a national level.
Current Events and Timeless Information
The information found on our blog covers current events that are happening now and how they impact local churches who wish to preserve their ministry and protect their assets in the future.

Success stories of local Methodist Churches leaving The United Methodist Church and retaining their property – Hobbs Chapel in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
The Missouri Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church reached […]
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Success stories of local Methodist churches leaving The United Methodist Church and retaining their property – Northside Church of Jackson, Tennessee
Northside Church of Jackson, Tennessee, formerly known as the Northside […]
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Success stories of local churches leaving The United Methodist Church and retaining their property -Christ Church of Fairview Heights, Illinois
The Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference of The United Methodist […]
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The next steps a local Methodist Church should take when they wish to leave the UMC and retain their property. Part 7
This is the seventh blog in a series of discussions […]
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How does a Court decide who owns the property of a local United Methodist Church? Part 6
In the first blog of this series, I outlined the […]
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How does a Court decide who owns the property of a local church departing from The United Methodist Church? Part 5
In the first blog of this series, I outlined the […]
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How does a Court decide who owns the property of a local church departing from The United Methodist Church? Part 4
In this first blog of this series, I outlined the […]
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How does a Court decide who owns the property of a local church departing from The United Methodist Church? Part 3
In the first blog, I discussed Supreme Court precedent addressing […]
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How does a Court decide who owns the property of a local church departing from The United Methodist Church? Part 2
In the last blog, I reviewed Supreme Court precedent on […]
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How does a Court decide who owns the property of a local church departing from The United Methodist Church? Part 1
The history of religious growth in the United States can […]
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Dalton & Tomich PLC commits to advancing the educational experience of law students with $25,000 land use and zoning scholarship at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero; EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466 Detroit—December 8, […]
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The price of a local church leaving the United Methodist Church and keeping your property
The decision to leave the United Methodist Church may come […]
Read MoreABOUT DALTON & TOMICH, PLC
This Trust Clause blog is published by one of the most denominational trust clause legal teams in the United States. The attorneys at Dalton & Tomich have served as legal representatives and expert consultants on some of the most high-profile trust clause cases in the country. Our work has brought us coast-to-coast as we work to help religious organizations preserve their right to use the land they own.
On the Dalton & Tomich, PLC land law blog you can also find company updates. Meet the latest members of our team and read about the outcomes of our most recent cases. It’s a great way to get to know the people behind the legal process.