A real estate investment trust has broad powers to run its business, deal with property and securities, appoint people, make bylaws, and indemnify or advance expenses.
A real estate investment trust has the power to: (1) Unless the declaration of trust provides otherwise, have perpetual existence unaffected by any rule against perpetuities. (2) Sue, be sued, complain, and defend in all courts. (3) Transact its business, carry on its operations, and exercise the powers granted by this chapter in any state, territory, district, or possession of the United States and in any foreign country. (4) Make contracts, incur liabilities, and borrow money. (5) Sell, mortgage, lease, pledge, exchange, convey, transfer, and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its assets. (6) Issue bonds, notes, and other obligations, and secure them by mortgage or deed of trust of all or any part of its assets. (7) Subject to Section 10A-10-1.10, acquire by purchase, or in any other manner, take, receive, own, hold, use, employ, improve, encumber, and otherwise deal with any interest in real and personal property, wherever located. (8) Purchase, take, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, loan, pledge, or otherwise dispose of and deal with: a. Securities, shares, and other interests in any obligations of domestic and foreign corporations, other real estate investment trusts, associations, partnerships, and individuals. b. Direct and indirect obligations of the United States, any other government, state, territory, government district, and municipality, and any of their instrumentalities. (9) Elect or appoint trustees, officers, and agents of the trust for the period of time the declaration of trust or bylaws provide, define their duties, and determine their compensation. (10) Adopt and implement employee or officer benefit plans. (11) Make and alter bylaws not inconsistent with law or with its declaration of trust to regulate the government of the real estate investment trust and the administration of its affairs. (12) Exercise these powers, including the power to take, hold, and dispose of the title to real and personal property in the name of the trust or in the name of its trustees, without the filing of any bond. (13) Generally exercise the powers set forth in its declaration of trust which are not inconsistent with law and are appropriate to promote and attain the purposes set forth in its declaration of trust. (14) Indemnify or advance expenses to trustees, officers, employees, and agents of the trust to the same extent as permitted for directors, officers, employees, and agents of an Alabama corporation under the Alabama Business Corporation Law.