Many states have a construction trust fund statute that requires all funds disbursed to any contractor or subcontractor under any building, construction, or remodeling contract to be held in trust for the payment of the subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers, and not to be used for any other purpose.
This means that, in addition to the contractual obligations between the owner, general contractor, subcontractors, and materials suppliers, a construction trust fund statute creates a fiduciary duty (the highest duty recognized by law) for persons holding construction funds (contractors and subcontractors) by classifying the funds as trust funds. This not only creates personal liability for the trustee holding the funds (contractor or subcontractor), but also for any other directors or officers of the company that controlled the finances.
These significant legal consequences exist because the construction funds don’t belong to the person holding them—they belong to the person or entity to whom they are ultimately owed (subcontractor or materials supplier) and for whom they are earmarked. The person or entity to whom the funds are disbursed (contractor or subcontractor) is holding the funds in trust for the benefit of the subcontractors and materials suppliers who provided the labor or materials to improve the land or buildings. And the duty and debt owed under a construction trust fund statute cannot be discharged in a bankruptcy filing.
If construction project payments are used for any purpose other than paying persons providing labor and materials for the construction project, it is considered theft and may be charged as a criminal offense. There is no requirement of bad faith or malicious intent by the trustee who failed to hold the funds in trust for the labor or materials supplier for whom the funds were intended.
For example, using the construction trust funds for one project to fund other projects, or to pay for legitimate business expenses or overhead costs, or to pay personal expenses is a violation of the construction trust fund statute—and ignorance of the law and the trustee’s responsibilities under the law is no excuse.
In some states a person holding construction trust funds must keep the funds in a separate bank account. Other states do not require a separate bank account, but require the general contractor (trustee), for example, to maintain separate records of account for each project or contract.
In Maine, the concept of construction trust fund statutes is designed to protect subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers by ensuring that the funds they are owed for their work on a construction project are used appropriately. While Maine does not have a specific construction trust fund statute, the state does have laws that govern the prompt payment to subcontractors and suppliers. These laws require contractors and subcontractors to pay their subcontractors and suppliers within a reasonable time after receiving payment for a construction project. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including interest and attorney fees. Additionally, misappropriation of funds intended for payment to subcontractors and suppliers could potentially lead to civil or criminal liability under other statutes, such as those pertaining to theft or fraud. It is important for contractors and subcontractors to understand their obligations and to manage construction funds responsibly to avoid legal consequences. While Maine law may not mandate separate accounts for construction funds, best practices suggest maintaining clear records and accounts to ensure that funds are properly allocated and disbursed to the parties to whom they are owed.
