What is the beneficiary of a trust called?
James Williams
Published Apr 17, 2026
A trust is a legal arrangement through which one person, called a “settlor” or “grantor,” gives assets to another person (or an institution, such as a bank or law firm), called a “trustee.” The trustee holds legal title to the assets for another person, called a “beneficiary.” The rights of a trust beneficiary depend …
Can you make a beneficiary a trust?
To name a special needs trust as a beneficiary, use the name of the trustee and the full legal name of the trust as beneficiary: For example: Chris Lee as the trustee of The Pat Lee Special Needs Trust”
A beneficiary of trust is the individual or group of individuals for whom a trust is created. The trust creator or grantor designates beneficiaries and a trustee, who has a fiduciary duty to manage trust assets in the best interests of beneficiaries as outlined in the trust agreement.
Can you name a living trust as a beneficiary?
If you have a living trust, you can use your will to transfer property to the trust after your death. Also, if you name your trust as the sole beneficiary or the residuary beneficiary of your will, the pour-over will covers any property that you might have neglected to transfer to the trust during your life.
Who is the primary beneficiary of a living trust?
A primary beneficiary of a trust is the beneficiary you designate to receive the trust property first. You can have more than one primary beneficiary, and you may designate how much each will receive from the trust. The primary beneficiary should be clearly named in the trust documents.
Who is the first beneficiary of a living trust?
While the grantor is still living, he is usually the first and only beneficiary. Contingent beneficiaries are those named individuals or entities that receive the trust’s contents upon the grantor’s death. Generally, these beneficiaries only have the right to see the trust when the grantor dies and the trust is no longer revocable.
What happens when no one is named as a beneficiary?
If a trust fails because it lacks an ascertainable beneficiary, a resulting trust follows. A resulting trust is a tool used by courts to return a failed trust’s assets to the settlor. For example, Bob is the settlor of ABC trust.
Who is the trustee of a living trust?
With a living trust, the grantor is able to assign exactly what assets he wants distributed to which beneficiary on his own terms. A trustee is the person who manages the trust on behalf of the beneficiary.
Can a pet be named as a beneficiary in a trust?
Legally, animals are considered property under the law. Historically, they could not be named as trust beneficiaries. In recent years, states have begun recognizing pet care trusts as an an exception to the ascertainable beneficiary requirement.