Which term describes the person who typically directs the creation of the trust and provides the assets that are placed into the trust?

• A. Grantor, settlor, or trust maker
• B. Beneficiary
• C. Trustee
• D. Testator

Answer: (A)

The person who starts and funds a trust is the grantor, also called the settlor or trust maker. This is the individual who creates the trust agreement and transfers assets into the trust, setting the rules for how those assets will be managed and who will benefit. The trustee is the fiduciary who administers the trust in accordance with those terms. The beneficiaries are the people or organizations who ultimately receive the trust assets. A testator, by contrast, is someone who creates a will, not a trust, and uses a will to plan asset distribution upon death.