What is the Process to Change the Beneficiaries Within a Living Trust?

Generally, a written amendment can be made to a Trust while the Donor(s) are alive to revise the beneficiaries or the distributions to those beneficiaries. But if the Donor(s) have passed away, that option no longer exists.

If the Donor(s) have died, the Trustee named in the Trust must administer the Trust as it is written — not as the Trustee pleases.

However, if the Trustee has been given wide-ranging discretion within the terms of the Trust document as to how to administer it, then he or she can act accordingly and simply document the actions taken in order to keep track of Trust assets and distributions.

If further guidance as to the legitimacy of changes made to a Trust are required, Standard Legal always recommends you consult an attorney; you can find a local attorney for FREE at Standard Legal’s Attorney Find page.