Settlor Definition: The person who actually creates a trust by donating property to be managed and administered by a trustee but from which all profits would go to a beneficiary. Related Terms: Beneficiary, Trust, Donor Scott defines the settlor as: "... the person who creates a trust, whether by a transaction inter vivos or by will...." The law books of some countries refer to this person as a donor and according to Scott, the word "trustor" has even been used as has "author of the trust." The most common example of a settlor is the testator who, in writing a will, necessarily creates a trust as between the moment of death and distribution of his or her estate, the deceased's assets will be held by a trustee to be collected and distributed in accordance with the terms of the will. REFERENCES: Scott, A., The Law of Trusts, 4th Edition (Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 1987). Introduction To The Law of Trusts Trust Law: The Players Trust Law: When Things Get Nasty Charitable Trusts Constructive and Resulting Trusts Trust Law: The Big Cases Categories & Topics: Trusts, Wills, Estates and Probate Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!