Duhaime's Law Dictionary Donor Definition: The person who donates property to the benefit of another, usually through the legal mechanism of a trust. Related Terms: Settlor, Beneficiary, Donee, Trust, Trustee, Power of Attorney The giver of a trust (the recipient being the donee); the person who establishes the trust, from whom comes the property forming the subject matter of the trust. The term encompasses both the settlor of a testamentary trust (the testator) and the settlor of an express trust, (just as, for example, the term personal representative encompasses both the executor or the Court-appointed administrator of an estate). Thus, the person who creates a trust within a will is, in law, all of a testator, a settlor and a donor. The term is also used to describe the person who signs a power of attorney, and thereby gives his/her authority and powers to another, instead of the synonymous term, in that context, of principal. Categories & Topics: Duhaime's Trusts, Wills, Estates and Probate Law Dictionary Always looking up definitions? Save time with our search provider (modern browsers only) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Law Dictionary, or if you have suggestion for a legal term, we'd love to hear from you!