What aspect does a trustee NOT have the power to do?

A trustee has specific responsibilities and powers pertaining to the management and administration of a trust. Their primary role is to ensure that the trust is administered in accordance with the terms set forth in the trust document and in the best interest of the beneficiaries.

The power to change beneficiaries of the trust is typically not within the trustee's authority, as it goes beyond the duties of managing trust assets and making distributions. Changes to beneficiaries usually require the explicit permission of the trustor (the person who created the trust) or must be stipulated in the trust document itself. The trustee's role is to adhere to the wishes of the trustor as expressed in the trust agreement. Therefore, the trustee cannot independently alter who receives benefits from the trust.

In contrast, the trustee is empowered to manage the trust assets, which includes making decisions about investments and other financial matters. They can also make distributions to beneficiaries following the guidelines set in the trust document, and they must comply with fiduciary duties, which require them to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries with loyalty and care. This combination of powers emphasizes the trustee's responsibility to uphold the intentions of the trustor while ensuring the trust is managed effectively.