What duty does a trustee owe to the beneficiaries of a trust?

A trustee has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries of a trust. This means that the trustee must manage the trust assets prudently and loyally, with the intention of benefiting the beneficiaries. The trustee's actions should be guided by the trust's terms and the overall welfare of the beneficiaries, rather than personal interests or gain.

This duty encompasses various responsibilities, such as prudently investing trust assets, making informed decisions, and maintaining transparency with beneficiaries about the management of the trust. The trustee is obligated to avoid conflicts of interest and self-dealing, ensuring that their actions align with the beneficiaries' interests rather than their own benefit or any external pressure.

In contrast, the other choices reflect misinterpretations of a trustee's responsibilities. Maximizing personal benefits, holding legal title for their own interest, or managing assets solely for their gain contradict the foundational principle of fiduciary duty, which prioritizes the beneficiaries' interests above all else.