The person who creates a trust by transferring property to a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries. The settlor establishes the terms and conditions governing how the trust operates.
From 'settle' meaning to establish or arrange, with the agent suffix '-or.' The term evolved from the concept of 'settling' property arrangements, originally referring to marriage settlements and family property arrangements.
The settlor is the mastermind behind every trust - they're like the architect who designs the building but then hands the keys to someone else to manage! Once they create the trust, they often step back and let the trustee run the show.
Legal terminology historically defaulted to male pronouns and assumed male property holders. 'Settlor' perpetuates this default, though legally gender-neutral.
Use 'settlor' as gender-neutral, or specify 'settlor (any gender)' in formal contexts to affirm inclusive scope.
["grantor","trust maker"]
Women's property rights were legally restricted across centuries; settlors included gender-diverse people whose contributions are now documented in estate law histories.
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