Who generally has the authority to revoke a revocable living trust?

The grantor of a revocable living trust holds the authority to revoke the trust. This is a fundamental principle underlying revocable trusts, which are designed with flexibility and control for the individual who creates them. The grantor, also referred to as the trustor or settlor, retains the right to alter the terms of the trust, withdraw assets, or completely dissolve the trust as long as they are alive and mentally competent.

This authority stems from the nature of revocable living trusts, which allows the grantor to maintain control over the trust assets and make changes to the trust's structure as life circumstances evolve. The power to revoke is a significant aspect, enabling the grantor to adapt to new situations or decisions regarding the management of their estate during their lifetime.

In contrast, the roles of the trustee, beneficiaries, and court-appointed advisors are more limited regarding trust revocation. The trustee manages the trust but does not have the unilateral power to revoke it, while beneficiaries cannot revoke the trust unless the grantor gives them this authority. Court-appointed advisors typically assist with oversight or specific duties and do not have the power to revoke a trust without the grantor's consent.