What does it mean when someone has a savings account in their name but also has someone else's name on the account in trust?

Answer 1

When someone's name is on an account, it means they own the money in the account and have access to the account. When someone's name is on the account as beneficiary or "in trust for", it means they have future ownership of the funds in the case that the owner dies. Until that happens, the beneficiary has no ownership or access to the funds or information about the account. Sometimes, the trustee doesn't even know they are on the account as beneficiary.

Example:

"John Smith as trustee for Timmy Smith" or "John Smith in trust for Timmy Smith"

John is owner, and has access. He is also known as "Trustee"

Timmy is beneficiary, has no ownership or access until death of John Smith

hope that helps

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The trustee or owner of the money doesn't necessarily have to die for the beneficiary to gain access to the funds. Sometimes it is the Trustee's duty to release a little money at a time, over time. The point being the Trustee is in a position of trust having a "fiduciary duty" to the beneficiary, in this example the duty of releasing the money according to the owners wishes. The Trustee administrates the Trust, and might not be a beneficiary at all. The beneficiary has ownership under the law "in equity." The Trustee has ownership in common law until his fiduciary duties have been discharged. That said, Trust Law is a very unsettled branch of the law.