← All terms

Life · Chapter 6 · Beneficiaries

Distribution to a Minor / Trust

Definition
Insurers generally will NOT pay proceeds directly to a minor (no legal capacity) — a guardian or trustee is appointed, or the insurer holds proceeds at interest until majority. A trust is the most advantageous designation for a minor. Testamentary trust = created at death by will; inter vivos (living) trust = created during life.
Easy to confuse with

These are what this term gets tested against — if you can't tell them apart cold, drill the contrast.

Related terms
Drill this termChapter lesson
Verified against primary sources · 2026-08-10