Can you withdraw funds from a revocable trust before a beneficiary's death?

Withdrawing funds from a revocable trust before a beneficiary's death is permissible because revocable trusts are designed to provide the grantor (the person who creates the trust) with flexibility and control over the trust assets as long as they are alive. In a revocable trust, the grantor maintains ownership and control of the assets, which means they can withdraw funds or alter the trust terms at any point during their lifetime.

This feature is essential for individuals who want to ensure that they can change their estate planning arrangements as their circumstances or intentions evolve. The status of the trust being "revocable" indicates that the grantor retains the right to revoke or modify the trust entirely. Therefore, they can access the funds within it before any beneficiaries experience a distribution upon the grantor's death.

This characteristic differentiates revocable trusts from irrevocable ones, where the grantor typically relinquishes control over the assets, and access is greatly limited after the trust is established. Consequently, the ability to withdraw funds from a revocable trust remains intact up until the grantor’s death or the specific conditions defined within the trust, but not limited to any beneficiary's death.