For formal legal purposes the Trustee is recognised as the legal owner of the property. The persons who have the benefit of the property are the Beneficiaries. These are important distinctions. The Settlor may retain an interest in the trust – for example, be an actual or potential beneficiary – but this can have tax disadvantages for the Settlor. The Trustee must remain independent and exercise proper control over the trust property. If the person who sets up the trust continues to exercise control over the trust assets the trust may be rendered void.