Can beneficiary and trustee be the same?

No, a beneficiary and trustee cannot be the same person in most cases, as this could create a conflict of interest. A trustee is responsible for managing the trust's assets and ensuring they are distributed according to the trust's terms, while a beneficiary is the individual or entity that receives benefits from the trust. However, some jurisdictions allow an individual to serve as both, but it's generally advisable to have separate parties to maintain checks and balances.