What key factor distinguishes charitable trusts from non-charitable trusts regarding beneficiary identification?

The primary distinction between charitable trusts and non-charitable trusts in terms of beneficiary identification lies in the nature of the beneficiaries. Non-charitable trusts require the trust document to specify individual beneficiaries. This is essential because, for a non-charitable trust to be valid, it must have clearly identifiable recipients who can enforce the trust terms and benefit from the assets.

Charitable trusts, on the other hand, do not have to identify specific individuals as beneficiaries. Instead, they are created for the purpose of benefiting the public or a specific segment of the public, serving a charitable purpose. This means that the focus is not on named beneficiaries but rather on achieving a societal benefit, which can be more broadly defined.

The other options do not capture this unique aspect adequately. For instance, while charitable trusts must have a defined charitable purpose, they are distinguished from non-charitable trusts specifically by their flexibility in beneficiary identification. Thus, the key differentiator is the requirement for non-charitable trusts to name identifiable individuals.