My brother has a long-term care insurance policy with no top limit and Medicare insurance. He also receives SS and pension payments monthly.
This plus stock investments and forthcoming income due to selling his home.
A sister-in law has two children and I also have two children that could use some financial support. I'm financially secure.
Is it within my authority to direct some of John's finances to the children while he's still living?
Some Trusts provide for periodic and/or annual disbursements to family members, especially from asset portfolios. You need to review the Trust thoroughly, and even better, ask for interpretation from the attorney who prepared the Trust if and under what circumstances disbursements can be made to the children.
Given that he's in need of a high level of care, and if there are any provisions for disbursements to heirs while he's still living, I'm thinking that a properly drafted Trust would first provide that funds go to his maintenance and needs. That's an aspect you need to verify.