Discretionary Family Trust in Australia
You can use the FAQs on this page to help you when you are setting up an Australian Discretionary Trust —
these trusts are also known as a "family trust" in Australia. You can go to this page to set up a Discretionary Trust
online.
As part of the set up, we provide all the documents you need, including the Discretionary Trust Deed, or family trust deed.
Why can't a sole trustee be a sole beneficiary?
The sole trustee cannot be the sole beneficiary because a trust is a legal relationship between
a trustee and the beneficiary or beneficiaries.
If a sole trustee were also the sole beneficiary, then this would be an agreement that
a person had with themselves. The law says that no trust can exist in these circumstances.
However, a trustee can be a beneficiary of the trust as long as there is at least one other beneficiary as well.
Can an estate be named as a beneficiary?
No. A person's estate does not exist until a person dies.
So an estate cannot be named as a beneficiary as an estate is not a person.
Can the trustee distribute to an estate if the beneficiary is deceased?
Yes, if a beneficiary dies then the trustee may make a distribution to the beneficiary's estate
- the Cleardocs discretionary trust deed has 2 requirements to allow for this:
- There must be a testamentary trust in the deceased beneficiary's will; and
-
The relevant beneficiaries of the discretionary trust must also be
beneficiaries of the testamentary trust in the will.
Can I name a charitable entity as a beneficiary?
Yes, you can name a charitable entity as a beneficiary - but you must be specific (or else the trust might be void for uncertainty). You need to decide exactly who you wish to benefit and in what capacity they are acting (eg: company, trustee etc.) so you can specifically name the body that will benefit from the trust.
For example, you can't just name 'the green movement' as the beneficiary. You need to name the entity precisely, for example: "World Wide Fund for Nature Australia".
Can a trust be a beneficiary under the discretionary trust?
No (but see next 2 questions). A trust cannot be a beneficiary under a discretionary trust
because the law says a trust is not a separate legal person.
For example, the 'John Smith Family Trust' cannot be named as a beneficiary of another trust.
Even so, the trustee of a trust, in his, her or its capacity as trustee,
is capable of being a beneficiary of a trust - see next question.
Can a trustee be a beneficiary under a discretionary trust?
Yes, a trustee can be a beneficiary of a trust - as long as you include the trustee's name
and their capacity. For example:
'John Smith in his capacity as the trustee of the John Smith Family Trust'.
In this case, the trustee is effectively a beneficiary of the discretionary trust
for the beneficiaries of the trustee's own trust.
(The trust itself cannot be named as a beneficiary as it is not a legal entity.).
Can a corporate trustee be a beneficiary?
Yes a corporate trustee can be the beneficiary of the trust -
as long as you include the trustee's name and their capacity. For example:
'ABC Pty Ltd in its capacity as the trustee of the ABC Family Trust'.
In this case, the trustee is effectively a beneficiary of the discretionary trust
for the beneficiaries of the trustee's own trust.
(The trust itself cannot be named as a beneficiary as it is not a legal entity.)
Can I have 2 corporate trustees?
Yes, you can appoint 2 companies to act jointly as trustees of a trust.
However, experience shows that having more than one corporate trustee makes administering
the trust much more complicated.
Why can't a beneficiary transfer their "interest" under a discretionary trust to someone else?
A beneficiary can't transfer their "interest" under a discretionary trust to someone else
because until the trustee resolves to make a distribution in favour of that beneficiary,
(or any beneficiary) that beneficiary's "interest" isn't a real "interest" or "right".
Instead, it is what the law calls a "mere expectancy" - which can't be transferred.
How will distributions to a beneficiary who resides overseas be taxed?
A foreign resident who has paid tax on a distribution in Australia may also have to pay income tax again in their own country. However, Australia has "double taxation treaties" with many other countries to ensure that tax is effectively paid in only one of the countries.
Maddocks can give you advice on double taxation treaties.
Does the Settlor have to reside in Australia?
No, the settlor does not need to reside in Australia. However, the settlor must be present
when the trust deed is settled because he/she is responsible for the trust property becoming
vested in the trustee.
Does the settled sum have to be transferred into a bank account or can it be settled with cash?
It is preferable to transfer the settled sum into a bank account.
However, the settled sum does not have to be transferred into a bank account.
As long as the settled sum is kept separate from the other property of the trustee,
it is acceptable to either:
- Staple banknotes for the settled sum to the trust deed, or
- Keep the cash "on trust".
Does a Cleardocs trust give me asset protection?
A trust can play an important role in an asset protection strategy.
However, if you are concerned about asset protection, then you should seek legal advice.
concerning your own circumstances.
When should the trustee apply for an ABN for the trust?
ABNs are not compulsory. However, there are many good reasons to have one - for example, ABNs help:
- You to deal with the ATO; and
-
You in dealing with other businesses when supplying goods or services to them,
or when purchasing goods and services.
Also, you need an ABN to register for GST. Entities carrying on an enterprise in Australia .
with a GST turnover of $75,000 must register for GST.
More information can be found at www.abr.gov.au.
Will the trust be entitled to an ABN?
A trust must meet either one of the following 2 criteria to be eligible for an ABN:
Criterion 1
The entity is any one of:
- A company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 in Australia;
- A charitable institution or trustee of a charitable fund in Australia;
- A deductible gift recipient in Australia; or
- A religious institution in Australia.
Criterion 2
The entity can answer 'Yes' to each of the following statements:
- 1. Its activity is carried out in any of:
- 1.1 the form of a business
- 1.2 the nature of trade, or
- 1.3 the form of a regular or continuous grant of a lease, licence or interest in property.
- 2. Its activity is carried out in Australia or it makes supplies that are connected with Australia.
- 3. Its activity is not a private recreational pursuit or hobby.
What do I do if my bank won't give me finance because "the trust deed doesn't allow it"?
If a bank says it won't give you finance because the trust deed won't allow it, there are 3 steps you can take:
-
Inform the bank that under both the 'Overriding general powers', and 'Specific powers' clauses,
the trustee has very broad powers, which include the power to apply for and obtain finance; and
-
If this doesn't work, ask the bank what amendments to the Deed they require.
Then instruct a lawyer to draft the amendments.
Most issues of this nature can be adequately and promptly addressed in this way.
What do I do if the discretionary trust deed is lost?
You can't simply replace a discretionary trust deed because to do so is likely to create a new trust
- which has tax and stamp duty implications.
So, if a discretionary trust deed has been lost,
then you need to consider the following steps in consultation with a lawyer:
- Arrange for all parties to the deed to conduct a thorough search for the deed;
-
Contact the person (maybe a solicitor or accountant, or their firm)
who arranged the deed to see if they have a copy;
-
Ask the person (maybe a solicitor or accountant, or their firm) who arranged the deed
if they have a deed which they arranged around the same time as your lost deed was arranged;
-
Seek advice from your lawyer as to whether you can use a similar deed to replace the lost Deed; and
-
If none of the above options are available, then the trustee can approach the relevant state or
territory court and apply for directions on how to administer the trust.
Does the Cleardocs Discretionary Trust deed allow for a church as a beneficiary?
The Cleardocs Discretionary Trust deed allows for distributions to churches as eligible beneficiaries:
- if the church is a charity; or
- if the church is a legal entity and the trustee exercises its power to nominate the church as a beneficiary of the trust (for the purpose of receiving distributions).
If you have an existing discretionary trust, then the trustee may exercise its power to nominate a church or churches as an additional class of eligible beneficiaries. The trustee should first seek legal advice on potential resettlement issues before exercising the power.
If you have not yet established the discretionary trust you may wish to add a church or churches as a class of eligible beneficiaries before executing the deed. Maddocks can provide you with a quote to prepare an appropriate amendment.
I want to change the trustee of my discretionary trust from an individual to a corporate trustee. I have not yet incorporated the company to act as trustee. What do I do?
You can create a company through Cleardocs using the Company Registration package. Once you have registered the company it can be appointed as trustee of the trust. You will need to see a solicitor to draft a Deed of Appointment and Resignation. This document officially appoints the new company as trustee of your trust and records the outgoing individual trustee's resignation.
Maddocks can provide you with a quote to prepare these documents. Please call us to arrange a quote from Maddocks.
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