Expert Trust Formation, Administration, and Asset Protection

Our team members are experts in their field and can advise on all trust and related areas of advice.

Trust law

Trust law is complex. There is scrutiny of trusts to ensure that trust structures have been established for proper purposes and are being properly administered.

We can assist with:

Formation of trusts to best achieve your wishes to ensure it remains fit for purpose
Transferring assets into trusts (whether at formation or subsequently)
Ongoing advice for the Settlor or Trustees as to how best to achieve the trusts' objectives
Annual administration of trusts including review or gifting meetings
Variations or winding up trust

Trust assessment, design & review

At the assessment, design and review stage, we will offer advice around whether a trust structure is right for your needs. If it is, then we move to establish what that trust structure should be, and, in the case of existing trusts, we review the structure and recommend any improvements including resettlement into new trusts.

As part of the review process we consider the following:

Asset protection (risk) assessment and advice as to whether a trust structure can assist in relation to any business and/or future rest home subsidy
Asset Planning assessment and advice as to whether a trust structure will be of assistance to you
Review of existing trusts or other asset structures to consider suitability Liaison with tax, banking and financial advisors to ensure the correct structure is used
Design of recommended structure to meet the ongoing needs of clients
Resettlement into a new trust if required

Trust implementation

At the formation stage, we will offer advice around whether a trust structure is right for you. If it is, then we move to establish what the trust structure should look like.

In the case of existing trusts, we can review the structure and recommend any improvements including resettlement into new trusts.

Asset transfers

An important part of the trust process is the transfer of assets. We assist clients to move assets from a company or personal ownership structure into the trust.

It is important to document and account these transfers correctly, including how they are funded.

We deal with:

Transfer of assets such as property, shares, cash and investments into the trust
Recording subsequent loans
Gifting and forgiveness of debt advice and implementation

Ongoing advice for trusts

It is important that trusts are managed correctly. We give advice to trustees and beneficiaries regarding the management and governance of trusts and dealing with trust assets, including advising when there is a change in personal circumstance or change to the law.

Annual administration of trusts

Annual management of a trust is important to assist the trustees to meet their annual obligations.

These obligations include meeting on a regular basis to consider all beneficiaries and keeping clear and accurate records of the trust’s assets and the trustees decisions.

Trust variations and wind up

It is important to ensure that any trust structure continues to meet the objectives of the original trust at the time the trust was formed.

We can assist the trustees and settlors to make specific changes required throughout the life of the trust to ensure continuity and, when the time is right, to properly wind up the trust.