Trust Registration
Custodianship of the assets
Custodianship of the assets of the trust prevent assets from being squandered or wastefully dissipated, for example,
in those instances where the beneficiary is a minor or is insolvent or is incapacitated or is too irresponsible or inexperienced in money matters.
Governance (management and control of trust assets) is facilitated
Where may owners with divergent expectations and requirements own the same
asset the management of the assets becomes complicated if not impossible.
Protection of assets against creditors
A discretionary trust enjoys creditor protection in the event of the trust beneficiary's insolvency. The
assets of the trust are held by the trustees and the creditors who are the beneficiaries cannot attack the assets if the beneficiaries have no vested rights to the assets.
Estate duty and related savings
Estate duty and related savings are achieved by divesting oneself of ownership of growth assets in favour of
a trust. In so doing for as long as the trustees keep the trust going and retain the assets for the unvested and unspecified benefit of the planner’s descendants no estate duty need be paid on the death of the descendant.
Definition and Duties of Trustees
The trustee can be either a person or a legal entity such as a company. A trust may have one or multiple trustees.
A trustee has many rights and responsibilities; these vary from trust to trust depending on the type of the trust. A trust generally will not fail solely for want of a trustee. A court may appoint a trustee, or
in Ireland the trustee may be any administrator of a charity to which the trust is related. Trustees are usually appointed in the document (instrument) which creates the trust. A trustee may be held personally liable
for certain problems which arise with the trust. For example, if a trustee does not properly invest trust monies to expand the trust fund, he or she may be liable for the difference. There are two main types of
trustees, professional and non-professional. Liability is different for the two types. The trustees are the legal owners of the trust's property. The trustees administer the affairs attendant to the trust. The trust's
affairs may include investing the assets of the trust, ensuring trust property is preserved and productive for the beneficiaries, accounting for and reporting periodically to the beneficiaries concerning all transactions
associated with trust property, filing any required tax returns on behalf of the trust, and other duties. In some cases, the trustees must make decisions as to whether beneficiaries should receive trust assets for
their benefit. The circumstances in which this discretionary authority is exercised by trustees is usually provided for under the terms of the trust instrument. The trustee's duty is to determine in the specific
instance of a beneficiary request whether to provide any funds and in what manner. By default, being a trustee is an unpaid job. In modern times trustees are often lawyers or other professionals who cannot afford
to work for free. Therefore, often a trust document will state specifically that trustees are entitled to reasonable payment for their work.
Different Types of Trust
Testamentary trust (mortis cause) Testamentary trusts are the most common trusts in use. They are especially suited
to the protection of interest of minors and other dependants who are not able to look after their own affairs. These types of trusts come into being only after the death of the testator. The trust is administered
by trustees appointed in terms of the will, and is usually ended after a predetermined period or at a determined event like a minor turning 18 or the death of an income beneficiary. Assets that form part of an estate
may be moved to this trust, with or without limited rights such as usufruct. A testator appoints the trustees in a will. The trust is formed by placing a trust clause in a will, which serves the same purpose as
a trust deed. During the estate settlement period of the deceased estate, the appointed trustees apply for a letter of authorization at the same office of the Master of the High Court as where the estate is registered.
A testamentary trust may further be both a discretionary or vested trust.
Discretionary trust
Payment of income and/or capital is subject to the discretion of the trustees and all non-allocated income is taxable in
the hands of the trust. This type of trust may thus be utilised to save on income tax by splitting incomes. Capital beneficiaries may only be determined at a later stage.
Discretionary trust
Payment of income and/or capital is subject to the discretion of the trustees and all non-allocated income is taxable in
the hands of the trust. This type of trust may thus be utilised to save on income tax by splitting incomes. Capital beneficiaries may only be determined at a later stage.
Required documents & Details
1. Minimum 3 members.
2. Trust name.
3. Socity address details
English