Taking care of those left behind
Protecting your assets and minimising tax through a testamentary trust could save your loved ones heartache as well as money.
A testamentary trust is a trust created by a will. But instead of the assets of a deceased estate being distributed to the beneficiaries, assets are retained in a trust for the benefit of the beneficiaries.
The control of the testamentary trust lies with the trustee of the testamentary trust as set out in the will. The trustee can be any person, group of people or company. Often the surviving spouse is the trustee until death and then control is passed to the children.
Testamentary trusts may contain all of the assets of a deceased estate, or only some. Any specific assets can be distributed to any beneficiary, rather than being passed to the testamentary trust. Usually, the Will is structured so that the personal belongings and household effects of the deceased are passed to the surviving spouse or children, as there is no benefit in transferring them to the testamentary trust.
Often we leave the careful drafting of our wills until we believe every other issue has been dealt with. This is not a recommended strategy. It is more important to have a current will to deal with the situation as it is now and to provide for the future (such as the use of a testamentary trust) – if need be, your will can always be amended at a later time.
Need help with Financial Planning & Wealth Advisory?
Our expert team have specialist experience in Financial Planning & Wealth Advisory
The Bentleys Team
Tony Sacre
Chief Executive Officer
Bentleys Network
Jo Adams
Network Marketing Director
Bentleys Network
Testamentary Trusts: What you need to know
With all trust matters, the right solution is entirely dependent on your circumstances. Here are two important considerations around testamentary trusts:
Asset Protection
Testamentary trusts are not owned by the beneficiaries and therefore can offer a level of protection from the beneficiaries’ creditors or, in the event of a marital breakdown, their spouse.
Tax Benefits:
The assets of a testamentary trust allow the taxable income of the estate to be taxed more effectively in three ways: Income may be distributed to those beneficiaries who pay the lower rate of tax. Adult tax rates are applied to children under 18 years of age, but children are not taxed at the penalty tax rates that normally apply to unearned income over $416. This applies to all beneficiaries of the testamentary trust and therefore can include the grandchildren of the deceased. As the assets of the testamentary trust are not assets of the beneficiaries, they do not form part of the assets test for eligibility for Government assistance
Some of these services must be performed by an Australian Financial Services Licence holder or through an authorised representative. Your closest office can direct you to the correct advisor.
The information provided by Bentleys does not constitute financial product advice and is for general information only. It is written without taking into account any individuals personal objectives, situation or needs, and is not intended as professional advice. Any person acting upon such information without receiving specific advice, does so entirely at their own risk. Please contact your Accountant to discuss your personal situation before relying on this information.
Unsure about which solution is right for you?
SOLUTIONS FINDER can help you find out more about the Bentleys services and experts who will deliver the results you’re looking for.