What Is a Family Trust?
A family trust is a type of private trust and a powerful financial planning tool, commonly used in estate planning. Through a standard trust deed and a personalized letter of wishes, you can tailor a plan that covers multiple objectives, including wealth growth, succession arrangements, and retirement preparation.
Initial trust assets may include:
- Liquid assets (e.g., cash, securities, fund units)
- Fixed assets (e.g., real estate, corporate shares, art collections)
- Equity-based assets (e.g., insurance policies, contractual agreements)
Key advantages:
- Avoids the cumbersome, costly, and asset-freezing probate process, enabling swift estate transfer.
- Highly private, unlike wills which are public records.
- Difficult to challenge, helping preserve family harmony.
- Prevents waste by future generations, allowing phased distribution aligned with education or career goals.
- Highly flexible, with options to add assets at any time or establish enduring powers of attorney.
- Ensures continuity of management without court intervention if the settlor becomes incapacitated.
A family trust not only protects wealth but also serves as a wise choice for building dreams for future generations.