Family Trust
A Family Trust can accommodate a broader range of assets, including property, businesses, and investments. It can be used to support succession planning, wealth preservation, and the structured transfer of family assets.
Best suited for business owners, professionals, and families with substantial or diverse assets who want a comprehensive approach to wealth preservation and succession planning.
Get StartedBuilt around what actually matters
Hold Diverse Asset Types
Accommodate property, businesses and investments under one structure, not just cash.
Built For Succession
Support succession and wealth-preservation strategies, so your business and assets transition smoothly to the next generation.
Greater Control
Decide how assets are managed and distributed, with rules that reflect exactly what you want for your beneficiaries.
Professional Administration
Trust assets are professionally administered and managed, subject to the applicable trust structure and terms.
How Family Trust works
Establish The Trust
Define the purpose of the trust and determine how you want the assets to benefit your loved ones.
Appoint A Trustee
Select a suitable trustee to manage the trust assets according to the trust deed and applicable requirements.
Fund The Trust
Transfer eligible assets into the trust — property, business interests, investments, or designated future benefits.
Manage & Invest The Assets
The trustee manages the assets in accordance with the trust's objectives and applicable risk considerations.
Distribute Benefits
Beneficiaries receive support according to the rules you established, ensuring funds are used for their intended purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a will if I already have a trust?
Yes. A trust only controls the assets placed in it. A will covers everything else you own, names guardians for young children and gives instructions for your estate. The two work best together.
Does my insurance payout go through probate?
If you nominate a beneficiary or a trust on your policy, the benefit is normally paid directly and does not wait for the succession process. If no one is nominated, the payout becomes part of your estate and can be delayed until the court process is complete.
Can I change the trust once it is set up?
It depends on how the trust deed is written. Some trusts allow the person who set them up to amend terms or add beneficiaries; others cannot be changed once created. We help you decide how much flexibility to build in from the start.
Who should I appoint as a trustee?
Choose people or a professional trustee you trust to act fairly, who understand money and will be available for the long term. Many families combine a trusted relative with a professional trustee, so there is both personal knowledge and continuity.
How quickly can beneficiaries access funds from a trust?
Because trust assets are not part of your estate, trustees can usually start supporting beneficiaries soon after a death, according to the trust deed, without waiting for succession proceedings that can take months or years.
Can a trust hold my business?
A Family Trust can hold shares in a company, property and investments, which helps a business pass smoothly to the next generation. A Cash Management Trust is designed for cash and expected proceeds such as insurance and pension benefits rather than businesses or property.
Is estate planning only relevant when someone dies?
No. A good estate plan also protects your family if you become ill or unable to manage your affairs, keeps a family business running, and lets you set clear rules now for how assets support your children's education and upkeep.
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