Search
Close this search box.
(07) 3231 2444
Search
Close this search box.

Trusts

Strategic advice on trust law and trust arrangements

Having access to the best quality advice on trust law and trust arrangements from a commercial lawyer can give your business a competitive advantage.

It can also help you to achieve your financial goals sooner.

In this complex area of the law, our lawyers specialising in trusts provide straightforward, commercial advice. We take into account each client’s unique circumstances and tailor our advice to their particular needs.

Estate planning and asset protection

Trusts are a vital tool to assist with estate planning and asset protection. Our team of Brisbane based lawyers are experienced in assessing our clients’ needs and setting up structures to suit their objectives.

One of the main reasons we set up trusts is to allow for tax effective estate planning. Other common reasons are to provide ongoing support for a beneficiary under your Will or to benefit a charity.

As specialists in the area of trust law, we can help you:

  • identify the type of trust that would best suit your circumstances
  • prepare documentation and agreements
  • provide tax advice
  • assist with training for both clients and their advisers.

While there are several kinds of trusts available, it is a matter of aligning your objectives with the right one.

Our experienced team of commercial lawyers specialise in trust, legal and taxation matters. They can identify the type of trust that will best suit your objectives and your unique circumstances.

Service trust arrangements

Service trust arrangements need to be carefully reviewed to ensure compliance with ATO guidelines. Most often, a service trust is used to hold certain assets, which are provided to a separate operating entity for a fee.

The first of two main reasons for establishing a service trust is income splitting. This is because the stakeholders in the service trust being paid for the services can be different from the stakeholders in the entity receiving the services.

The second reason to establish a service trust is asset protection. Service trust arrangements allow assets to be efficiently quarantined outside a business entity. This can safeguard those assets from litigation or other liability claims against that business entity.

In the area of service trusts, we can help you:

  • prepare documents
  • review existing arrangements
  • review basis of calculating changes
  • assess restructuring options.

For legal advice on trusts for you or your clients, contact Cooper Grace Ward on (07) 3231 2444.

 

Key contacts

Scott Hay-Bartlem
Partner
Fletch Heinemann
Partner
Clinton Jackson
Partner
Linda Tapiolas
Partner
Greg Cahill
Consultant
Steven Jell
Special Counsel
Murray Shume
Special Counsel
Keeghan Silcock
Senior Associate
Sarah Camm
Associate
Sacha Robinson
Associate

Publications

It Depends - What's the difference between unit trusts and fixed trusts?

In this edition of 'It depends', lawyer Steven Cawood talks about the difference between unit trusts and fixed trusts, when you might need a fixed unit trust and when you can amend a trust to make it a fixed trust.

It Depends - The many uses of trust cloning

In this edition of 'It depends', senior associate Keeghan Silcock talks about trust cloning and how it can be used.

It Depends - When should I update my discretionary trust deed?

In this edition of 'It depends', associate Sacha Robinson talks about when you should update your discretionary trust deed.