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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
Murray Shume
Special Counsel
Keeghan Silcock
Senior Associate

Publications

It Depends - Is my company a special purpose super trustee company?

In this edition of It depends, partner Scott Hay-Bartlem talks about whether your company is a special purpose superannuation trustee company.

CGW Recognised Amongst Best Law Firms in Australia – 2025 Edition

Cooper Grace Ward has secured top regional rankings in an impressive 20 practice areas in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers Best Law Firms for 2025.

Podcast: TaxLand with Fletch and Sarah – 2024 tax time – getting your trust resolutions right before 30 June

In this episode of TaxLand with Fletch and Sarah, we welcome our very first special guest, Linda Tapiolas, who will join us on a journey through the issues you need to consider to get your trust resolutions right.