When Is a Trust Not a Trust?

When can the provisions of a trust deed be set aside?  When you don’t stick to the rules. Far too many people pay their accountant or attorney a visit, draw up a boilerplate trust deed, sign on the dotted line, and think that this piece of paper will take away all their tax and estate […]

What Does Being a Trustee of a Body Corporate Entail? (Part 1)

When all the trustees of a body corporate resign, the options available to the owners include the appointment of: If, for example, you have been nominated by an owner to stand for election as a trustee to continue managing the scheme, you may want more information before deciding whether to accept the nomination. This may […]

The formation of trusts inSouth Africa

A trust exists when the founder of the trust has handed over or is bound to hand over to another the control of property which, or the proceeds of which, is to be administered or disposed of by the other (trustee or administrator). Anyone who has the capacity to undertake contractual obligations or to make […]

Who qualifies for a special trust and how is it taxed?

Unlike “conventional trusts” that are taxed at a flat tax rate, a special trust is taxed on the same sliding scale applicable to natural persons. The Income Tax Act provides for two types of special trusts: a so-called type-A and type-B trust. In essence, a type-A trust is created for a person (or persons) having […]

Think twice before choosing an executor

The nomination of an executor is an important aspect of a Last Will and Testament. An executor is nominated in a Last Will and Testament and, upon death, he or she administers and distributes the estate in accordance with the testamentary wishes of the deceased. Importantly, although a person can nominate an executor, the executor is appointed by the Master of the High Court through the issuing of Letters of Executorship. The executor is responsible for, amongst other […]