Ƶ

Life Trust Deed Template for Australia

A Life Trust Deed is a formal legal document used in Australian jurisdictions to establish a trust structure that operates during the lifetime of the settlor and potentially beyond. It creates a comprehensive framework for managing assets, defining the rights and obligations of trustees, and protecting the interests of beneficiaries. The document complies with Australian trust law principles and taxation requirements, incorporating provisions for asset protection, succession planning, and wealth preservation. It establishes the trust's governance structure, distribution mechanisms, and administrative procedures while ensuring compliance with relevant state and federal legislation.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Get template free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your docs

4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

What is a Life Trust Deed?

A Life Trust Deed is essential for individuals and families seeking to establish a formal trust structure in Australia for asset protection, tax planning, and wealth preservation purposes. This document is commonly used when there's a need to create a flexible, long-term arrangement for managing assets during the settlor's lifetime and beyond. The deed must comply with Australian trust law principles, including state-specific Trustee Acts and federal tax legislation. It typically includes detailed provisions for trust administration, beneficiary rights, trustee powers, and distribution mechanisms. The Life Trust Deed is particularly valuable for estate planning, family business succession, and protecting assets for future generations, while potentially offering tax advantages within the Australian regulatory framework.

What sections should be included in a Life Trust Deed?

1. Parties: Identifies the Settlor, Trustee(s), and Principal Beneficiaries

2. Background: Sets out the context and intention to establish the trust

3. Definitions and Interpretation: Defines key terms and interpretation principles used throughout the deed

4. Declaration of Trust: Formally establishes the trust and states the settlement sum

5. Trust Name: Specifies the name under which the trust will operate

6. Trust Period: Defines the duration of the trust within perpetuity period requirements

7. Beneficiaries: Defines and lists the primary, general, and default beneficiaries

8. Trustee Powers: Comprehensive list of powers granted to trustees in managing trust assets

9. Investment Powers: Specific powers related to investment of trust assets

10. Income and Capital Distribution: Rules governing the distribution of trust income and capital

11. Trustee Provisions: Appointment, retirement, and removal of trustees

12. Administration Provisions: General administrative powers and procedures

13. Variation of Trust: Circumstances and procedures for varying trust terms

14. Governing Law: Specifies the governing law and jurisdiction

15. Execution: Formal execution provisions and attestation

What sections are optional to include in a Life Trust Deed?

1. Business Operation Provisions: Include when trust will operate a business - covers specific business management powers

2. Foreign Income Provisions: Include when trust expects to receive foreign income or hold foreign assets

3. Special Disability Provisions: Include when providing for beneficiaries with special needs or disabilities

4. Child Maintenance Provisions: Include when minor beneficiaries are involved

5. Charitable Purposes: Include when trust has charitable giving objectives

6. Corporate Trustee Provisions: Include when trustee is or may be a company

7. Asset Protection Provisions: Include for enhanced creditor protection measures

8. Early Termination: Include when flexibility to terminate trust early is desired

9. Family Law Protection: Include for additional protection in family law proceedings

What schedules should be included in a Life Trust Deed?

1. Schedule 1 - Initial Trust Property: Details of settlement sum and initial trust assets

2. Schedule 2 - Beneficiaries: Comprehensive list of named beneficiaries and their details

3. Schedule 3 - Trustee Powers: Detailed listing of specific trustee powers and limitations

4. Schedule 4 - Investment Powers: Detailed listing of authorized investment types and criteria

5. Schedule 5 - Trustee Remuneration: Details of trustee compensation and expense reimbursement

6. Appendix A - Execution Requirements: Formal requirements for deed execution and witnessing

7. Appendix B - Variation Procedures: Detailed procedures for varying trust terms

8. Appendix C - Compliance Checklist: Checklist of ongoing compliance requirements

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents

Jurisdiction

Australia

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Trust Deed

Sector

Cost

Free to use

Find the exact document you need

Supplemental Trust Deed For Appointment Of Trustee

An Australian legal document that formalizes the appointment of a new trustee and retirement of an existing trustee, ensuring proper transition of trust responsibilities and assets.

Download

Purchase Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a trust structure for purchasing and holding property or assets, combining trust and property law elements under Australian jurisdiction.

Download

Private Discretionary Trust Deed

An Australian legal document establishing a discretionary trust structure for flexible asset management and distribution, governed by federal and state trust laws.

Download

Discretionary Family Trust Deed

An Australian legal instrument establishing a discretionary family trust, defining trustee powers and beneficiary rights for effective family asset management and distribution.

Download

Deed Of Appointment Discretionary Trust

An Australian legal document facilitating the appointment of new trustees to a discretionary trust, including transfer of powers and responsibilities under Australian law.

Download

Voluntary Trust Deed

An Australian law-governed deed establishing a voluntary trust arrangement, defining trustee powers, beneficiary rights, and trust management rules.

Download

Trust Deed Fund

An Australian law-governed deed establishing and regulating a trust fund structure, defining relationships between trustees, beneficiaries, and operational framework.

Download

Registered Trust Deed

An Australian legal document that establishes and governs a trust arrangement, setting out trustee powers, beneficiary rights, and administrative provisions, requiring official registration.

Download

Pension Scheme Trust Deed

An Australian law-governed trust deed establishing and regulating a superannuation fund, setting out operational terms and compliance requirements.

Download

Employee Ownership Trust Deed

An Australian law-governed trust deed establishing an Employee Ownership Trust to hold and manage company shares for employee beneficiaries.

Download

Definitive Trust Deed

An Australian law-governed document that establishes a trust and defines its terms, structure, and operational framework.

Download

Deed Of Interest

An Australian law-governed deed that creates or transfers legal or equitable interests in property or assets, meeting formal requirements under Australian property and contract law.

Download

Deed Of Amendment And Restatement

An Australian law deed that amends an existing agreement and restates it in full, incorporating all changes into a single consolidated document.

Download

Deed Amendment

An Australian legal instrument that formally modifies an existing deed while maintaining compliance with state-specific deed requirements and formalities.

Download

Trust Deed Amendment

An Australian legal document that modifies an existing trust deed's terms and conditions, subject to Australian trust and tax law requirements.

Download

Bare Trust Deed

An Australian legal document establishing a bare trust arrangement where a trustee holds property for a beneficiary with minimal active duties.

Download

Protected Trust Deed

An Australian legal document establishing a protected trust arrangement for asset management and debt restructuring, compliant with Australian trust and insolvency laws.

Download

Deed Of Appointment Trust

An Australian legal instrument that formally appoints new trustees to an existing trust and documents the transfer of trust responsibilities and assets.

Download

Promissory Deed

An Australian law-governed deed that creates a legally binding promise between parties, typically used for financial or performance obligations with enhanced enforceability.

Download

Trust Deed Variation

An Australian legal document that modifies an existing trust deed's terms while ensuring compliance with federal and state trust laws.

Download

Declaration Of Bare Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a bare trust arrangement where a trustee holds assets solely for a beneficiary's benefit, subject to federal and state trust laws.

Download

Quick Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a simplified trust arrangement, setting out essential terms for trustees, beneficiaries, and trust property management.

Download

Deed Of Vesting Of Trust

An Australian legal document that formally terminates a trust and governs the distribution of trust assets to beneficiaries, ensuring compliance with Australian trust and tax laws.

Download

Deed Of Confirmation Of Trust

An Australian legal document that formally confirms and evidences existing trust arrangements, including terms, assets, and parties involved in the trust structure.

Download

Simple Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a trust arrangement, defining the relationship between trustees and beneficiaries, and setting out the terms for managing trust assets.

Download

Public Trustee's Deed

An Australian legal instrument establishing the Public Trustee's authority and responsibilities in managing assets, estates, or financial affairs under state jurisdiction.

Download

Trust Deed Variation To Exclude Foreign Beneficiaries

An Australian law trust deed variation document that modifies an existing trust to exclude foreign beneficiaries, ensuring compliance with foreign investment regulations.

Download

Pocket Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal instrument establishing a condensed trust arrangement, defining trustee powers, beneficiary rights, and trust administration requirements.

Download

Deed Of Advancement Terminating Trust

An Australian legal document that formally terminates a trust arrangement and governs the distribution of trust assets to beneficiaries.

Download

Seller Financed Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a seller-financed property purchase arrangement where the property is held in trust as security until full payment is made.

Download

Personal Injury Trust Deed

An Australian legal document establishing a trust to manage and protect personal injury compensation funds, ensuring appropriate administration and beneficiary care.

Download

Junior Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a simplified trust structure for managing assets and distributions, suitable for smaller-scale trust arrangements.

Download

Supplemental Deed

An Australian law-governed formal document that modifies or adds to an existing deed's terms while maintaining its formal deed status.

Download

Community Trust Deed

An Australian legal document establishing a trust structure for community benefit purposes, defining trustee duties, governance, and distribution rules.

Download

Business Trust Deed

An Australian legal document establishing a business trust structure, defining trustee powers, beneficiary rights, and operational framework under Australian law.

Download

Revocable Deed

An Australian law-governed Revocable Deed providing formal deed benefits with built-in revocation flexibility.

Download

Simple Declaration Of Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a trust arrangement, detailing how trustees hold and manage assets for beneficiaries under Australian law.

Download

Supplemental Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal document used to amend or modify an existing trust deed, subject to Australian federal and state trust laws.

Download

Subordinate Deed Of Trust

An Australian legal document establishing a secondary trust structure under a master trust, defining its governance, assets, and beneficiary arrangements.

Download

Replacement Trust Deed

An Australian law-governed deed that replaces and updates an existing trust deed while maintaining the trust's fundamental structure and ensuring modern compliance.

Download
See more related templates

ұԾ’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it