Asset & Property Protection involves putting in place arrangements to protect your Property, assets and Money (i.e. “Estate Planning “) both before and after death ; so much of what a person does while they are alive has a major effect on what happens after they pass away in any case ;
Arrangements to be made during your Lifetime
“The Part A Agenda” that may need thought and planning
1. If some one were to start a Family Law/De Facto type claim or other legal claim/court action against you or any member of your family how safe would your property be?
2. Has all your property/money and sources of income been organized in such a way so as to lawfully reduce your tax ?
3. Are all your records , financial or otherwise complete and in good order ?
4. Who would manage your Financial and /or personal affairs while you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated ?
5. *5 Is there an Urgent actual or potential problem connected to the above that needs dealing with NOW ? (divorce, second marriage ,serious illness, possible bankruptcy/insolvency, serious business problems ?)
Strategies to cover the above might include;
(1) listing or “mapping out” your assets/property and money
(2) Listing any potential risks
(3) Considering the possible use of Pre/Post Natal (Marriage) Agreements, Trusts, Severance of Joint Tenancy to Tenancy in Common for property jointly owned by Partners/Spouses
(4) Giving documented loans to Partners/relatives , sons and daughters (mortgages, caveats and/or charges in writing)
(5)Reviewing insurances to see they are adequate ,
(6) Considering additional mortgages on your own property
(7) Having proper valid Enduring Powers of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship documents done to take care of incapacity
(8) Having Effective Buy/Sell/Business Succession agreements and
(9) Regularly reviewing all strategies and the above at least every 12 months (possibly more regularly for some individuals)
5.5* Urgent / Actual Potential Problems ; - a strategy needs to be put together asap by you, Your Accountant , Financial Planner , Lawyer/Insolvency/Bankruptcy expert – a series of fall back plans or “Plan B’s” to protect you , property and your Money (& talk to your Priest or Immam? Too! – have “faith” – what is your plan to survive and bounce back ?)
PART B – Arrangements to be made if you pass away or die (or for this eventuality…)
In addition to the above ; “The Part B Agenda” that may need thought and planning
1. Do you have a Will ? Do you know where it is ? Is it up to date ?
2. Will your Will protect your Spouse/Partner, Children/Relatives or Beneficiaries from Family law/de facto type legal claims or other types of legal claims or court action ?
3. Will your Will help your Spouse, Partner, Children or beneficiaries lawfully reduce tax liabilities?
4. Does your Will adequately protect your Spouse,Partner,children or beneficiaries if they are or become incapacitated, ill ,disabled or simply from becoming spendthrifts ?
5. Will your Will properly deal with property in other structures like Trusts ,Companies ,
Superannuation ,outside your home country?
6. Is your Will fair and equitable and will it reduce the chance of disputes and care for relatives adequately ?
7. Do you have adequate Life Insurances/Life cover?
Strategies (in addition to the above) to cover the above might include :
(1) Wills with arrangements for Trusts or other structures after death ,
(2) Deeds included within existing Trust Deeds to fix the allocation of property/income and succession
(3) Regular reviewed Binding death Benefits for Superannuation
(4) Buy/Sell Agreements/Business Succession Agreements – a “Will for your business/Company”
Why your Will should contain provision for Testamentary Trusts (Trusts created after death) or *other types of legal Structures after Death.
This is only a short summary of the advantages and benefits to your relatives /beneficiaries of creating Optional Trusts in your Will. (A Will Trust is often also referred to as a “Testamentary” Trust)
This summary should not be read, understood or relied on complete advice with respect to Trust, Tax, the law as it applies to Wills or the law generally. Detailed professional legal, accounting and tax advice is required for each individual set of circumstances.
If you have any questions or queries please make contact with us for a fuller explanation.