Estate planning benefits can make a low-balance SMSF worthwhile

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As estate planning and SMSF specialists, would we advise a client to set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) in order to achieve a better estate planning outcome? Even if

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Changes to succession laws in Queensland to affect blended families

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Walt Disney did stepmothers no favours when he created “Maleficent”, the wicked stepmother in “Snow White”. Thanks to her it is now a given that stepmothers are out to do

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Interesting change of SMSF trustee case

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A court has upheld an informal removal and appointment of SMSF trustees. The background is about the control of a death benefit of a father. The legal issue was whether

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SMSFs and crowdfunding: a match made in heaven or hell?

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Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF) will shortly be able to invest in potentially high-growth unlisted companies, as a new era of crowd-sourced equity funding begins. The Federal Government’s Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced

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Townsends Law response to the Opposition’s comments on discretionary trusts

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To say businesses or families are using family trusts in order to evade tax is absolute nonsense. Overwhelmingly, they use trusts for two main reasons, firstly, for legitimate asset protection.

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Can a video will be admitted to probate?

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Donna is a widow and is 85 years old. Due to her deteriorating health, she is unable to attend her solicitor’s office to make a formal Will. So she decides

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What can be done when an SMSF trust deed contains a mistake or typo?

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We often get asked by our clients, what can be done when their SMSF Trust Deed contains a mistake or typo. Formalities are necessary and a deed of rectification may

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A gift with a catch

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You’ve inherited a property, but is the inherited property liable to repay the remaining mortgage debt? Your debts don’t die with you. They survive you and have to be paid

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Changes to requirements on trust property transfers

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Fred and Wilma are the trustees of the Flintstone Unit Trust which own a commercial premises in NSW and supplies building materials to its clients.  Fred and Wilma decide to

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Making a $540,000 non-concessional contribution without any money

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On 1 July 2017 the maximum amount a member can contribute to their super fund each year non-concessionally (i.e. no tax deduction) will decrease from $180,000 to $100,000. Currently, a

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