A recent case (Mantovani v Vanta Pty Ltd (No 2) [2021] VSC 771) sheds light on the implications of lost trust deeds. Advisers who work with SMSFs (or family trusts or any form of trust established by deed) should be aware of its implications. In short, due to a lost deed, a family trust was [read more]
For many years there was debate in the SMSF industry as to whether an SMSF binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) could last indefinitely. A number of supreme court cases from several different Australian states have held that an SMSF BDBN can last indefinitely, so long as the deed is written to provide for this. Then, [read more]
Moss Super Pty Ltd v Hayne [2008] VSC 158 is an important lesson for trustees and advisers to always consider what the governing rules of an SMSF provide before attempting to make changes or exercise powers. Facts The Photography Management Services Pty Ltd Superannuation Fund (Fund) was established by deed dated 31 May 1995. The [read more]
Overview SMSF Wills have become a topical issue in recent times as some claim they have certain advantages over binding death benefit nominations (BDBNs). This article briefly examines SMSF Wills and compares them to BDBNs. In broad terms, it is DBA Lawyers’ view that SMSF Wills are subject to significant legal risk, and therefore, we [read more]
SMSFs can now have up to 6 members (prior to from 1 July 2021, a limit of 4 applied). We have since received considerable interest regarding many SMSFs wishing to add members. In particular, numerous parents wish to admit their children to their SMSFs. While SMSFs are considered family friendly, family members still have disputes, [read more]
This memo provides guidance on an SMSF rolling benefits to another SMSF both prior to and from 1 October 2021. The key change is the requirement to comply with the SuperStream rollover standards from 1 October 2021. The regulations that apply from 1 October 2021 were finalised as law with an original commencement date for [read more]
Discretionary trusts are an extremely popular structuring and investment vehicle in Australia. In FY2016, there were around 850,000 trusts in Australia with assets of more than $3 trillion with one report predicting there could be more than a million trusts by 2022. In most Australian jurisdictions a discretionary trust can last up to 80 years (and in [read more]
It is very common for an SMSF to be commenced by a deed of establishment. Then, when the governing rules need to be updated, this typically is done by way of a deed of variation. The deed of establishment, in conjunction with the deeds of variation including any change of trustee documents, are sometimes then [read more]
While the provision of documents from non-qualified suppliers may appear to be a simple and low-cost approach, there are numerous risks involved for advisers and end-users. Introduction Most SMSF deeds are now probably supplied via non-qualified suppliers, with minimal lawyer input (eg the deed template may have had some input by a lawyer). This is [read more]
DBA Lawyers latest SMSF governing rules and related documents includes many value-added features. This article briefly explains why our SMSF documents are the best available. Recent changes to DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules Our latest DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules (version 2021-22) comes with the following upgrades: expanded Trustee investment powers in respect of any [read more]
