N. E. Renton & Rod Caldwell 
Family Trusts 
A Plain English Guide for Australian Families

Demystify family trust planning with this easy-to-read guide

Family trusts can be quite complex and difficult to set up
correctly, and many people don’t realise just how beneficial a
trust can be. Even for families of average income, trusts deserve a
second look. Family Trusts: A Plain English Guide for Australian
Families of Average Means, 5th Edition is a
comprehensive guide to the advantages and disadvantages, investment
nuances, taxation regulations, and social security rules
surrounding trusts. This book, by author Nick Renton, and newly
updated by Rod Caldwell, provides the information you need to make
an informed decision and ask the right questions of your financial
and legal advisors.

The book details all aspects of both setting up and running a
family trust, including discretionary versus unitised trusts, trust
deeds, and the roles and responsibilities of settlors and trustees.
You’ll learn how trusts can be used to benefit philanthropic
foundations, and how to manage a trust intended for the financial
care of a child with an intellectual disability. This Fifth Edition
has been fully updated for the 2014 – 2015 tax year, and
amended to parallel the May 2014 budget. The new material details
topics like:

* Rates and trustee qualifications

* Hybrid trusts and non-resident beneficiaries

* Borrowing by trustees, and trustee meeting minutes

* Protecting assets against creditors, bankruptcy, and
divorce

The book also includes real-life case studies that provide
examples of proper handling and help illustrate important concepts.
Additionally, alternatives are discussed for situations where a
family trust may not be the best structure to use. If you’re an
average person wishing to ensure your family’s financial
well-being, Family Trusts: A Plain English Guide for Australian
Families of Average means, 5th Edition is the most
complete guide on the market.

Table of Content

About the authors v

Preface ix

1 The concept of a trust 1

2 Modern family trusts — advantages and disadvantages 11

3 Types of family trusts 35

4 The trustee 45

5 Administrative aspects of a trust 71

6 Income tax 99

7 Capital gains tax 119

8 Taxation of family trusts 135

9 Social security 163

10 Investment decisions 181

11 Other types of trusts 187

12 Other issues to consider 211

Appendix A: Wills and trusts compared and contrasted 241

Appendix B: Differences between trust deeds and powers of attorney 243

Appendix C: Tax rates 2014-15 245

Glossary 249

Index 277

About the author

NICK RENTON was a consulting actuary and writer, well
known for his professional guides on meetings procedure and
voluntary associations, and for his many books and articles on
investment, business, taxation and retirement issues. Nick passed
away in August 2010.

ROD CALDWELL worked as a tax accountant for the
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for 20 years before becoming a
tertiary level lecturer in taxation and management accounting. Rod
has written four other books on Australian business accounting and
tax law. Visit his website at www.tpabusiness.com.au