Trust Deeds, Reviews, and Amendments
Every trust runs on its deed. If yours is old, broken, or doesn't match how the trust actually operates, you're running a risk. We fix that.
- New family, unit, and discretionary trust deeds
- Deed amendments for changed circumstances
- 3-year compliance reviews
What's included
- Full deed review and written advice
- Deed of variation where amendments are within power
- New deed of settlement where a fresh trust is needed
- Vesting date extensions
- Appointor succession clauses
- Trustee power updates
An old deed is a ticking risk
Trust deeds drafted 15 or 20 years ago often lack the flexibility families need today. The trustee's powers might be too narrow, the appointor succession might be missing, the variation power might not cover the changes you want to make. By the time you need flexibility, you're stuck working around a deed that didn't anticipate your situation.
- Vesting dates approaching can force forced distributions
- Limited trustee powers hamper tax planning
- Missing appointor succession creates control risks
- Outdated variation powers prevent updates you need
A clear process, not a legal maze.
Review the existing deed
Send us the current deed. Sam reads it and summarises what it does well, what's missing, and what's at risk.
Recommend changes
We write you a short advice letter: amendments needed, new deed if required, or a clean bill of health if the deed is fine.
Draft and execute
If changes are needed, Sam drafts the deed of variation or new trust deed. We execute properly, stamp if required, and update your records.
Here's what you get when you work with Sam.
Sam walked us through our wills and testamentary trusts without any of the legal jargon I'd expected. We left the meeting feeling like we finally understood what we were signing.
Frequently asked questions
A trust deed is the document that creates a trust. It sets out who the trustee is, who the beneficiaries are, what the trust's purposes are, and what powers the trustee has. Every trust runs on its deed - it's the operating manual.
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Learn moreIs your trust deed doing what you need?
Send us the deed for a review. Sam reads it carefully and writes you a short advice letter - no obligation, no pressure.
- Free 20-minute initial conversation
- Fixed-fee quotes before any work begins
- Home visits available across Adelaide
- Typically 2-3 weeks to signed documents