SMSF Update | November 2024
This session provides a comprehensive overview of key updates from the superannuation sector over the past six months, along with practical strategies to effectively support your clients. […]
Acis, current as of: 4 February 2016.
Trustees have been put on notice as a result of a recent West Australian case (Mercanti v Mercanti) which highlighted the need to carefully read a deed when a trustee proposes to amend it. Whilst the outcomes in this particular case invalidated a trust amendment, there is a broader message in terms of ensuring we are familiar with all the terms of trust deeds.
What the Mercanti case illustrates is that, whilst a deed may contain a power of amendment, the scope of the power may not be broad enough to authorise the trustee to take its proposed course. It really is a case of reading the provisions carefully to ensure the amendment can validly be made and to avoid potentially disastrous consequences.
In essence, this case involved the amendment of two discretionary trusts to replace an existing Appointor/Guardian. Of course, the Appointor/Guardian objected and the outcome was:
The decision reinforced an earlier Queensland case (Jenkins v Ellet) where it was found that the amendment power was not broad enough to permit a variation to the schedule in the deed and, accordingly, the change of principal of the trust was ruled invalid.
Amending a trust deed can be a difficult and highly technical process, and extends to the exercise of any other power in a trust deed (e.g. the appointment of a new trustee). It is easy to imagine the adverse impact of getting it wrong on the trust, trustee, beneficiaries and third parties involved with the trust.
Compounding the problem is the potential for the invalidity to be discovered only after many years.
For example:
As with any trusts and other business structures, the process of making changes is usually dictated by the provisions of the trust deed or other constituent documents. A failure to observe the formalities of those processes can be disastrous.
Four tips to consider if you’re planning amendments:
If you are considering making adjustments to your trust deeds and need some clarification, call the Acis team on 1800 773 477.
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