Express Trusts: Types Flashcards
what are the types?
fixed interest trusts and discretionary trusts
the trust can be a combination of these
give an example of a combination trust
‘i.e. I give my shares in ASDA for my wife, remainder to children that survive my wife (fixed trust: successive & contingent interest) as my trustees see fit (discretionary’)
what is capital?
underlying value of TP i.e. market value / balance in an account
what is income?
money (or equivalent) received on a regular basis from the TP i.e. rental income, dividends, interest paid, living in a property rent free
what is an absolute interest?
interest in capital and income
what is a limited interest?
interest in income only
what is a fixed interest trust?
- i.e. S has determined B’s entitlement/interest.
- B’s will either have a vested; contingent; or successive interest
- Ts must distribute the TP in accordance with the trust.
re: fixed interest trust
what type of interest can Bs have?
- B’s will either have a vested; contingent; or successive interest
re: fixed interest trust
what must Ts do?
- Ts must distribute the TP in accordance with the trust.
re: fixed interest trust
what is a vested interest?
- B has an absolute entitlement and is unconditional i.e. if B is over 18, they can demand the TP at any time.
re: fixed interest trust
is a vested interest limited or absolute?
- Unless the trust states otherwise, B’s interest will be absolute
re: fixed interest trust
what happens if B has a vested interest and they die before they receive the property?
- If B dies before they receive the TP, it will form part of their estate
re: fixed interest trust
when does a bare trust arise?
where B(s) has a has a vested interest and is absolutely entitled or where where B had a contingent or remainder interest which has now become vested
B can be an adult or a minor.
re: fixed interest trust
what must a bare trust state if B is an adult?
- If B is an adult, T must deal with the TP as B dictates
re: fixed interest trust (bare trust)
what happens if B is a minor?
- If B is a minor, T will have active duties until B is aged 18
re: fixed interest trust
when are bare trusts common?
- BTs are common for stockbrokers and trusts for children
re: fixed interest trust (bare trusts)
why are bare trusts common with children?
it allows the child to benefit from the trust when they turn 18, but separates the money from S’s assets which can be important for IHT purposes
re: fixed interest trust (bare trusts)
why are bare trusts common for stock brokers?
because the stock broker would be the bare trustee. As they are the legal owner, they can deal the stocks.
However, the client is the beneficial owner so any profit is payable to them and they can instruct the stock broker as to how to use it
re: fixed interest trust
explain contingent interests
- B’s interest is conditional upon them satisfying something or B is not born yet
- Once the contingency is satisfied, B’s interest becomes a vested interest
re: fixed interest trust (contingent interests)
what happens once the contingency is satisfied?
Once the contingency is satisfied, B’s interest becomes a vested interest
Once it becomes vested, the TP will form part of B’s estate if they die
re: fixed interest trust (contingent interests)
what happens if B does not satisfy the contingency?
If B does not satisfy a contingency (i.e. they die), their interest will revert to S on resulting trust (RT) unless:
o S has provided for it go to someone else*; or
o S has died, then it will transfer under the will or intestacy rules (IR)
re: fixed interest trust (contingent interests)
explain ‘…S has provided for it go to someone else…’
This will depend on the terms of trust, i.e.:
o ‘…hold £300k on trust for such of my children who reach the age of 18’ the trust will only be distributed to those who have satisfied the contingency.
o ‘…hold £300k on trust for Amy and Sam who reach the age of 18’ if one child doesn’t meet the contingency, then their interest would transfer on RT to S or under the will/IR if they have died.
re: fixed interest trust (contingent interests)
will Bs interest be limited or absolute?
- Unless the trust states otherwise, B’s interest will be absolute
re: fixed interest trust
explain successive interests
- Where interests succeed each other on the occurrence of specified events
- There will be a ‘life tenant’ (LT) and ‘remainderman’ (R)
re: fixed interest trust (successive interests)
what does the life tenant receive and what interest do they have?
i.e. they will receive income generated from TP or live in a property during their lifetime or other expiry date specified in the trust
This is a vested limited interest which is in possession (i.e. she can enjoy the trust income now)
re: fixed interest trust (successive interests)
what interest does the remainder man have?
- R will either have a vested interest or a contingent interest (below)
re: successive interests
what is the name of a trust with this type of interest?
- Trusts that create this interest are called life interest trusts or interest in possession trusts
re: successive interests
what is the benefit of a life interest trust?
- The benefit of this type of interest is it allows someone to enjoy the trust without giving them outright ownership of the TP
re: life interest trusts
when will R have a vested interest?
explain this
- If R does not have to satisfy any conditions, they will have a vested interest in the trust capital from the creation of the trust
- This is postponed until the LT’s death/right to enjoyment expires
- If R dies before the LT, R’s interest will form part of their estate
re: life interest trusts
when will R have a contingent interest?
explain this
- If R has to satisfy any conditions, they will have a contingent interest
- This will become a vested interest once the conditions are satisfied
- i.e. ‘I give my shares in ASDA to hold on trust for my wife, remainder to my son Adam should he survive my wife and reach 25 years old’
o Two conditions i) reach 25 years old ii) survive his wife.
re: life interest trusts
if R has a contingent interest and this is not satisfied, what happens?
- If the condition(s) aren’t satisfied, their interest will fail and will revert back to S on resulting trust
what is a discretionary trust?
i.e. Ts have discretion to distribute the TP as they see fit
o Bs are called ‘objects’ until chosen by T
re: discretionary trusts
what are Bs called?
o Bs are called ‘objects’ until chosen by T
re: discretionary trusts
how do these operate?
an object will only become a B once selected by T, then their interest (usually) becomes vested
re: discretionary trusts
what rights do objects have?
- Objects have no right to the TP, only a right to be considered by T
- They have no beneficial entitlement until chosen by T
- Once selected by T, their interest will usually become vested