When it comes to your wealth, protecting your interests and the interests of your family, now and in future, is a primary concern. However, this is not easy to achieve in an international context, with asset and family members in multiple jurisdictions, and with a host of constantly changing laws and regulatory requirements.  

Specialist advice is therefore essential to optimise your wealth. Our fiduciary experts understand all the relevant rules and regulations that apply in South Africa as well as in certain other jurisdictions (and can access additional expertise internationally where applicable). They can give you expert advice on the impact of these regulations on your wealth, based on a thorough understanding of your needs and circumstances. 

Our fiduciary advisory services 

• Estate and tax planning
• Wealth structuring advice
• Legislative and regulatory updates

Structure your assets optimally during your lifetime and after your death

We will help you:

• Ensure an efficient distribution of assets to your beneficiaries in terms of your wishes
• Provide for and protect any minor beneficiaries and dependants
• Manage the liquidity needs of your estate
• Manage and plan for costs and tax on your estate
• Cater for your unique circumstances
• Provide flexibility for future changes

How we structure your assets to meet your needs

• Asset restructuring: We use domestic and international structures.
• Tax planning: We understand and apply our legislative expertise to help you plan for various taxes relevant to estate planning, such as donations tax, capital gains tax and estate duty.
• Buying and selling assets: We help you buy and sell assets in the name of an individual, trust or company.
• Appropriate succession planning: We help you define to whom, when and how you wish to transfer your assets and interests.

How we optimise the efficiency of your business after your death

Review current structures 
Our comprehensive review will consider your existing will, trust and other wealth structures (such as any current investment(s) or property holding company(ies). 

Analyse your needs and circumstances
With your help, we will understand your family dynamics and requirements and perform comparative calculations to assess:

• Estate duty
• Liquidity
• Executor costs

Make appropriate recommendations about a range of estate planning tools and techniques

We offer technical expertise and practical experience about the use of:

• Wills – see ‘Wealth structuring’ below
• Trusts
• Investment products such as retirement annuities
• Loans/donationsAsset restructuring (using companies and trust structures to house wealth efficiently)

Trusts give your wealth a solid foundation

You should decide on an optimal structure within which to house your wealth as early as possible to ensure that:

• You minimise the impact of costs such as estate duty on the capital appreciation of your wealth
• You have the optimal structures, both in South Africa and internationally, to cater for life’s unexpected events and to protect your family’s future

Many investors focus on selecting the best investment options to meet their needs, but we believe it is also essential to have the right wealth management structures in place, both for during and after your lifetime.  

Housing your wealth in appropriate structures will:
1.     Protect your wealth
2.     Secure your legacy
3.     Create a firm foundation for future generations

We provide advice on both South African and international trust structures
We provide you with in-depth expertise, tools, and the administrative support to establish, implement and manage your estate and succession plans. We analyse your current South African and international structures before we provide advice about transferring ownership and control to alternatives such as trusts and companies.

What we consider when we advise you about trusts

We ask the following questions to provide you with objective advice about South African and international trust structures:

• What are your specific needs?
• Is the existing or proposed structure optimal from a tax point of view and compliant with all legislation?
• What legislative changes may be on the horizon that may affect your plans?
• Will the benefits be worth the cost of change?
• How can we manage costs, including but not limited to any associated taxes?
• What is the best way to transfer assets to the structure (by sale, loan or donation)?
• Should you consider our corporate trustee services?

Have certainty that your wishes will be carried out

It’s important to have peace of mind that, on your death, the right people will benefit from your wealth in the way you intend. A valid and up-to-date will can help ensure that your wishes are carried out. In addition, our fiduciary experts can make sure that this is done in the most tax-efficient way possible and with minimal administrative hassle for your loved ones.

What we consider when we set up your will

We will discuss matters that may materially affect the structure of your will with you. This will give us a thorough understanding of your unique circumstances and enable us to meet your needs to:

• Limit the impact of your death on your loved ones from a continuity point of viewEnsure that your loved ones are taken care of financially from the date of your death
• Avoid the pitfalls of a poorly structured will
• Ensure that your will complies with legislative requirements
• Ensure that the ultimate distribution of your estate will be equitable, practical and timeous
• Rule out any potential conflict of interests
• Update your will when your circumstances change, for example when you get married, have a child or get divorced
• Give you guidance on a living will, if you require one

We provide advice on all aspects relating to your will

Do you need separate wills for assets in different countries? 
Estate administration formalities differ from country to country, which means there may be a need for a separate will dealing with assets in a specific country.

Are there any maintenance commitments that must be considered?
These could lead to substantial claims against your estate if the commitments are not adequately provided for.

Do you have any business interests?
Provision should be made for the disposal of your interests as a going concern.

Do you want to leave awards to minor beneficiaries?
Although there are legal restrictions to minors inheriting directly from an estate, the interests of minors can be protected in a well-drafted will.

Do you have minor children for whom you need to specify guardianship?
Plan for and nominate guardians to care for your minor children if you and your spouse die at the same time.

Do you need to create a testamentary trust in your will? 
A testamentary trust is especially suited to protect the interests of minors and other dependants who are not able to look after their own financial affairs. It is established in terms of your will and comes into existence after your death. You can appoint trustees to administer the trust assets for the benefit of the persons you nominate as beneficiaries.

We help you understand how regulatory updates may affect your wealth

Our fiduciary experts are passionate about staying abreast of regulatory changes. We proactively keep our clients updated on news and updates and how these may affect you so that you can continue to make the most of your wealth.