How to make your wealth run in perpetuity
Many people are worried about what to do with their
accumulated wealth. There are several cases of wasteful dependents squandering
the wealth of their benefactors once they come into possession of their
inheritance. Because of this, a lot of people are worried about how their
wealth will be spent after their deaths; they know that after they make their
Wills and those same Wills are read after their demise, they cease to have
control over the way their money will be spent after their death.
However, there are ways for a person to retain control
of his estate/legacy even after death. Create a Dynasty Trust.
of his estate/legacy even after death. Create a Dynasty Trust.
What is a Dynasty Trust?
A Dynasty Trust is a long-term Trust that is created
by someone planning his/her estate specifically designed so that it can benefit
multiple generations of beneficiaries. This way, the wealth can practically run
in perpetuity. If and where created, the beneficiaries have no control over the
Trust property/investment; they are only entitled to shares of profits in line
with the instructions in the created Trust instrument.
by someone planning his/her estate specifically designed so that it can benefit
multiple generations of beneficiaries. This way, the wealth can practically run
in perpetuity. If and where created, the beneficiaries have no control over the
Trust property/investment; they are only entitled to shares of profits in line
with the instructions in the created Trust instrument.
Pertinent Facts to note about Estate Dynasty Trusts
1. Multiple generations of beneficiaries can benefit from
the proceeds of such a Trust as long as there are provisions about the line of
beneficiaries who will keep on inheriting.
the proceeds of such a Trust as long as there are provisions about the line of
beneficiaries who will keep on inheriting.
2. They can outlive even the original
beneficiaries/descendants of a testator and pass onto even third generation
descendants, depending on the instructions enclosed in the Trust instrument.
beneficiaries/descendants of a testator and pass onto even third generation
descendants, depending on the instructions enclosed in the Trust instrument.
3. Trust properties can be excluded from the reach of
creditors since such Trust wealth is not the particular property of a
debtor/beneficiary. Thus, once a Dynasty Trust is created, the wealth infused
into such Trust automatically spills out of the estate of the Trust creator and
becomes a separate entity on its own. In other words, he can benefit from the
Trust but he does not own the property/wealth from which he enjoys.
creditors since such Trust wealth is not the particular property of a
debtor/beneficiary. Thus, once a Dynasty Trust is created, the wealth infused
into such Trust automatically spills out of the estate of the Trust creator and
becomes a separate entity on its own. In other words, he can benefit from the
Trust but he does not own the property/wealth from which he enjoys.
4. Wealth can be protected from spendthrift beneficiaries
who may want to sell or mismanage the Trust property. After all, they can only
sell or mismanage something which is directly under their control.
Unfortunately, Dynasty Trust property is not under the control of any
beneficiary.
who may want to sell or mismanage the Trust property. After all, they can only
sell or mismanage something which is directly under their control.
Unfortunately, Dynasty Trust property is not under the control of any
beneficiary.
5. Dynasty Trusts can be funded with any assets which the
Trust owner has at his disposal as at the time of creating the Trust. However,
it is worthy to note that assets which can grow over time in value are the best
assets to be used for planning Dynasty Trusts. Eg: Landed property; up-growing
investments, etc.
Trust owner has at his disposal as at the time of creating the Trust. However,
it is worthy to note that assets which can grow over time in value are the best
assets to be used for planning Dynasty Trusts. Eg: Landed property; up-growing
investments, etc.
6. Since Estate Dynasty Trusts are multi-generational, it
is always better to get a corporate Trustee to manage the Trust on behalf of
the beneficiaries. The reason is simply because corporations, unlike humans,
have no expiry date. In other words, corporations exist in perpetuity and even
if the original persons who had received the Dynasty Trust deed on behalf of
the corporation dies, others will automatically take over and continue with the
administration of the Trust estate.
is always better to get a corporate Trustee to manage the Trust on behalf of
the beneficiaries. The reason is simply because corporations, unlike humans,
have no expiry date. In other words, corporations exist in perpetuity and even
if the original persons who had received the Dynasty Trust deed on behalf of
the corporation dies, others will automatically take over and continue with the
administration of the Trust estate.
Preservation of Family Wealth through Dynasty Trusts
If, when, and where such a Trust is created, it will
automatically serve to preserve the wealth which a person has accumulated in
his lifetime. To this effect, no particular child or beneficiary of the creator
of the Trust can lay hold of any property designated as part of the Dynasty
Trust as his own personal property. So, even if a beneficiary wants to sell,
use, or otherwise want to give out property which is the subject of an estate
Dynasty Trust, they can’t. The property will remain tied up for however long
the Trust creator wants it to be (this will be done subject to the laws against
perpetuity in the state of the Trust creator because no Trust can really run in
perpetuity; the Common Law rule against perpetuity). so, if a person wants to
preserve wealth for multiple generations, then Dynasty Trusts would be the
ideal answer to achieve this.
automatically serve to preserve the wealth which a person has accumulated in
his lifetime. To this effect, no particular child or beneficiary of the creator
of the Trust can lay hold of any property designated as part of the Dynasty
Trust as his own personal property. So, even if a beneficiary wants to sell,
use, or otherwise want to give out property which is the subject of an estate
Dynasty Trust, they can’t. The property will remain tied up for however long
the Trust creator wants it to be (this will be done subject to the laws against
perpetuity in the state of the Trust creator because no Trust can really run in
perpetuity; the Common Law rule against perpetuity). so, if a person wants to
preserve wealth for multiple generations, then Dynasty Trusts would be the
ideal answer to achieve this.
How Long Can An Estate Legacy Trust last?
Generally, such a Trust, if and where created in the
course of the estate planning by a person, cannot last forever. The reason is
because of the Common Law Rule against Perpetuity. Nothing created under the
Common (English) Law (for Common Law practitioners), can last forever. It must
have a specific duration, and this may be influenced by the applicable laws of
the jurisdiction where the Trust is being created.
course of the estate planning by a person, cannot last forever. The reason is
because of the Common Law Rule against Perpetuity. Nothing created under the
Common (English) Law (for Common Law practitioners), can last forever. It must
have a specific duration, and this may be influenced by the applicable laws of
the jurisdiction where the Trust is being created.
Generally, where this Trust is created, it will end
twenty years after the death of the last beneficiary of the original Trust. Or,
it can be any other term, the point being that the properties must become disposable
after the passage of a certain period of time. But, depending on jurisdiction
and relaxation of policies, a Trust can last for a period of up to three
hundred years after the death of the creator of the Trust instrument. Terms of
the Trust will be instrumental in making this so.
twenty years after the death of the last beneficiary of the original Trust. Or,
it can be any other term, the point being that the properties must become disposable
after the passage of a certain period of time. But, depending on jurisdiction
and relaxation of policies, a Trust can last for a period of up to three
hundred years after the death of the creator of the Trust instrument. Terms of
the Trust will be instrumental in making this so.
Should I consider such a Trust?
If you want to leave a legacy for your future
generations, not just properties, then the answer is yes. The reason is because
of its long-term applicability as against properties bequeathed to
beneficiaries in a Will instrument of which ownership passes to the
beneficiaries who can then use the properties in the way they deem fit.
generations, not just properties, then the answer is yes. The reason is because
of its long-term applicability as against properties bequeathed to
beneficiaries in a Will instrument of which ownership passes to the
beneficiaries who can then use the properties in the way they deem fit.
Who can create an Estate Dynasty Trust for me?
In order to get such a Trust, it is pertinent to hire
an estate attorney who has the legal and technical know-how to handle the
crafting of a Dynasty Trust that will encompass the vision of the settlor
leaving the legacy for his family.
an estate attorney who has the legal and technical know-how to handle the
crafting of a Dynasty Trust that will encompass the vision of the settlor
leaving the legacy for his family.
Things to Note in Dynasty Trust
creation
creation
Ø A seasoned estate attorney
Ø A knowledge of applicable laws
Ø The Trust itself
Ø Terms of the Trust couched in such a way as to
maximize the time for the enjoyment of the Trust interests before they become
alienable.
maximize the time for the enjoyment of the Trust interests before they become
alienable.
Ø The Trustee to be appointed (in most cases this is
usually assets management companies or perhaps any firm with expertise in
handling wealth). As aforementioned, it is better to appoint a corporate
trustee over a individual person.
usually assets management companies or perhaps any firm with expertise in
handling wealth). As aforementioned, it is better to appoint a corporate
trustee over a individual person.
Ø Trust manager
Ø The beneficiaries and the chain to be followed after
the death of the original beneficiaries to the Trust.
the death of the original beneficiaries to the Trust.
End Note
If you want to expand your legacy, then a Dynasty
Trust may be just the right instrument that can bring that plan to light. It is
one of the major factors a wealthy estate owner can easily consider when
planning the dissolution of his estate subsequently.
Trust may be just the right instrument that can bring that plan to light. It is
one of the major factors a wealthy estate owner can easily consider when
planning the dissolution of his estate subsequently.
© by Kingsley
Ugochukwu Ani L.P. All Rights Reserved. This article is meant for
personal/academic purposes, not commercial use by the readers.
Ugochukwu Ani L.P. All Rights Reserved. This article is meant for
personal/academic purposes, not commercial use by the readers.
About the Author:
Kingsley
Ugochukwu Ani Esq. Is a corporate lawyer with particular emphasis on real
estate, IP & IT areas of law. He is also a content writer and a business
development strategist. He can be reached on aniugochukwu@gmail.com and
+2347035074930.
Ugochukwu Ani Esq. Is a corporate lawyer with particular emphasis on real
estate, IP & IT areas of law. He is also a content writer and a business
development strategist. He can be reached on aniugochukwu@gmail.com and
+2347035074930.