Family trust loans are a specialised type of financing in Australia that offer unique benefits and considerations. If you’re considering using a family trust to manage and invest your assets, understanding how these loans work is essential.Â
Here’s Unconditional Finance’s comprehensive guide to help you navigate this financial option.
What Is a Family Trust?
A family trust is a legal financial arrangement with the primary purpose of managing assets efficiently, providing financial benefits to family members, and offering asset protection.Â
In a family trust, the trustee, who is often a trusted family member or a professional, manages the assets on the beneficiaries’ behalf. Meanwhile, the beneficiaries are the family members, usually the children or other relatives, who benefit from the assets and income earned through the trust.
The assets in a family trust are owned by the trust itself, not by any individual. This allows for effective management and distribution of income generated by these assets, typically done at the end of each financial year.
What Is a Family Trust Loan?
A family trust loan is a financial product that allows a family trust to borrow money, usually for investment purposes, such as purchasing property. It can offer advantages such as asset protection and tax benefits, but it also comes with specific requirements and limitations. Below are the key points you need to understand about this loan type:
Trustees and Guarantors
Lenders often mandate that trustees and sometimes all adult beneficiaries act as guarantors when applying for a loan using a family trust. This requirement means that these individuals must provide personal guarantees for the loan, offering the lender an additional layer of security. Each guarantor is required to present evidence of income, assets, and liabilities, ensuring they can meet their financial obligations if necessary.
Acting as a guarantor involves accepting personal liability for the loan, which shares the financial responsibility among multiple trust members and reduces the lender’s risk. However, this requirement can complicate the loan approval process, as it necessitates comprehensive financial documentation from all involved parties and their agreement to act as guarantors. If any adult beneficiary refuses to act as a guarantor, lenders often reject the loan application. Nonetheless, there are some lenders and brokers that specialise in family trust lending and can assist in finding suitable loan products that may not require all members to act as guarantors.
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)
The loan-to-value ratio (LVR) is the portion of the property’s value that a lender agrees to finance. For family trust loans, LVRs can vary significantly between lenders. Some may offer an LVR as high as 95%, meaning you would need a deposit of only 5% of the property’s value. However, it’s more common to see LVRs around 80%, particularly for loans with fewer documentation requirements (low-doc loans).
The LVR not only determines the size of your deposit but also influences the loan’s risk profile and interest rates. A higher LVR generally signals higher risk for the lender, which might lead to stricter lending criteria or higher interest rates. Therefore, it’s important to assess your financial situation and the specific requirements of different lenders when seeking a family trust loan, as this can have a huge influence on the total cost and feasibility of the loan for your trust. Consider consulting with financial experts to understand the implications of LVR on your borrowing capacity and to find the most suitable loan terms for your family trust.
Asset Protection
A family trust loan offers significant asset protection benefits. When you use a family trust to hold assets, those assets are owned by the trust and not by the individual beneficiaries. This arrangement can shield your property and other investments from creditors and debt collectors, providing a layer of protection if you encounter financial difficulties. For example, if you face a lawsuit or a business failure, the assets within the family trust are generally safeguarded from being seized to satisfy personal debts.
Additionally, family trusts can protect assets during personal circumstances such as marriage breakdowns. In the event of a divorce, the assets held in the trust are not considered personal property, making them less likely to be divided as part of a divorce settlement. This protection extends to safeguarding family wealth for future generations, ensuring that your assets remain within the family.
Tax Benefits
One of the significant tax benefits of a family trust loan is the ability to distribute income to beneficiaries with lower taxable incomes. By strategically allocating income to beneficiaries in lower tax brackets, you can reduce the overall tax burden on the trust’s income. This can be particularly beneficial if you have children or other family members who are not earning substantial income, allowing the trust to take advantage of their lower tax rates. However, make sure to seek professional advice to ensure compliance with tax laws and maximise benefits appropriately.
Additionally, family trust loans can provide tax benefits through negative gearing. Negative gearing is a strategy where the interest expenses on a loan used to invest in income-producing property exceed the income generated by the property, creating a net loss; this loss can be deducted against the trust’s other income, reducing the overall taxable income of the trust. If the trust borrows to invest in income-producing property, the interest expenses on the loan can be deducted against the trust’s income. This may lead to a lower taxable income for the trust, potentially leading to significant tax savings. Negative gearing can be a useful tool for managing the trust’s tax liabilities, especially when the investment property generates rental income. Again, it is crucial to consult with a financial professional to navigate the complexities of tax regulations and optimise the tax advantages of these trust loans.
Estate Planning
Using a family trust for estate planning significantly simplifies the process of passing assets to future generations. When assets are held within a family trust, they’re managed by the trustee according to the trust deed, which outlines how and when the assets should be distributed to the beneficiaries. While it does not replace the need for a will and proper estate planning, this arrangement bypasses the complexities of traditional estate planning methods, such as wills and probate, ensuring a smoother and more efficient transfer of wealth.Â
Moreover, since the structured nature of a family trust provides clear guidelines for asset distribution, this reduces potential disputes among heirs and provides a level of financial security and continuity for future generations.
How to Apply for a Family Trust Loan?
Applying for a family trust loan in Australia involves several key steps to ensure you meet lender requirements and secure the best terms for your loan. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Consult a Financial Professional
Before you begin the application process, it is crucial to speak with a financial advisor. They can help you understand the structure of family trusts, the specific benefits, and any potential tax implications. This initial step ensures you are well-prepared and informed about the responsibilities and advantages of using a family trust for a loan.
Prepare Necessary Documentation
Lenders require a comprehensive set of documents to process your family trust loan application. You will need to provide a verified copy of the trust deed, identification for each trustee and beneficiary, and financial statements such as tax returns and notices of assessment. These documents help the lender assess the trust’s financial health and capacity to pay off the loan.
Find the Right Lender
Not all lenders offer family trust loans, so it’s important to find those that do. Working with a mortgage broker specialising in these loans can be highly beneficial; they can guide you to lenders who have experience with these types of loans and can offer competitive rates and terms.
Submit Your Application
After gathering all the necessary documents and selecting a suitable lender, you can now submit your loan application. The application will typically require detailed information about the trust’s assets, liabilities, and income. Trustees and beneficiaries over 18 years old may also need to act as guarantors and provide additional financial information.
Review the Loan Terms and Conditions
After you’ve submitted your loan application, the lender will evaluate it and request additional information if needed. If your application is approved, carefully review the terms and conditions of the loan, including the interest rates, repayment schedules, and fees. Ensure you understand all details of the agreement before signing.
Finalise the Loan
After agreeing to the terms, you must complete any remaining paperwork to finalise the loan. The lender will then release the funds based on the terms of the loan agreement, allowing you to invest in property or other assets through the family trust.
How to Choose the Right Lender?
Choosing the right lender when applying for a family trust loan in Australia is crucial to ensure you get the best terms and conditions. Here are the factors to consider when selecting a lender:
Specialisation
As mentioned, not all lenders in Australia offer family trust loans. This is due to various reasons, including the lack of personal liability associated with such trust loans, which makes them riskier for lenders. Therefore, when applying for one, specifically look for lenders or brokers who specialise in family trust lending, as they will be more familiar with these loans’ unique requirements and benefits.
Loan Terms and Conditions
Carefully examine the loan terms and conditions offered by various lenders. These include interest rates, fees, and the LVR. While select lenders might offer an LVR of up to 95%, others might be more conservative. Understanding these can help you choose a lender that aligns with your financial strategy.
Guarantor Requirements
Trustees and beneficiaries are often required to be over the age of 18 to act as guarantors. Ensure you understand the lender’s policy on guarantors and whether all adult beneficiaries must be involved. Some lenders might be more flexible in their requirements, which can simplify the loan process.
Lender Reputation and Reliability
Conduct research on the reputation and reliability of potential lenders. Look for reviews and testimonials from other people who have successfully secured loans with a family trust. A lender with a strong track record in this niche can provide peace of mind and a smoother application process.
Additional Services and Support
Consider lenders offering additional services, such as flexible repayment options. A lender who provides comprehensive support can be beneficial, especially if you are navigating the complexities of a family trust loan for the first time.
Final Thoughts
Family trust loans in Australia present a unique opportunity for managing growing family wealth in Australia. Understanding the intricacies of these loans, from trustee responsibilities to loan-to-value ratios and guarantor requirements, is crucial for making informed decisions.Â
Before proceeding with a family trust loan, it’s strongly recommended to consult a financial advisor or a mortgage broker specialising in these loans, prepare comprehensive documentation, and choose the right lender. Contact us at Unconditional Finance today for tailored guidance and to explore your options.
