Wills, Estates & Probate

Testamentary Trust

Also known as: testamentary trust will

In plain English

A trust created by your will that holds part of your estate for beneficiaries, often to protect assets or manage money for children.

What it means

A testamentary trust is a trust established under a will that comes into effect after death. Instead of giving assets to beneficiaries outright, the will directs that they be held by a trustee for the benefit of others, which can provide asset protection, tax flexibility, and protection for vulnerable or young beneficiaries. Testamentary trusts are recognised across Australia and can offer income-tax advantages for minor beneficiaries. They are commonly used in estate planning for families and blended families.

How it's used

Their will set up a testamentary trust so their young children's inheritance would be managed by a trustee until they turned 25.

Dealing with testamentary trust in real life?

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