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12 November 2020

Lost for words

Companies, Trusts, Partnerships & Superannuation
New South Wales

Asked

Trusts - Lost trust deed

What can a client do when they have lost their trust deed?

Answered

Thank you for the question.

There are presumably records of the establishment of the trust and its transactions, including tax returns, resolutions and other confirmatory information.

If there is a copy of the deed it can be used with the recitals outlined below to confirm the trust.

Otherwise, if there is no copy, from the available evidence it may be possible to draft a trust deed which recites that:

  1. the trust was created appointing the trustee and beneficiaries;
  2. the trust was stamped and the trust property administered by the trustee with confirmatory financial records maintained since its inception;
  3. the original trust deed has been mislaid and that after enquiry of bankers, lawyers and accountants it cannot be located; and
  4. the trustee and beneficiaries have joined in this deed to confirm its validity and efficacy as reflecting the provisions of the lost trust deed.

If the firm that prepared the trust uses a standard trust precedent, then that can be recited and that precedent used.

It may also be possible to locate a copy of the stamped deed from the revenue office and lodge an ODA 019 Replica instruments form to replace the lost trust deed.

Alternatively, the trust might be one that can continue without a trust deed and administered in accordance with the Trustee Act 1925.

Regards

Mentor