Where to Go for Help?
✅ Master of the High Court – for trust registration.
✅ Lawyers & Estate Planners – to draft the trust deed.
✅ Financial Advisors & Banks – to manage investments inside the trust.
6️⃣ Open a Bank Account for the Trust
✔ This account is used to manage trust funds separately from personal finances.
✔ Most major banks in South Africa offer trust accounts.
5️⃣ Get a Tax Number for the Trust
All trusts must be registered with SARS for tax purposes. This allows the trust to legally hold and grow assets.
💡 Tip: A tax consultant can help ensure compliance and avoid penalties.
4️⃣ Register the Trust (R250 Fee)
To make it official, you must register the trust with the Master of the High Court in your province.
✔ Submit the trust deed, trustee IDs, and proof of payment (R250).
✔ Offices are in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and other major cities.
3️⃣ Appoint Trustees
The trustees manage the trust’s money and ensure it’s used correctly.
✔ You need at least one independent trustee (someone who is not a beneficiary).
✔ Trustees can be family members, a lawyer, a financial advisor, or a trust company.
💰 Cost: If you appoint a professional trustee, expect to pay between R500 – R2,000 per month for their services.
2️⃣ Draft a Trust Deed (R2,000 – R20,000)
This is the legal document that sets out the trust’s rules, such as:
Who will benefit from the trust?
How will the money be managed?
When can beneficiaries access the funds?
💼 Where to go: A lawyer, estate planner, or trust specialist can draft this for you.
1️⃣ Choose the Type of Trust
There are two types of trusts in South Africa:
✔ Living Trust (Inter Vivos Trust): Created while you’re alive to manage assets for your family.
✔ Testamentary Trust: Created in your will and only comes into effect when you pass away.
💡 Best for protecting wealth, funding education, or ensuring responsible financial management for loved ones.