How does gifting to a Trust work?

Our Experts Answer:

Hi Glen,
Generally, it is the equity in the property that will be gifted. This assumes the trust will acquire the property and the mortgage and will accordingly acknowledge a debt to Bob for the $300,000 difference between the value of the property and the debt owed.

If Bob then sets about reducing the trusts mortgage he is making "further advances" to the trust. These advances increase the amount he is owed by the trust and it is appropriate that they be periodically tallied and formally documented with the trusts Lawyer.

Some lawyers choose to transfer the property to the trust without transfering the mortgage. In this case the full $800,000 is acknowledged as owing to Bob. This approach avoids the need to update the deeds of debt owing to Bob as the loan is repaid but also can result in more gifting being done than the true equity that Bob has in the property.

My preferance is for the first approach.
Thanks for your question
Mark Withers

Mark Withers and his team at Withers Tsang & Co specialise in advising on property related transactions, valuation and restructure services and tax planning.