Trust Entities
Trusts represent fiduciary structures where trustees hold assets for the benefit of beneficiaries. StructureGram supports eight different trust types with flexible relationship management.
Required Fields
Every trust must have:
- Name: The trust's name (up to 200 characters)
- Trust Type: Select from eight supported types (see Trust Types below)
Trust Types
Discretionary Trust
Label: "Discretionary Trust"
Trustee has discretion over distributions to beneficiaries. Most common for family wealth structures.
Key Features:
- Flexible distribution discretion
- Tax planning advantages
- Asset protection benefits
Diagram Display: Hexagon shape
Unit Trust
Label: "Unit Trust"
Beneficiaries hold fixed units with specific entitlements. Similar to company shares but in trust form.
Key Features:
- Fixed unit entitlements
- Unitholder relationships track percentage ownership
- Clear distribution rights
Diagram Display: Octagon shape
Relationships: Unitholders → Unit Trust (with percentage)
Hybrid Trust
Label: "Hybrid Trust"
Combination of discretionary and unit trust features.
Key Features:
- Both discretionary and fixed components
- Flexible structure for complex planning
Diagram Display: Ellipse shape
Testamentary Trust
Label: "Testamentary Trust"
Created under a will, activated upon death of testator.
Key Features:
- Estate planning tool
- Tax benefits for minor beneficiaries
- Activated after death
Diagram Display: Pill shape
Bare Trust/Nominee
Label: "Bare Trust"
Short Label: "Bare Trust"
Trustee holds legal title purely as nominee for beneficiary who has absolute entitlement.
Key Features:
- Beneficiary has immediate right to trust property
- Minimal trustee discretion
- Often used for holding arrangements
Special Disability Trust
Label: "Special Disability Trust"
Government-supported trust for people with severe disabilities.
Key Features:
- Specific tax and Centrelink benefits
- Strict eligibility requirements
- Purpose-built for disability care
Private Ancillary Fund (PAF)
Label: "Private Ancillary Fund"
Short Label: "PAF"
Private charitable trust for philanthropic giving.
Key Features:
- Tax-deductible donations
- Regulated by ATO
- Must distribute to approved charities
Charitable Fund
Label: "Charitable Fund"
General charitable or community trust.
Key Features:
- Charitable purposes
- Tax exemptions may apply
- Community benefit focus
Optional Fields
Basic Information
- ABN (Australian Business Number): 11 digits (clearable)
- TFN (Tax File Number): 9 digits (stored securely, see Sensitive Data)
- Establishment Date: When trust was created (also called "Settled Date")
- Vesting Date: When trust terminates or vests
- Jurisdiction: Where trust is governed (single line text)
- Purpose: Description of trust purpose (up to 1,000 characters)
- Notes: Additional information (up to 5,000 characters)
Group Management
- Group Join Date: When trust joined a particular group
- Group Exit Date: When trust left a group
Status
| Status | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Passive | Not actively transacting (default) | New trusts, holding structures |
| Active | Actively making distributions | Operating trusts |
| Dormant | Minimal or no activity | Inactive trusts |
| Vested | Distribution to beneficiaries complete | Trust has terminated |
| Proposed | Not yet established | Planning stage only |
Default: Passive
Note: Most trusts remain "Passive" unless they're actively distributing income. This differs from companies, which default to "Active."
Relationship Capabilities
Trusts can participate in these relationships:
As Owner/Holder
- Shareholder → Company (with percentage and share class)
- Unitholder → Another Unit Trust (with percentage)
- Partner → Partnership (with percentage interest)
- Ownership → Asset (with percentage and ownership method)
As Beneficiary
- Beneficiary → Another Trust (trusts can be beneficiaries of other trusts)
Structure (People/Companies managing the Trust)
- Trustee ← Individual or Company
- Appointor ← Individual or Company (person who can appoint/remove trustees)
- Beneficiary ← Individual, Company, or Trust
Incoming Relationships (for Unit Trusts)
- Unitholder ← Individual, Company, Trust, SMSF, or Partnership (for unit trusts only)
Examples
Family Discretionary Trust
- Johnson Family Trust
- Type: Discretionary
- ABN: 12 345 678 901
- Status: Passive
- Trustee: Johnson Holdings Pty Ltd
- Appointor: Robert Johnson
- Beneficiaries: Johnson family members
- Owns shares in operating company
Unit Trust for Investment
- Property Investment Unit Trust
- Type: Unit
- ABN: 98 765 432 109
- Status: Active
- Trustee: Investment Co Pty Ltd
- Unitholders:
- Sarah Smith (50%)
- Michael Brown (30%)
- Jones Family Trust (20%)
- Owns multiple properties
Testamentary Trust (Estate Planning)
- Williams Testamentary Trust
- Type: Testamentary
- Status: Active (activated after death)
- Trustee: Williams Estate Pty Ltd
- Beneficiaries: Williams children and grandchildren
- Created under will of Robert Williams (deceased)
Special Disability Trust
- Smith Special Disability Trust
- Type: Special Disability Trust
- Status: Active
- Trustee: Sarah Smith (parent)
- Principal Beneficiary: James Smith (disabled)
- Purpose: Long-term care for James
Implementation Notes
Code vs Story Differences
- Trust Type Expansion: Implemented 8 trust types (original stories specified only 4-5 basic types)
- TFN Storage: Secure encryption with separate fields (
tfnEncrypted,tfnLast3) not detailed in stories - Group Date Fields: Added
groupJoinDateandgroupExitDatefor group management tracking - Vesting Date: Added field separate from establishment date
- Default Status: Changed to "Passive" (stories didn't specify default, Active seemed inappropriate for trusts)
- Diagram Shapes: Each trust type maps to unique shapes in diagrams (not originally specified)
Validation Rules
- ABN must be exactly 11 digits (digits only, clearable via null)
- TFN must be 8 or 9 digits (digits only, optional)
- Trust name is required (up to 200 characters)
- Trust type is required (must select from enum)