Hiding assets in a Trust during divorce.

 
WT & others v KT (933/2013)[2015] ZASCA 9 (13 March 2015) 
 
The Supreme Court of Appeal handed down judgment in a case concerning whether assets of a discretionary family trust form part of the joint estate of parties married in community of property.  

W (the plaintiff in the court below and the first appellant) who was married to K (the defendant in the court below and the respondent) in community of property, instituted divorce action in the Gauteng Local Division, claiming a decree of divorce as well as ancillary relief. Whilst K did not oppose the decree of divorce sought by her husband, she filed a counterclaim relating to the extent of the assets of their joint estate. In her counterclaim, K claimed that assets of a trust established prior to the marriage formed part of the joint estate of the parties.

K’s contention that assets of the trust formed part of the joint estate was based on: 

(a) W deceiving her. 
(b) The trust being W’s alter ego.

The high court found in favour of K that the joint estate included the assets of the trust. On appeal, the SCA held that there was no evidence supporting K’s contention of W’s deception. The SCA further held that K’s belief that she would be an equal owner of the matrimonial home, which had been registered in the name of the trust, was not corroborated and was improbable given the undisputed evidence relating to establishment of the trust. 

Get the full judgement on the link below: 

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wt__v_kt_933_2013_2015_zasca_9.pdf
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