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Will
- A Will covers everything you own but takes effect only after estate administration
- A Will becomes part of a public process, while a trust stays private
Trust Solutions
Inter Vivos Trust
Inter Vivos Trust: A Living Trust in Malaysia
Support your loved ones with a living trust, without waiting for probate.
The Inter Vivos Trust is a living trust established in Malaysia during your lifetime, so the people you love are supported on your terms, without the delays of estate administration.
What a Living Trust Does
When a person passes away, personally owned assets are locked until the estate administration process is complete. Families often discover this at the worst possible moment, standing in a bank branch with bills due and an account that cannot be touched.
A living trust in Malaysia sidesteps that queue entirely.
Key Benefits
- Trust assets are distributed according to the Trust Deed, without waiting for the estate administration that applies to personally owned assets
- Beneficiaries receive timely support for immediate living expenses and financial commitments
- Distributions follow your instructions on amount, timing and purpose
A Living Trust and Your Will
Many clients ask whether a living trust in Malaysia replaces will writing, and the honest answer is that they belong together. Your Will distributes the estate as a whole, while the trust removes selected assets from that queue entirely.
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Living Trust
- A living trust covers the assets you place in it and works during your lifetime
- A properly established trust is harder to contest than a Will
Three Tiers, One Purpose
We built every tier on the same trusted foundation.
Each runs on a three-year tenure with an optional two-year extension. Every tier accommodates up to three primary and three substitute beneficiaries, with ZICO Trust as trustee. The difference lies in the placement amount and the projected returns.
Silver
Inter Vivos Trust Silver
We designed Silver as the entry point for first-time planners who want a living trust working for their family without a large commitment.
- Minimum placement of RM100,000, in multiples of RM50,000
- Open to individuals: Malaysian citizens, permanent residents or foreigners
- Projected profit share of 6% to 8% per annum
Gold
Inter Vivos Trust Gold
We shaped Gold for established families who want a larger placement generating stronger projected returns under the same trusted structure.
- Minimum placement of RM300,000, in multiples of RM100,000
- Open to individuals: Malaysian citizens, permanent residents or foreigners
- Projected profit share of 7% to 9% per annum
Platinum
Inter Vivos Trust Platinum
We extended Platinum to companies and associations, making it the tier of choice for business owners planning at scale.
- Minimum placement of RM500,000, in multiples of RM200,000
- Open to individuals as well as companies and associations
- Projected profit share of 8% to 10% per annum
Figures follow the October 2023 term sheets from ZICO Trust (M) Berhad and are subject to confirmation at the point of placement. Upon the Settlor's passing, disbursement is carried out subject to the decision of the beneficiary.
Revocable or Irrevocable?
Revocable
A revocable trust lets the Settlor amend or unwind the arrangement during their lifetime.
Irrevocable
An irrevocable trust locks the instructions in, trading flexibility for stronger protection.
Our advice always depends on why you are planning in the first place, because neither answer is right for everyone. Parents protecting young children often favour certainty, while planners early in their journey may value the freedom a revocable trust preserves.
Your Trust Consultant will walk you through how the Trust Deed handles revocation, so the structure matches your intent before you sign anything.
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How Your Trust Takes Shape
Step 1: Share Your Goals
Sit down with a Trust Consultant, in person or online, and talk through who you want to protect and how.
We map your family, your assets and your worries before any product enters the conversation.
Step 2: Design the Structure
Our consultants propose the tier, beneficiaries and distribution terms, then walk you through the Trust Deed prepared with ZICO Trust.
Our consultants explain every clause in plain language before you commit to anything.
Step 3: Place the Assets
Complete the placement, and the trustee confirms your tailored trust is live.
From that day, your instructions are already protecting the people you named.
Step 4: Review as Life Changes
Marriages, births and new ventures all change the picture.
Your consultant stays dedicated to the relationship and reviews the arrangement with you as the years pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does inter vivos mean?
Inter vivos is a Latin term meaning “between the living”. An inter vivos trust, often called a living trust, takes effect during your lifetime. A testamentary trust, by contrast, only comes into force through your Will after death.
Is a living trust in Malaysia revocable?
It depends on the terms written into the Trust Deed at establishment. Some structures preserve the Settlor's right to revoke, while others are deliberately irrevocable for protection. Your consultant will ensure you know exactly what the Deed allows before you commit.
How much do I need to start?
The Silver tier starts at RM100,000, with further placements in multiples of RM50,000. Gold begins at RM300,000 and Platinum at RM500,000. There is no charge for the initial consultation.
How long does the trust run?
The standard tenure is three years, with an optional extension of two more. Many clients treat the first tenure as a starting point and renew as their planning grows. Longer structures are available through a dedicated Family Trust.
Who can I name as beneficiaries?
You may name up to three primary and three substitute beneficiaries. Most clients name a spouse, children or parents, though the choice is entirely yours. Substitutes step in if a primary beneficiary passes away before distribution.
What happens when the Settlor passes away?
The trustee carries out disbursement subject to the decision of the beneficiary, following the Trust Deed. Because the assets already sit in trust, your family does not wait for estate administration. Support continues while the rest of the estate goes through its formal process.
Start Your Legacy Plan
A living trust is the plan your family experiences while you are still here to share it.