Services
Trust Planning
A trust separates who controls an asset from who benefits from it — and that separation is what creates protection.
Trusts have a reputation for being complicated and exclusive. In practice they are simply a way of holding something for someone else's benefit, under rules you set — and they solve problems that an outright gift cannot.
They allow you to provide for a beneficiary without handing them control. They can protect an inheritance from divorce settlements, creditors, or a beneficiary's own difficulties managing money. They can preserve a share of the family home for children while a surviving spouse continues to live in it. And they can protect a vulnerable beneficiary's entitlement to means-tested support.
Not every family needs a trust, and we will tell you plainly if yours does not. Where one is appropriate, we will explain exactly what it does, what it costs to run, who the trustees should be, and what will be expected of them.
What this covers
- Property Protection Trusts
- Ring-fencing a share of the family home so it reaches your children.
- Discretionary Trusts
- Trustees decide how and when beneficiaries benefit, as circumstances change.
- Life Interest Trusts
- Income or occupation for one person now; capital preserved for others later.
- Disabled Person's Trusts
- Structured to protect an inheritance without disturbing means-tested support.
- Trustee selection and guidance
- Choosing the right people, and making sure they know what the role requires.
- Letters of wishes
- Private guidance to your trustees about how you would want them to act.
Common questions
Trusts, answered plainly
- Are trusts only for wealthy families?
- No. Many of the trusts we set up are for families of ordinary means whose main asset is the house. The value of a trust comes from the protection it provides, not the size of the estate it holds.
- Who should I appoint as trustees?
- People who are trustworthy, willing, and likely to outlive you — and who can be even-handed between beneficiaries. It is often a mix of a family member who understands the personalities and a professional who understands the duties. We will talk this through properly rather than simply asking for two names.
- Do trusts avoid care fees?
- You should be extremely wary of anyone who tells you they do. Transferring assets specifically to avoid care costs can be treated as deliberate deprivation, with the local authority assessing you as though you still owned them. Legitimate planning exists, but it must be done for the right reasons and with clear advice about the risks.
Related
Often planned alongside
Wills
Ensure your wishes are clearly documented and the people you love are properly considered.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Put trusted people in place to make important decisions if you are unable to make them yourself.
Inheritance Tax Planning
Understand your exposure and explore legitimate strategies for reducing it.
Start the conversation
Planning for tomorrow starts today.
You don’t need to have all the answers. That’s what we’re here for. Let’s start with a conversation about your family, your assets and what matters most to you.