Trusts

Trusts are a tool used for efficient tax planning and asset preservation. A trust is a legal entity in its own right. When you put assets in a trust, usually between one and four people (the Trustees) manage the Trust for the benefit of others (the beneficiaries).

Trusts services

Practical, tax-efficient advice

We are experienced in creating and managing trusts which are made via wills and during a settlor’s lifetime for all manner of situations and clients, which include:

bare trusts
interest in possession trusts
discretionary trusts
charitable trusts
property trusts
disabled beneficiary trusts
personal injury trusts

Trusts can be complex legal instruments and can be taxed differently depending on their type, so it pays to get expert advice before deciding which is best for you. They can be both tax effective and protect family assets. Many trusts must also be registered with HM Revenue & Customs.

Every person’s financial and family situation is unique. Our lawyers will work closely with you to provide a tailored plan, designed for your individual needs and requirements.

Contact us

Lead contacts

Meet the team

Tim Logan

Senior Partner, Solicitor & Head of Rural Affairs

Get in touch

Nicola Weldon

Partner, Solicitor & Head of Private Client

Get in touch

Other aspects of trusts we can help with

Trustees’ responsibilities and powers
Dealing with legacies to children aged under 18
Taxation of trusts and efficient tax planning – especially with regard to Inheritance Tax
Choosing trustees

Assisting in holding annual meetings to discuss investments and filing tax returns
Helping Trustees to review the Trust when circumstances change, such as changes which affect the family, or changes in the law
Liaising with Accountants and Independent Financial Advisers

We've been in your corner for over 250 years. We're independent, partner-led, and proud to stay that way – no outside ownership, no distant decision-makers.

Get expert advice

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about what we offer

Have a different question?

Get in touch

A trust is a legal arrangement where assets (such as property, cash, or shares) are held by designated individuals (trustees) for the benefit of chosen beneficiaries. By placing assets into a trust, you separate legal ownership from beneficial enjoyment, allowing you to establish strict rules on how and when wealth is distributed. This mechanism helps protect family wealth against potential risks, such as marital breakdowns, bankruptcy, or vulnerable beneficiaries managing money unwisely. Trusts also play a key role in tax planning, enabling settled capital to pass efficiently to future generations.

The most common structures created during a lifetime or through a Will include:

Discretionary Trusts: Give trustees full flexibility over how, when, and to which beneficiaries income or capital is distributed.
Interest in Possession (Life Interest) Trusts: Entitle a specific beneficiary (e.g., a surviving spouse) to receive income or reside in a property during their lifetime, with the capital passing to others (e.g., children) after their death.
Bare Trusts: Pass absolute entitlement to named beneficiaries once they reach the age of 18.

Our private client solicitors will guide you on choosing the right framework for your family's objectives.

Trustees have strict fiduciary duties under English trust law, requiring them to act impartially, invest trust funds responsibly, and strictly follow the terms of the trust deed. They are personally responsible for completing ongoing legal obligations, including registering the trust with HMRC’s Trust Registration Service (TRS), filing annual self-assessment tax returns, and paying applicable tax liabilities (such as Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and 10-year Inheritance Tax periodic charges). Our team supports trustees by handling these administrative, regulatory, and tax filing duties on their behalf.

News and insights