We operate probably the largest trust team in the region, so we can guarantee that you’ll benefit from specialist expertise and valuable experience in this complex area.
Whilst trusts are an important tool to help protect your estate from unnecessary Inheritance Tax (IHT) when you die, perhaps fewer people realise their real strength in enabling you to manage difficult issues such as protecting your family and passing on your business to a different generation.
Many people have a straightforward view of what they want to happen with their assets or their business in the future. Unfortunately, life has a habit of throwing up the unexpected to disrupt your plans.
Using trusts can give you the flexibility and control to cope with changing circumstances.
Expert advice for future planning
Trusts also allow you to protect your surviving spouse or other beneficiaries from the problems, pressures and unwanted attention often associated with inheritance. So, for example, if you feel that your children wouldn’t be ready to inherit at 18, but might be better waiting till 21 or 25, you can build this into the trust requirements.
If your estate is worth more than £325,000 (£650,000 for couples) then it makes sense to explore how you could benefit from using trusts.
We advise a broad range of clients on setting up different types of trusts, linking this in with wider tax and business succession planning if appropriate. Our team can take care of all trust administration matters and several of our partners and consultants are experienced trustees.
When someone does die, we can also deal with the estate, preparing the necessary accounts and tax calculations.
Advantages of using Trusts
- Trusts allow you to protect your surviving spouse or other beneficiaries from the problems, pressures and unwanted attention often associated with inheritance
- You can use trusts to stipulate the age at which beneficiaries inherit
- Property, cash or investments can be placed into trust
- Trusts can be set up during your lifetime or in your will
More ways we can help you with your Trusts
In addition to advising on the setting up of trusts, our experienced team can also manage and deal with the complete range of trust administration matters, including:
Annual accounts
Tax returns
Inheritance tax returns
Bookkeeping
Year-end distribution planning
Year-end Capital Gains Tax planning
Trustees’ meetings
Opening bank accounts, writing & banking cheques
Liaising with HMRC
Liaising with investment advisors
Winding up the trust
Key contacts
Private Clients Partner
Fergus has a wide range of experience in advising a mixed portfolio of clients ranging from individuals seeking personal tax and trusts advice to companies requiring accounts and corporate tax planning assistance.
Fergus’ profile >
Senior Tax Specialist
A member of the Institute of Taxation, The Society of Trusts & Estate Practitioners and the Personal Finance Society, Anne provides specialist personal tax advice to wealthy individuals and their families, business owners and trustees, focusing on wealth preservation and managing the main taxes.
Senior Tax Manager
A Chartered Taxation Adviser and a fully qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Becky provides tax compliance services and pro-active tax planning advice to her clients, also working on the preparation of trust accounts and delivering estate administration services to trusts, estates, their beneficiaries and trustees.
