What is a trust?
A trust is a legal structure where assets or property are handled by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary). The trust can be established by the settlor (the creator of the trust) either during their lifetime or when they pass away.
There are many different types of trusts, but they all have three key components:
- The settlor: the person who establishes the trust
- The trustee: the individual in charge of the trust and its assets
- The beneficiaries: the people benefiting from the trust
The trustee is legally obliged to manage the trust and its assets as required by the settlor. This includes making sure that the beneficiaries receive all of their entitled benefits.
Discretionary Trusts can have particular advantages, allowing the Trustees control of your assets and discretion should circumstances change over time. The Trust can be supported by a Letter of Wishes which enables you to express your thoughts and directions on how you wish the Trust to operate.
Our team can advise on the creation and management of trusts, as well as the tax implications of setting up and running a trust.