Trust Solicitors

What Is a Trust?

A Trust is a legal arrangement in which one person, the settlor, transfers assets to trustees to hold and manage for named beneficiaries. Trustees legally own the assets, but must manage them according to the trust deed and in the beneficiaries’ best interests. A Trust can hold property, investments or cash, and can last for decades.

Trust Services We Offer

Our Trust solicitors advise individuals, families and professionals across a wide range of Trust matters, whether creating, running or ending one.

Setting Up a Trust

We can advise on the most appropriate structure for your circumstances, and draft trust deeds that are clear and legally sound. The right Trust can reduce Inheritance Tax exposure, protect assets from creditors, and ensure wealth reaches the right people at the right time.

Discretionary Trusts

“I want flexibility, not a fixed rule” is a common starting point. A discretionary Trust lets trustees decide how and when to distribute income and capital, useful for Inheritance Tax planning, protecting assets for minor children, or beneficiaries whose needs may change.

Trust Wills

A Trust created within your Will takes effect on death, commonly used to provide for a surviving spouse while preserving the estate for children, or safeguard an inheritance for a beneficiary with care needs.

Trusts for Vulnerable Beneficiaries

“My son has a disability — how do I provide for him without losing his benefits?” A carefully drafted vulnerable beneficiary Trust can preserve entitlement to means-tested benefits while still providing financial support.

Trustee Advice and Support

Acting as trustee carries real legal and financial responsibility. We guide trustees through record-keeping, tax reporting, investment decisions and distributions, and advise on trustee retirement and replacement.

Trust Administration

Running a Trust over many years needs ongoing legal and tax compliance. We prepare Trust accounts, liaise with HMRC, and advise on income tax and Capital Gains Tax within the Trust.

Trust Disputes

Disputes between trustees and beneficiaries, or between co-trustees, can arise in complex family situations. Our Trust Disputes colleagues advise on breach of trust claims and applications to court, seeking resolution without litigation wherever possible.

How the Trust Process Works

Setting up and running a Trust involves several stages — here is what to expect when you work with Nelsons.

1. Initial consultation: We understand your circumstances, goals and family situation; typically 45 minutes to an hour.
2. Advice on structure: We recommend the most appropriate Trust type and explain tax implications and trustee responsibilities.
3. Drafting the trust deed: We draft a bespoke deed setting out trustees, beneficiaries, property and governing rules.
4. Execution and registration: You and your trustees sign in the presence of witnesses; many Trusts must register with HMRC’s Trust Registration Service within 90 days of creation.
5. Ongoing administration: Trustees take on management responsibility, and we remain available for ongoing advice, tax returns and trustee meetings.

Why Choose Nelsons as Your Trust Solicitors

Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team combines technical expertise with a straightforward, personal approach.

Decades of Trust Experience

We handle straightforward family Trusts and complex multi-asset structures alike, understanding the tax, legal and practical issues at every stage.

Joined-Up Private Client Advice

Trusts rarely exist in isolation. We work alongside our Wills, probate and Inheritance Tax teams so your Trust fits your estate as a whole.

Transparent on Costs

We often offer a fixed fee for straightforward Trust drafting, and agree a clear basis for ongoing administration fees before any work begins.

Talk to a Trust Solicitor Today

Call 0800 024 1976 or fill in our online enquiry form. Offices in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.