Creation and administration of Trusts

We’ll work with you to understand what’s important to you, advising how you can best protect your family and assets.

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What is a Trust?

A Trust allows you to pass on the benefit of assets, such as money, property, or investments - while keeping some control over how and when they’re used. Trusts can be used to:

Protect assets for future generations
Provide for children or vulnerable Beneficiaries
Support a spouse or partner while preserving assets for others
Reduce inheritance tax or protect against care fees
Manage compensation or charitable giving

Trusts can be created during your lifetime or written into your Will.

Types of Trusts we advise on

We can help you understand which type of Trust best suits your goals:

Bare Trusts – assets are held for someone who is absolutely entitled to them
Discretionary Trusts – Trustees decide how and when to distribute assets among a group of Beneficiaries
Life Interest Trusts – one person benefits from income or use of assets during their lifetime, with capital preserved for others
Trusts for children – assets are held until a child reaches a specified age
Disabled Person’s Trusts – designed to support a disabled Beneficiary and qualify for special tax treatment
Charitable Trusts – created for charitable purposes and benefit from tax relief
Personal Injury Compensation Trusts – protect compensation from affecting means-tested benefits or care funding

Supporting Trustees and Beneficiaries

Trusts come with legal responsibilities. Our team can help with:

Day-to-day Trust administration
Preparing tax returns and annual accounts
Registering with HMRC’s Trust Registration Service
Advising on compliance and regulatory duties
Advising on amending and termination Trusts
Supporting Trustees in fulfilling their obligations
Helping Beneficiaries understand their rights
Acting as a Professional Trustee under the Porter Dodson Trust Corporation to ensure continuity

Choosing the right Trustees is crucial - they’ll be the legal owners of the assets and must act in the best interests of the Beneficiaries.

How we can help

Whether you’re:

Thinking about setting up a Trust
A Trustee needing guidance
A Beneficiary with questions about your entitlement

We’re here to help you navigate the legal landscape with clarity and confidence.

Why Choose Porter Dodson?

Recognised excellence – Ranked in both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for our expertise in private client services, including Wills, Trusts, and Probate.

Clear, compassionate advice – We speak your language, not legal jargon, and tailor our guidance to your personal circumstances.

Joined-up legal support – Our team works seamlessly across estate planning, tax, property, and disputes to protect your interests.

Trusted by generations – With deep roots in the community, we’ve supported families and business owners across the South West for decades.

We’re here to make sure your wishes are respected—whatever the future brings.

I instructed Ellice Pounder recently to write my Will. She was excellent, very professional and I was well advised throughout the process. I would highly recommend Ellice.

Beth

I experienced a very helpful, friendly and approachable service whilst accepting advice during the appointments I attended for the making of my Will.

Marion

I would like to repeat my thanks to you and Caitlin for all the work involved in setting up our Lifetime Settlement. The Trust Deed was clear and followed the expressed wishes we gave you. You kept us fully informed at all times and the preparation, completion and registration were carried out in a most professional way with minimum delay. I would not hesitate to recommend Porter Dodson to any family member or friend seeking legal advice on trusts and wills and other related legal matters.

Michael

I would like to say a special thank you to Rose who has always been very approachable and friendly, leaving me at ease whenever I have had a question.

Debbie