trust administration

Trusts (sometimes also referred to as 'settlements') are an established and flexible mechanism for holding cash or other assets. They may be created either during an individual's lifetime or under their will.

As a result of their flexibility, trusts can be tailored to achieve a variety of different ends including:

• asset protection
• smooth succession of assets on death
• tax mitigation
• provision of protected income streams for vulnerable adults or children

We are experts in the creation, use and variation of trusts for all private client related purposes.

As well as advising on the creation of new trusts, we have a dedicated team of trust administrators who are responsible for the day-to-day running of over 500 existing trusts. Their work includes:

• managing the trust assets
• advising trustees on their duties and responsibilities
• liaising with beneficiaries regarding their entitlements
• preparing annual trust accounts and tax returns

Our trust administrators are also able to act as a central point of contact for other professionals involved with a trust, such as investment managers, brokers, land agents and accountants.

In many cases, partners of Clarke Willmott act as individual trustees of clients' trusts as part of our overall involvement in their affairs. We see this as a good example of the personal and trusted relationship we seek to develop with all our clients.