Trusts – London Trust Lawyers and Estate Planning Specialists

Expert Trust Advice for London-Based Individuals and Families

At Staple Inn Notaries, we advise London-based individuals, families, and business owners on the creation, structuring, and administration of trusts under English law, with particular expertise in high-value and complex estates.

From our Central London offices, we act for clients across London and internationally, delivering bespoke trust solutions designed to protect wealth, manage succession, and mitigate tax efficiently.

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What Is a Trust?

A trust is a legal structure that allows assets to be held and managed by trustees for the benefit of chosen beneficiaries. Trusts are commonly used to:

Protect family wealth
Control how and when assets are distributed
Provide for children or vulnerable beneficiaries
Reduce exposure to Inheritance Tax
Manage assets across generations

When structured correctly, trusts are a powerful tool for long-term estate and wealth planning.

Trusts for London High-Net-Worth Families

We regularly advise London-based HNW and UHNW clients on trust planning where estates involve:

London and UK property portfolios
Significant investment assets
Family businesses
International or multi-generational wealth
Complex family structures

Our advice is tailored, strategic, and always aligned with your wider estate planning objectives.

Types of Trusts We Advise On

We advise on and draft a wide range of trusts, including:

Discretionary Trusts
Life Interest (Interest in Possession) Trusts
Bare Trusts
Trusts for Minor or Vulnerable Beneficiaries
Will Trusts
Trusts for Inheritance Tax Planning

We also advise on whether a trust should be created during lifetime or within a Will, depending on tax, control, and succession considerations.

Trusts and Inheritance Tax Planning

Trusts play a key role in Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, particularly for London estates exposed to rising property values.

We advise on:

Use of trusts to reduce IHT exposure
Nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band planning
Periodic and exit charges
Lifetime gifting into trust
Interaction between trusts and Wills

Our advice ensures trusts are structured lawfully, tax-efficiently, and with full HMRC compliance.

Trusts Within Wills

We frequently incorporate trusts into Wills to:

Protect assets for children and future generations
Provide flexibility for changing circumstances
Safeguard assets from divorce or creditor claims
Manage inheritance for vulnerable beneficiaries

As a STEP-qualified Private Client lawyer, Sheikh Najam ensures that trusts created by Will are legally robust and practically workable.

Trust Administration and Ongoing Advice

In addition to trust creation, we advise trustees on:

Trust administration and governance
Trustee duties and decision-making
Trust distributions
Changes to trust structures
Interaction with probate and estate administration

Our Central London practice allows us to work closely with trustees, family offices, accountants, and overseas advisers where required.

Cross-Border and International Trust Advice

We also advise London-based clients with international connections, including:

Overseas assets held in trust
UK resident beneficiaries
International succession planning
Coordination with foreign legal advisers

Our combined legal and notarial expertise ensures trust arrangements are recognised and effective across borders.

Why Choose Staple Inn Notaries for Trust Advice in London?

Central London-based trust specialists
STEP-qualified Private Client lawyer
Expertise in high-value and complex trusts
Integrated Wills, trusts, probate, and tax advice
Experience acting for international families
Discreet, bespoke service for private clients

Wills and Estates

London wills lawyers advise on UK and cross-border wills, protecting family wealth, controlling succession and mitigating inheritance tax. We draft clear, robust wills for high-net-worth and international families, ensuring assets pass efficiently and securely under English law.

Inheritance Tax Planning

London inheritance tax planning lawyers advise high-net-worth families on lawful IHT mitigation, trusts, gifting and Will structuring, protecting family wealth and reducing tax exposure. We provide strategic, compliant inheritance tax advice for UK and international estates from Central London.

Probate Administration

Expert probate administration in London for UK and cross-border estates. We manage grants of probate, estate administration, asset collection, tax reporting, and distributions efficiently, supporting executors and beneficiaries with clear advice, discretion, and international expertise throughout England and Wales worldwide.

Speak to a London Trusts Lawyer

If you are considering setting up a trust or require advice on an existing trust, we provide clear, strategic guidance tailored to your personal and financial circumstances.