In law, adopted children are regarded as having been born to their adoptive parents. The Family Division of the High Court recently considered whether that fact precluded a parental order being granted under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008...
We have long experience of advising on Trusts, both in relation to existing Trusts and creating new Trusts, whether in our client’s lifetimes or in their Wills.
A Trust is an arrangement whereby the Trustees (who are the legal owners of the property) hold property for the benefit of specified people (the beneficiaries).
Creating a Trust in your Will or in your lifetime is a way of giving money to the people you want to have it, while at the same time making sure that it is looked after by the people you choose to be Trustees who can then let the beneficiaries have income or capital in a controlled way in accordance with your wishes.
If you create a lifetime Trust, depending on its terms you can usually be a Trustee yourself so that you are one of the people who can make decisions.
The Trustees have a legal duty to manage the assets properly for the benefit of the beneficiaries.
We are experienced in advising whether or not a Trust is appropriate in your situation, and we can give you as much or as little help as you want with setting up and running the Trust and bringing it to an end.
It is important that you get the right tax advice whether you are a person intending to create a Trust or you are a Trustee, and we can help with that.
Whatever your reason for needing a Trust, we can advise you on Discretionary Trusts, Immediate Post Death Interest Trusts, Interest in Possession Trusts and Settlor Interested Trusts.