Trustees have a duty to ensure that a trust is effectively managed on an ongoing basis. They must act in accordance with the terms of the trust, and ensure that the compliance aspects relating to trusts are dealt with properly.

If they don’t, they could face personal liability.

If you are a trustee, or are considering acting as one, we can help with:

• advising in relation to trustees’ powers and duties
• assisting with the preparation of trust accounts, inheritance tax returns and annual income/capital gains tax returns 
• preparing any deeds or resolutions that may be required, for example on the distribution of assets to beneficiaries, on a change of trustee, or to bring a trust to an end  
• advising on what trustees need to do as a result of changes in the law
• reviewing and advising on the terms of any existing trusts and the powers that the trustees have 
• advising on the tax consequences of any actions taken in relation to the distribution of assets within trusts to beneficiaries 
• facilitating trustee meetings and preparing minutes of meetings
• acting as professional trustees alongside, or instead of, other trustees
  

If you are the beneficiary of a trust you can also call on our experience to advise in relation to your entitlement to assets and other information (eg. trust accounts and meeting minutes).

If you would like further information, please contact Philip Ragget or any member of our team.