Most people don't need a trust
Some situations genuinely call for one. Most don’t.
Trusts are often misunderstood
Trusts are one of the most misunderstood things in estate planning.
You may have heard a trust can avoid inheritance tax. Or protect your home from care fees. Or solve every estate planning problem you have ever had.
It can’t. And anyone telling you otherwise is usually selling you something.
What a trust actually does is hold an asset for someone, under specific conditions, for a specific reason. In the right situation, it’s the right tool for the job. In the wrong situation, it’s expensive, complicated, and very difficult to undo once it’s in place.
That’s where we come in. We won’t suggest a trust unless it’s genuinely the right answer for you. If something simpler will do the same job, that’s what we will recommend. And if you don’t need one at all, we will tell you that too.
How we can help you with Will Trusts
We don't start with the product. We start with what you are trying to achieve. Then we find the simplest way to get there.
01
Understand what you are trying to protect
Your family, your assets, your home, your business, your specific concerns. No two estates are the same, and no plan worth signing is built without understanding the person signing it.
02
Identify what actually needs to be in place
Most people don’t need every product. We tell you what you genuinely need, what you don’t, and why. You will have clarity before you commit to anything.
03
Put the plan in place, properly.
We handle the drafting, the signing, the witnessing, the storage. Every clause is written knowing exactly how it will play out for your family.
What the process looks like
The process is designed to be straightforward and low pressure, because writing your Will should feel like a weight off your shoulders, not another job on the list.
01
A free, no-obligation consultation
A no-obligation consultation, in person, over the phone, or by video call. You tell us about your situation. We listen, and help you understand what you might need (and what you might not).
02
We tell you what you need
We give you a clear recommendation. What should be in place, why, and how much it will cost. If you already have something in place that works, we will tell you that too.
03
We draft your Will
We prepare your Will and any Trusts or supporting documents that are required. Every clause is written with the practical consequences in mind, not just the legal ones.
04
Your signing meeting
We walk you through the Will and any Trust details before you sign, making sure you understand every section of it. Then we handle the witnessing properly so that everything is legally binding.
05
Document storage
Once your Will is in place, you need to store it securely. Just ask us during the signing meeting and we can provide Will storage.
06
Reviewing your Will
When life changes, your Will should change too. Having a child, buying a house, getting married, receiving inheritance. We are here to update or review your Will whenever you need us.
Is a trust the right answer? We will help you figure that out.
Not every situation needs a trust, but we will work through your situation to understand if one is needed. Trusts can be complicated so if there is a simpler option we will recommend that.
You have a vulnerable or disabled beneficiary who couldn't manage a lump sum inheritance
You have a child or family member dealing with financial difficulty, addiction, or significant debt
You are in a blended family and want to be sure your children's inheritance isn't lost if your partner remarries
You are an unmarried couple and want to be sure the survivor can stay in the home
You own a business or agricultural assets that need a structured succession plan
You want a specific asset to reach a specific person under specific conditions
What Clients Have to Say
Elwyn & Mabel were able to act quickly to put my Will in place and explained everything clearly. I appreciate the options I was given and the solutions offered also. Would highly recommend.
EMMA REED
With regards to estate planning, Elwyn & Mabel really know what they are talking about and spend time with you to make sure you understand the documentation. Thoroughly recommend.
STUART CAIRNCROSS
I reached out to Elwyn & Mabel Estate Planning as I wanted to check that our Wills were up to date and to do some Lasting Powers of Attorney. I gound that everything was explained to me very clearly and professionally, and the process was very straight forward. I would highly recommend Elwyn & Mabel Estate Planning to my friends and family.
GLENDA KINSEY
The Elwyn & Mabel team have been absolutely brilliant in helpgin myself and several family members with Wills. They are extremely efficient and work to resolve matters as quickly as possible. I would highly recommend Elwyn & Mabel Estate Planning, simply brilliant.
mike williams
Will Trusts FAQs
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Book a free call and we will answer any question you have.
Can a trust help me avoid inheritance tax?
No. This is the most persistent myth in the industry, and it’s important to be clear: a Will trust cannot help you avoid inheritance tax. Anyone telling you a trust will avoid inheritance tax is not giving you the full picture, and is recommending it to upsell you.
Can a trust protect my home from care fees?
No. Will trusts cannot shelter your home from care home fees. Anyone telling you otherwise should be questioned carefully. There are specific planning steps that can sometimes help in this area, but a Will trust on its own is not the answer.
When does a Will trust come into effect?
When you die. A Will trust is part of your Will, and only activates at the point your Will takes effect. It doesn’t do anything during your lifetime. This is the key difference between a Will trust and a lifetime trust, which is set up while you are still alive. We don’t offer lifetime trusts.
What does a trust cost?
This depends on the type of trust and the specific circumstances of the trust. Before you proceed we will always outline the costs so there are no surprises.
What ongoing obligations does a trust create?
A trust is not set and forget. Once it’s in place, the trustees are responsible for annual accounting, reporting to HMRC, and managing the trust in line with the letter of wishes. There can also be entry, anniversary, and exit charges. We explain all of this in detail before you decide whether to go ahead.
I already have a trust and I'm not sure about it. Can you help?
Often, yes. Many people come to us with trusts that were set up by another firm without the full picture being explained. We can review yours, tell you honestly what it does, what it’s costing you, and whether it’s still doing what it was meant to. Some trusts are very difficult to unwind once they are established. We will be honest about that too.
Find out what your family needs you to put in place.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. We will talk about your family, and what you would like to put in place. We will walk you through your options in plain English. No paperwork. No pressure.
Download the Estate Planning Guide.
Take your time. The guide walks you through your options, and what the process actually looks like, at your own pace and on your own terms.