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Trusts, foundations and stress testing lawyers
Trusts and foundations are useful ways to hold and protect your wealth, especially when you have family members and assets located in different countries.
We establish trusts and family foundations in more than 100 jurisdictions around the world. We also have expertise in using trusts in relation to Sharia law and other legal regimes that restrict how assets can be disposed of.A personal service
There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach when it comes to the preservation of wealth. If this is something that you would like to consider, our team of family trust and foundation lawyers will listen carefully to your needs and help identify your options. A trust or foundation might be most suitable if you wish to ensure that while your children can enjoy their inheritance, the assets are not split between the different family branches.
We take into account where and in what form your wealth is held, as well as the citizenship/residence of the settlor/founder, trustees, other power holders, directors, administrators and intended beneficiaries. All of this enables us to provide holistic advice in the interests of preserving the wealth for the benefit of you and your family.
As part of a trusts law firm, our solicitors can advise on restructuring to ensure that your structures continue to reflect your needs and adapt to the world's ever-changing environments. This applies if/when it becomes clear that existing structures no longer suit your goals or when the political situation, treaties, legislation, case law, changing tax regimes or other developments indicate a need for the structure to be reviewed.
Building robust structures
Stress testing trusts and foundations can help to preserve your family fortune, while being tax efficient, ensuring compliance with ever greater regulation and reducing the risk of future litigation.Bringing together global expertise with specialist knowledge of political landscapes, trust structuring, wealth planning, succession disputes and governance, our trusts lawyers stress test trusts, foundations and their related corporate structures from the planning stage onward. We aim to prevent or minimise difficulties and resulting exposure, with particular regard to the concerns or vulnerabilities of your family.
By understanding your goals and family values, your trusts lawyer at Withers is able to advise on the best ways to minimise the risk of unfavourable outcomes, such as attacks on the structure by fiscal authorities, government bodies, disappointed heirs and divorcing spouses.
We aim to simplify and contextualise solutions and help implement unique governance structures, which ensure that your wishes are suitably embedded. We also identify and anticipate existing or potential chinks in the armour of a structure and how best to secure against and minimise unnecessary risks and exposure to potentially costly litigation or damaging political pressure in the future.
Disabled trusts
Disabled trusts are created to look after a disabled person in the event that their main carers are no longer able to meet their care needs, which is an area we have extensive experience in advising families on this kind of structure. Our trust solicitors will discuss everything from how the trust will be administered to making it more tax-efficient and how payments from a trust might affect entitlement to state benefits.Abolishing the UK non-dom regime – what are your options in the UK and globally?
The decision from the current UK government to abolish the existing regime and promises made by the opposition to do the same has left many of you with questions and uncertainty. What does the future hold and what actions can you take now?
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Louis R. Piscatelli
Partner | New Haven
Philip Munro
Partner | London
Paul McGrath
Partner | London
Matthew Woods
Partner | London
Mara Monte
Partner | London
Ceri Vokes
Partner | London
Dora Clarke
Partner | London
Natasha Stourton
Partner | London
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Typical clients and industries include
Families and family offices
Families call on us when they want a firm that understands their needs – whether they are looking to pass down wealth, set up and run a family office, or make their mark through philanthropy. Find Out MoreHigh net worth individuals
With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out MoreTrustees, executors and fiduciaries
Even the most experienced advisors will need legal support on complex matters such as cross-border tax queries or third-party claims. We can help you meet your obligations with confidence. Find Out MoreHow else can we help?
We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses. Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.
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