General Trust Services

Our Trust services provide comprehensive legal support across the full lifecycle of a Trust, from creation and registration through to administration, protection, and eventual dissolution. We advise on and prepare Declarations of Trust, Floating Declarations of Trust, the registration of Land Registry restrictions, HMRC Trust registration, and the orderly winding up of Trusts when they are no longer required. Our approach is designed to offer clarity, legal certainty, and flexibility, ensuring Trusts are structured correctly, comply with regulatory requirements, and continue to meet the needs of all parties involved, while protecting assets and minimising the risk of future disputes.

Most of our services are provided on a fixed-fee basis to keep prices as simple as possible. For non-fixed-fee work, we charge based on the time spent on your matter in accordance with our hourly rates applicable at the time. Depending on the service you select, your case will be managed by our solicitors, case managers, and paralegals and supported by our administrators. Each case is allocated to the most appropriate team member, all of whom have many years of experience. From the outset, it will be made clear who your primary contact will be.

All appointments can be sat via telephone or virtually to suit you. We offer services in multiple languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. If you have hearing loss or a speech impediment, we are happy to take instructions via Relay UK. We welcome all customers and will do our best to accommodate any additional needs you may have.

Stated time frames are based on our receiving full, clear and substantiated instructions. Delays may occur if we need to clarify or review the information we have been given.

Our Services and Fees

Declaration of Trust (Plus Disbursements) £300 (£250 + £50 VAT)

A Declaration of Trust is a legal document used to formally record ownership shares in jointly owned property, protect financial contributions such as purchase or mortgage payments, ensure that Beneficiaries receive the intended share for estate planning purposes, and clarify ownership in investment or business arrangements. The benefits of a Declaration of Trust include helping to prevent disputes between co-owners or heirs, supporting estate and succession planning, and serving as legal evidence if ownership is ever challenged.

Key Stages

Initial consultation and planning, gathering property and financial information and drafting of the Declaration of Trust - 5 working days
Review and amendments - 5 working days
Execution and signing - 2 working days
Register with HM Land Registry. The Land Registry is currently experiencing processing times of approximately 6–9 months for applications. While these timelines are beyond our control, we monitor progress periodically and will keep you informed of any significant updates.

Example Fees

Legal Fees £300 (£250 + £50 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15
Land Registry Office copy £7

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £322 (£272 + £50 VAT)

Floating Declaration of Trust (Plus Disbursements) £540 (£450 + £90 VAT)

A Floating Declaration of Trust is a flexible legal arrangement that records how a property or asset may be owned in the future, without fixing the ownership shares at the outset. Instead, the beneficial interests are determined at a later date, often by reference to circumstances such as contributions made, life events, or a future written notice. It is commonly used by couples or co-owners where financial arrangements may change over time. This approach can help accommodate changing financial contributions, support estate and tax planning, and reduce the risk of disputes by providing a clear framework for how interests will be determined going forward.

Key Stages

Initial consultation and planning, gathering property and financial information and drafting of the Declaration of Trust - 5 working days
Review and amendments - 5 working days
Execution and signing - 2 working days
Register with HM Land Registry. The Land Registry is currently experiencing processing times of approximately 6–9 months for applications. While these timelines are beyond our control, we monitor progress periodically and will keep you informed of any significant updates.

Example Fees

Legal Fees £540 (£450 + £90 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15
Land Registry Office copy £7

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £562 (£472 + £90 VAT)

Registration of Restriction for Declaration of Trust (Plus Disbursements) £180 (£150 + £30 VAT)

The registration of a restriction is the process of placing a formal entry on the Land Registry title to reflect that a Declaration of Trust exists over a property. The restriction does not state the financial details of the Trust, but it ensures that the property cannot be sold, transferred, or mortgaged without the required consent or compliance with the terms of the Trust. This provides transparency and protects the beneficial interests recorded in the Declaration of Trust.

Key Stages

Review of Declaration of Trust and title, preparation of Land Registry application, submission to HM Land Registry - 5 working days
Register with HM Land Registry. The Land Registry is currently experiencing processing times of approximately 6–9 months for applications. While these timelines are beyond our control, we monitor progress periodically and will keep you informed of any significant updates.

Example Fees

Legal Fees £180 (£150 + £30 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15
Land Registry Office copy £7
Land Registry Restriction Fee £20

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £222 (£192 + £30 VAT)

Registration of Trust (Plus Disbursements) £600 (£500 + £100 VAT)

Registering a Trust is the process of formally notifying HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) of the existence of a Trust by adding it to the Trust Registration Service (TRS). Most express trusts, including lifetime Trusts and certain property Trusts, are required to be registered, even where no tax is immediately payable. Registration ensures the Trust complies with legal and regulatory obligations, such as UK anti-money laundering regulations, and avoids potential penalties for non-registration. It allows trustees to properly manage the Trust, deal with banks, solicitors, and other institutions, and demonstrate transparency and legitimacy. Registration also helps ensure the Trust is recognised for tax reporting and ongoing administration purposes.

Key Stages

Review of Trust documentation, gathering Trustee, Settlor, and Beneficiary information, creation or update of HMRC TRS account, submission of Trust Registration to HMRC - 5 working days
HMRC processing and confirmation - 2-4 weeks

Example Fees

Legal Fees £600 (£500 + £100 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15
Land Registry Office copy £7

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £622 (£522 + £100 VAT)

Dissolution of Trust (Plus Disbursements) £1,500 (£1,250 + £250 VAT)

The dissolution of a Trust is the formal process of bringing a Trust to an end once its purpose has been fulfilled or it is no longer required. This involves distributing the Trust assets to the Beneficiaries in accordance with the Trust deed and ensuring all legal, tax, and administrative obligations are correctly completed. Dissolving a Trust allows assets to be released to Beneficiaries, simplifies ongoing administration, and brings legal and financial certainty to all parties. It ensures Trustees are formally discharged from their duties, reduces future compliance and tax reporting obligations, and helps prevent disputes or uncertainty about the Trust's status.

Key Stages

Review of Trust deed and conditions, confirmation of Beneficiary entitlements, valuation and preparation of Trust accounts, settlement of liabilities and tax reporting, distribution of trust assets - 5 working days
Final closure and notifications (HMRC/TRS, if required) - 1–2 weeks

Example Fees

Legal Fees £1,500 (£1,250 + £250 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £1,515 (£1,265 + £250 VAT)

Trust Administration (Plus Disbursements) £1,500 (£1,250 + £250 VAT)

Our Trust Administration Service helps Trustees manage and oversee a Trust in line with the Trust Deed and legal obligations. This includes handling assets, making distributions to beneficiaries, maintaining accounts, ensuring compliance with HMRC reporting, and providing guidance on ongoing Trustee responsibilities. Professional Trust Administration provides legal certainty and transparency, ensuring that assets are correctly managed and distributed in accordance with the Trust's terms. It reduces the risk of errors or disputes, ensures compliance with tax and regulatory requirements, and gives Trustees and Beneficiaries peace of mind that the Trust is being handled responsibly and efficiently.

Key Stages

Review of the Trust Deed and assets, and confirm the Trustees' powers - 1-2 weeks
Valuation and record-keeping of assets - 1-3 weeks
Distribution planning and execution - 2-4 weeks
Accounting and reporting to Beneficiaries - Ongoing/annual
Preparation of any Deeds or Resolutions in line with the Trustees' commitments and or decisions - Ongoing/annual
Reporting to Trustees - Ongoing/annual
HMRC and regulatory compliance - Ongoing / as required
Periodic review and Trustee guidance - Ongoing

Typical overall time frame: Administration is continuous, with key distributions and reporting usually completed within 2-4 weeks per cycle, depending on the complexity of the Trust.

Example Fees where a trust holds a UK bank account and a small investment portfolio of less than £100,000.

Legal Fees £1,500 (£1,250 + £250 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15
Land Registry Office copy £7
Accountant's tax return preparation (if required and dependent on complexity. Quoted separately by the Accountancy firm £480 (£400 + £80 VAT)

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £2,002 (£1672 + £330 VAT)

The fixed fee does not include contentious Trust matters or disputes, complex Trust restructuring or variations, property transactions, the preparation of Trust tax returns unless specifically agreed, or any court applications or litigation. If additional work is required, we will provide a detailed estimate before proceeding.

Trustee Advice Service (Plus Disbursements) £600 (£500 + £100 VAT)

Our Trustee Advice Service provides professional guidance to Trustees on their legal duties, decision-making, and ongoing responsibilities in managing a Trust. We advise on matters such as asset management, distributions, compliance with the Trust deed, tax obligations, and dispute prevention, helping Trustees act confidently and in the best interests of the beneficiaries. Professional Trustee advice ensures decisions are legally compliant and in line with the Trust's terms, reducing the risk of errors, disputes, or liability. It provides Trustees with clarity, confidence, and practical guidance, supports efficient administration, and helps safeguard the interests of all beneficiaries.

Key Stages

Initial consultation and review of Trust deed, assessment of Trustee duties and obligations, advice on asset management and distributions, guidance on tax and regulatory compliance - 5 working days

Support with dispute resolution or complex decisions - 5 working days

Ongoing trustee support and periodic reviews - 5 working days (as and when needed)

Example Fees

Legal Fees £600 (£500 + £100 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15

Land Registry Office copy £7

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £622 (£522 + £100 VAT)