SETTING UP A TRUST – WITH CLARITY AND CARE
Specialist STEP trust solicitor in Minehead, Somerset.
Are you thinking about creating a trust to protect your family, manage inheritance tax, or support a vulnerable beneficiary?
We provide clear, independent advice to help you decide whether a trust is right for your situation.
All trust work is handled personally by Rebecca Padgett TEP, a specialist STEP-qualified solicitor.
Solicitor Rebecca Padgett is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP).
Specialist STEP-qualified advice
Clear guidance in plain English
Fixed-fees, quoted in advance
Is a Trust right for you?
Creating a trust can offer protection, flexibility and peace of mind. However, it is not always the right solution. Trusts involve legal responsibilities, tax considerations and ongoing administration – both during your lifetime and after your death.
Before setting up any trust, we take time to understand your objectives, family circumstances, and concerns. We then explain your options clearly — including alternative approaches — so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Speak to our friendly team:
01643 802 263
enquiries@rjpadgett.co.uk
GET HELP WITH YOUR TRUST
Trust Creation Services
All trust work is handled personally by Rebecca Padgett TEP.
Rebecca advises on a range of trusts. Each one meets different objectives and family circumstances. Below are the main types of trust we help clients create.
Every matter starts with careful advice. This helps you understand how the trust will work in practice. We cover tax, administration, and long-term effects before any drafting takes place.
Trusts in Your Will ›
Advice on including a trust in your Will to protect loved ones or support vulnerable beneficiaries.
Learn more ›
Lifetime Trusts for Disabled or Vulnerable Beneficiaries ›
Creating a trust that protects a disabled or vulnerable beneficiary while safeguarding their long-term financial needs. Learn more ›
Asset and Property Protection Trusts ›
Clear, independent advice on whether an asset protection trust is right for you — and how it would operate in practice. Learn more ›
Creating a Trust in Your Will
Including a trust in your Will can protect loved ones, manage inheritance tax, and support someone who needs extra help.
You might want to pass assets in stages, protect a vulnerable beneficiary, or give someone a right to live in your home after you die.
We give clear advice on Will trusts and help you choose the best option for your situation.
Situations we can help with
Passing on assets to children from a previous relationship and a current partner
You wish to give someone (often a partner) the right to live in your property after you die
You want to leave assets for a vulnerable or disabled beneficiary without affecting benefits
You want to control how and when your children or grandchildren inherit
You’re concerned about protecting assets for future generations
You want to use a trust to support family members in different ways over time
How we can help
A meeting to discuss your wishes, family circumstances and any concerns
Clear explanations of the main types of Will trusts and how they operate
Advice on tax implications and practical considerations in plain English
Drafting the relevant trust provisions within your Will
Preparing a letter of wishes to guide your executors and trustees
Guidance on what will happen after your death and how the trust is administered
Fees & Timeframes
All Will and trust work is done on a fixed-fee basis. We always provide a written service proposal and quote.
Timescales depend on the complexity of your arrangements. Most Wills with trust provisions are completed within 2–3 weeks.
For more details on costs and timescales, see Setting up a Trust Price and Services Information ›
Creating a trust in your Will can give you confidence that your estate will be managed the way you intend.
We’ll help you understand your options clearly, so you can set up the right protections for those you care about.
Speak to our friendly team:
01643 802 263
enquiries@rjpadgett.co.uk
Lifetime Trusts for Disabled or Vulnerable Beneficiaries
A lifetime trust can provide long-term stability and protection for a disabled or vulnerable beneficiary.
It can help manage money safely, safeguard benefits, and ensure that assets are used in the beneficiary’s best interests. Family members can also leave legacies to the trust.
We provide clear, independent advice to help you see if this type of trust suits your family and situation.
Situations we can help with
You want to provide financial security for a disabled or vulnerable family member
You’re planning to buy a property for the beneficiary to live in
You want to ensure their inheritance won’t affect means-tested benefits
You wish to give trustees clear guidance on how the money should be managed
You’re looking for a structured way to add assets to the trust both now and through your Will
How we can help
A meeting to discuss your objectives, family circumstances, and the beneficiary’s needs
Advice on how disabled beneficiary trusts work in practice and how they protect benefits
Clear explanations of trustee responsibilities and how decisions are made
A letter of advice outlining how the trust will operate and what to consider before proceeding
Drafting the trust deed and a letter of wishes to guide the trustees
Guidance on trust registration and what will happen when the beneficiary dies
Fees & Timeframes
All work is done on a fixed-fee basis. We provide a written service proposal and quote provided before we start any work.
For more details on costs and timescales, see Setting up a Trust Price and Services Information ›
Setting up a trust for a disabled beneficiary is a significant and often emotional decision.
We’re here to explain your options and help you put the right plans in place for your loved one’s future.
If you’d like help deciding what to do next, get in touch with our friendly team: 01643 802 263 · enquiries@rjpadgett.co.uk
Speak to our friendly team:
01643 802 263
enquiries@rjpadgett.co.uk
Asset and Property Protection Trusts
Many people want to put their home into a property protection trust (or asset protection trust) during their lifetime to protect their assets.
Sometimes it’s the homeowner’s children who encourage them to do this to protect an inheritance. This is a significant decision. It needs careful consideration of all the factors before proceeding.
We provide clear, balanced advice to help you understand if this type of trust is right for your situation.
Situations we can help with
You’re thinking about placing your home into trust for your children or family
You’ve been told to use an asset protection trust but want regulated independent advice first
You want to understand the tax consequences before making a decision
You’re unsure how the trust would work if you want to move or sell your home at a later date
You want to compare a trust with other options, such as updating your Will
How we can help
A meeting to discuss your objectives and the value of your estate
A review of your property title and any issues affecting transfer into trust
Clear, plain-English advice on tax implications and ongoing responsibilities
A letter of advice detailing how the trust would work and alternatives to consider
Drafting the trust deed and guiding you through signing and completion
Registration of the trust with HMRC if you choose to proceed
Fees & Timeframes
Trust work is done on a fixed-fee basis. We will provide a written service proposal and quote so you can see what it will cost. Consultation and advice usually take 1 to 2 weeks. Drafting the trust typically requires 2 to 3 weeks.
For more details on costs and timescales, see Setting up a Trust Price and Services Information ›
Creating a trust is a significant decision. Our aim is to make the process clear and help you choose the option that truly suits you and your family. All advice is provided on a regulated, fixed-fee basis.
Speak to our friendly team:
01643 802 263
enquiries@rjpadgett.co.uk
Rebecca Padgett is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP).
About Rebecca Padgett
Rebecca Padgett is a solicitor, Chartered Legal Executive and full STEP member with over 18 years’ experience in trust work.
She advises on when a trust is appropriate — and, equally importantly, when it is not. As she often reminds clients, putting assets into trust can be “easy in – difficult out”, so clear advice from the outset is essential.
Trusts carry legal, tax and administrative responsibilities. Rebecca explains these plainly, so you understand how the trust will operate in practice.
As a regulated solicitor, provides independent, professional advice. This ensures your arrangements are well thought out and properly set up from the start.
What is STEP?
STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) is a global professional body for specialists in trusts, estates and inheritance planning.
Full STEP members (TEPs) are recognised experts with proven qualifications and experience in complex trust and estate matters.
Read more on the STEP website ›
TRUSTS FAQs
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What is a trust, in simple terms?
A trust is a legal structure which appoints Trustees to manage assets for trust’s beneficiaries. A trust can hold money, property or investments.
There is a trust deed which specifies who can benefit from the trust and how. The Trustees must abide by the terms of the trust deed.
Why might someone want to set up a trust?
Trusts can be useful in a variety of situations. They can provide flexibility if you have complicated circumstances and can’t decide how to distribute your estate. In this case a discretionary trust in a Will may be a good idea.
You can set up a trust for a vulnerable or disabled beneficiary who needs extra support. This allows you to appoint Trustees to look after the assets for them.
If you have children from a previous relationship, a trust can help you protect your assets for them. For example you can leave your home to your children but give your partner a right to live in it.
You may want to protect some of the value of your family home from assessment for care fees after you die. Where you own your home jointly with your spouse or partner you can protect your half of the home with a life interest trust in your Will. When you die, your half of the house goes into a trust (to ultimately benefit your children) while providing your partner with a right to live in it until their death. If your partner needs to move in to care only their half of the house is assessed, your half is protected by the trust. When your partner passes away the assets in the trust are distributed to the beneficiaries – ie your children.
Can a trust protect me from inheritance tax or care fees?
A trust can help with inheritance tax planning, but simply putting assets into one won’t protect them from inheritance tax assessments. Trusts have their own inheritance tax regime.
Likewise, putting your home into trust does not automatically protect it from care fees. Once assets are held in a trust they are no longer yours; they belong to the trust. A local authority can still examine why you placed the asset in the trust and when you did it.
We provide balanced, regulated advice so you understand exactly what a trust can and cannot do. We charge a fee for this advice as we need to meet with you and carefully consider your individual, specific circumstances.
Our advice can be invaluable; potentially saving thousands of pounds and a great deal of stress by avoiding an unsuitable trust.
How much does it cost to set up a trust?
The cost depends on the type of trust and the work involved, and we always provide a written quote before any work begins. Full details are available here: Setting up a Trust Price and Services Information ›
We provide considered, independent legal advice to help you decide whether a trust is appropriate for your circumstances. All advice is provided on a regulated, fixed-fee basis.
To arrange an appointment, please contact our office:
Call 01643 802 263 Email enquiries@rjpadgett.co.uk
Regulation
R J Padgett Limited is authorised by CILEx Regulation for Probate.
Authorisation number 3002949.
Information Hub
Visit our information hub for more details about our services, including:
• CILEx Regulation Authorisation & the CILEx Regulation Compensation Fund • Professional Indemnity Insurance • Price and services information • Complaints Procedure • Terms of Business • Privacy Notice • Interest Policy
Visit the Information Hub by clicking here ›