True financial security is built on foresight. At Gibson Kerr, our Trusts & Estate Planning department works with individuals and families to create robust strategies that protect wealth, minimise tax liabilities, and ensure that assets are preserved for future generations. We move beyond simple document preparation to offer comprehensive, long-term legal consultancy tailored to your specific financial landscape.
Strategic Estate Planning
Effective Estate Planning is about more than just deciding who inherits your property; it is about structuring your affairs to protect your hard-earned assets from avoidable erosion. Our solicitors are experts in identifying risks and implementing legal safeguards. This includes proactive Tax Planning and specialised strategies for Inheritance Tax mitigation. By utilising legal exemptions and structured gifting, we can often significantly reduce the tax burden on your estate, ensuring more of your wealth passes to your chosen beneficiaries.
As we live longer, the Cost of care in later life has become a primary concern for many families. We provide strategic advice on how to plan for these costs while protecting your family home and savings. We help you navigate the complex interface between local authority funding and private assets, ensuring you are fully informed of your rights and obligations.
The Power of Trusts
Trusts are one of the most versatile tools in Scottish law for protecting assets and managing family wealth. A trust allows you to set aside assets for the benefit of specific individuals, managed by “trustees” according to your precise instructions. This can be particularly useful for:
- Protecting assets for young children or vulnerable adults.
- Ring-fencing funds for specific purposes, such as education.
- Ensuring that assets stay within the family in the event of a beneficiary’s divorce or bankruptcy.
Whether you are looking to establish a new trust, require assistance with the ongoing administration of an existing trust, or are a beneficiary seeking advice on your rights, our team provides the technical expertise required. We ensure that trustees understand their fiduciary duties and that the trust remains compliant with evolving tax legislation.
Resolving Complex Disputes
Even the most carefully laid plans can occasionally face challenges. We provide specialist support in matters of Inheritance & Capacity Disputes. Disagreements over the management of a trust, the behaviour of trustees, or the interpretation of a trust deed require a nuanced legal approach. We prioritise constructive resolution, aiming to settle disputes through negotiation and mediation wherever possible to protect family relationships and preserve the trust’s assets.
At Gibson Kerr, our approach to Trusts & Estate Planning is holistic. We look at the “big picture” of your life – your business interests, your family obligations, and your long-term goals. By combining technical legal mastery with a deep understanding of our clients’ needs, we build lasting structures that provide peace of mind for you today and a secure legacy for your family tomorrow.
