Hunter
Legal Services

Hunter Legal Services · Service

Trusts & Inheritance Tax Planning

Protecting your estate for generations to come — from care home fees, divorce, and inheritance tax.

Overview

Protecting what matters most

By making a will, our clients ensure that their assets pass to their loved ones when they die. But what if they have to pay for care before they die? And what happens when their assets form part of the beneficiaries' estates? Will these assets be protected against divorce, debts and many other threats?

Proper trust planning can ensure that your family and loved ones will benefit completely from your estate for generations to come. At Hunter Legal Services, we specialise in creating the right trust structure for your individual circumstances — whether that is a property protection trust, a lifetime trust, or a will trust.

40%IHT rate above the nil-rate band
£325kCurrent nil-rate band threshold
2012Serving clients across Scotland

Types of trust

Property Protection Trust

Designed to protect the family home after first death so it cannot be used to pay for care fees or be at risk if the surviving spouse re-marries. The surviving spouse retains the use of the property during their lifetime, and when they die, the beneficiaries become completely entitled to the property.

Lifetime / Probate Trust

Created during your lifetime, a lifetime trust can protect assets like the family home against care fees or future divorce settlements before you die. It can also help avoid probate delays, meaning your loved ones will have access to the trust assets when they are most needed.

Will Trust

A Will Trust is created within your will and comes into effect on your death. It allows you to control how your assets are managed and distributed after you die — for example, providing for a surviving spouse while protecting the remainder for your children.

Discretionary Trust

Gives trustees the flexibility to decide how and when to distribute assets among a class of beneficiaries. Particularly useful for protecting assets for vulnerable beneficiaries or where family circumstances may change over time.

What we do

Our team works with you to understand your estate, your family circumstances, and your wishes — then recommends the most appropriate trust structure to protect your assets and minimise your tax liability.

Property protection trust drafting
Lifetime and probate trust creation
Will trust planning and drafting
Inheritance tax threshold planning
Nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band advice
Gifts, exemptions and reliefs
Business and agricultural property relief
Trust administration and trustee guidance
Bloodline protection planning
Care home fee protection strategies

Our process

01

Free consultation

A meeting with one of our Legal professionals where we will listen to your situation, explain your options, and answer any questions with no obligation or charge.

02

Estate review

We carry out a thorough review of your assets, family circumstances, and any existing wills or trusts to identify the best approach for your situation.

03

Trust design

We recommend the most appropriate trust structure and explain exactly how it will work, what it will protect, and what your obligations as settlor will be.

04

Drafting

Our team drafts the trust deed and any supporting documents, explaining every clause in plain English before you sign.

05

Execution

We guide you through the signing and witnessing process to ensure your trust is legally valid and properly executed.

06

Ongoing support

We remain available to advise on trust administration, changes in circumstances, and any future estate planning needs.

Pricing

Fixed fees agreed in advance — no hidden costs. All prices include a free initial consultation.

Property Protection Trust

From £995

Protect the family home after first death from care fees and re-marriage risk.

  • Free initial consultation
  • Full trust deed drafting
  • Trustee guidance included
  • Registered at Companies House SC869915
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Most popular

Lifetime / Probate Trust

From £2,195

Protect assets during your lifetime from care fees, divorce, and probate delays.

  • Free initial consultation
  • Full trust deed drafting
  • Asset transfer guidance
  • Ongoing trustee support
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Prices are indicative. Your exact fee will be confirmed at your free consultation based on the complexity of your estate.

Frequently asked questions

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Ready to protect your estate?

Speak to one of our Legal professionals today. Your free, no-obligation consultation is the first step to securing your family's future.