Specialist trust and estate planning consultancy
We are specialists in the preparation, establishment, review, management and restructuring of wills and trusts for UK private clients.
We primarily work in conjunction with independent financial advisers and other professional advisers.
Many estate planning arrangements remain in place decades after their establishment, often without clear ongoing oversight. These frequently include trust structures linked to insurance policies or investment products.
We assist in understanding these arrangements and addressing them appropriately — whether through review, variation or termination.
What we do
- Provision of independent professional trustee services
- Preparation of wills and related estate planning documentation
- Review of existing trust and estate planning structures
- Assistance with variation and restructuring of trusts and estates
- Assistance with the administration and termination of trusts
- Support in relation to legacy and historic arrangements
- Assistance to product providers in the development, maintenance and operation of trust and estate planning products
Who we work with
We primarily work with:
- Independent financial advisers
- Solicitors, accountants and investment managers
- Product providers
- Private clients referred by professional advisers
We do not operate a direct-to-consumer sales model and do not seek to replace existing advisory relationships.
We do not act in connection with arrangements intended to avoid care fees means testing or similar schemes.
For further information or to discuss a matter, please contact us.
What we do
We provide specialist input across a range of trust and estate planning matters, with a particular focus on situations requiring technical review and practical understanding.
Our role is often to support existing advisers by providing additional expertise where required.
Approach
Our work is practical and case-specific. We focus on understanding the existing position and identifying appropriate, proportionate steps.
We do not promote standardised solutions or product-led planning.
- Acting as trustee of client structures
- Preparation of wills and related documentation
- Review of existing estate planning arrangements
- Assisting with and implementing changes to trust structures
- Assisting with trust administration issues
- Bringing trust arrangements to an end
- Undertaking or assisting product providers with the development and maintenance of estate planning solutions
Areas of work
Trusteeship services
We act as trustee of new and existing private trusts, including arrangements involving disabled or vulnerable beneficiaries and other sensitive family circumstances. Our role includes both ongoing administration and the exercise of trustee discretions where required.
Wills and estate planning
Preparation and review of wills and related documentation, taking account of individual circumstances and existing arrangements.
Review of existing trusts
Many clients hold trust arrangements that have been in place for a number of years.
We assist in:
- Understanding the structure and purpose of the trust
- Reviewing its current suitability
- Identifying practical and technical issues
Variation and restructuring
Where appropriate, we advise on changes to existing arrangements, including:
- Updating or varying trust terms
- Varying and allocating beneficial interests
- Simplifying structures that have become unnecessarily complex
Legacy and historic arrangements
A significant part of our work involves trust structures established in earlier decades, often in connection with insurance or investment products.
In many cases:
- Original advisers are no longer involved
- Product providers have changed or consolidated
- Documentation may be incomplete or unclear
We assist in understanding these arrangements and determining appropriate next steps.
Trust administration and termination
We provide assistance with:
- Ongoing trust administration
- Bringing trusts to an orderly conclusion
- Practical steps required to wind up arrangements
- Related compliance, including Trust Registration Service (TRS) reporting
Product development and support
We work with insurers, investment houses and other providers in:
- Developing new trust and estate planning solutions
- Maintaining and supporting existing products
- Providing technical and administrative input on historic and legacy products
Working with advisers
We work alongside professional advisers, providing technical input where required.
How we fit in
Our role is to complement, not replace, existing advisory relationships.
We:
- Accept instructions via advisers
- Work collaboratively on specific matters
- Provide input on discrete technical issues or wider reviews
Approach to client relationships
We do not operate a direct marketing model and do not seek to take over ongoing client relationships.
Where appropriate, we remain in the background, supporting the adviser’s role.
Typical scenarios
We are commonly asked to assist where:
- Existing trust arrangements require review
- Historic structures are not fully understood
- Changes are being considered but require technical input
- A matter falls outside the adviser’s usual area of work
Communication
We aim to provide clear, measured input that can be readily incorporated into the adviser’s overall client strategy.
About
The Trust Shop is a specialist trust service provider and consultancy focused on UK trust and estate planning.
Experience
The business draws on extensive practical experience across a wide range of private client planning, including arrangements established by financial institutions and insurers over several decades.
Focus
Our work is focused on:
- Technical understanding
- Practical implementation
- Clear and proportionate outcomes
Positioning
We operate on a deliberately focused basis, working primarily with professional advisers and their clients.
What we are not
We do not provide high-volume, product-led estate planning services and do not promote schemes or arrangements designed to achieve artificial outcomes.