Trust Flexibility

We often use trusts alongside Modern Wills and Letters of Wishes to make death benefits more secure and certain for families. But trusts can also bring real, living benefits – providing flexibility, creativity, and even emotional healing during a lifetime.

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Allow me to share one such story.

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A Tale of Two Brothers – and a Trust That Changed Everything

Tom and Harry were two brothers who had both inherited significant wealth from their late father. Among the family’s assets was a beautiful home in Dorset, held in a family trust and intended to be shared among them.

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The house was one of the seven in an idyllic coastal setting – the kind of place where memories are made. But over time, what was meant to bring joy instead became a source of tension.

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Tom, a hard-working farmer, could rarely plan his weekends in advance, while Harry’s family often seemed to occupy the house whenever Tom was free. The trust that was supposed to unite them was, sadly, pulling them apart.

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The New Opportunity

One day, Tom called me with a spark of hope in his voice. He had found another stunning property nearby – a hidden gem worth around £500,000, being sold for just £350,000. It felt like the chance of a lifetime.

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The question was: could he use his existing gifting trust to make it happen?

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Tom’s trust had originally been set up to help with his grandchildren’s education. After paying school fees, about £135,000 remained – not nearly enough to buy the property outright. Still, the trust represented something far more valuable: flexibility.

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The Power of Creative Planning

Working with our professional panel, I proposed a solution.

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“Tom,” I said, “why not ask Harry to loan you £175,000 – just until the end of the process?”

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To Tom’s surprise, Harry agreed. Together with the funds in the trust and a small personal contribution, Tom’s family trust purchased the property.

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Once the transfer was complete, Harry’s loan was written off – a calculated value for Tom to give up his family's interest in the shared trust with Harry.

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The results?

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Two families, two homes – and finally, peace.

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A Happy Ending

Harry’s estate benefitted from an inheritance tax reduction due to the gift.

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Tom’s family gained their dream holiday home – a place that brought smiles, laughter, and the joy of spontaneous weekends together.

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Most importantly, the long-standing tension between the brothers melted away.

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What had started as an educational trust had transformed into a source of harmony, happiness, and peace of mind.

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It was a perfect example of how the flexibility of modern trusts can adapt to real life – meeting family needs not just in financial terms, but in emotional ones too.

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Because at the heart of every good trust lies not just wealth management – but family well-being.

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Would Your Clients Like to Explore the Benefits of a Trust?

If this story resonates, imagine what could be achieved for your clients.

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A well-structured trust can do far more than protect assets – it can bring families together, unlock opportunities, and provide lasting peace of mind.

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To explore how flexible trust planning could benefit your clients, get in touch with our team today.