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Cromwell Associates

Trusts & Legacy

Trust planning for children and vulnerable beneficiaries

Holding assets for someone who should not, or cannot, receive them outright.

How and when a young beneficiary receives money depends entirely on the arrangement used. Under a bare trust in England and Wales the beneficiary is entitled to the assets at eighteen and can call for them then. Other structures — a discretionary trust, or a will trust drafted for the purpose — can allow trustees to release capital in stages, or at an age you choose, rather than in one payment on a birthday.

Where a beneficiary is vulnerable, the interaction with any means-tested support they receive is usually the central question, and it needs specialist review before anything is signed rather than afterwards.

Things worth considering

  • The age and manner of access depend on the type of trust chosen, not on trusts in general
  • Interaction with means-tested support requires specialist review
  • Trustees may need to act for many years, so appointments and succession matter

Enquire about trust planning for children and vulnerable beneficiaries

Tell us what you would like to protect or resolve. One named contact will read your enquiry personally and come back to you.

  • One dedicated point of contact
  • No call centres
  • Introductions handled discreetly
  • Serving Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey and the Isle of Wight

Cromwell Associates coordinates enquiries and introduces clients to appropriately qualified specialists. We do not provide regulated financial, legal or tax advice, and submitting this form places you under no obligation.

Your enquiry is reviewed personally before any introduction is made.

Please do not send medical details, account numbers or other sensitive information. Cromwell Associates is an enquiry and introduction service: it does not give advice, recommend policies or arrange cover. Insurance introductions are passed on by hand to a suitable specialist, and other services to an appropriate partner. Cromwell Associates may receive a referral payment if you go on to use a service.