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> Experience > Families and their advisors > Trustees, executors and fiduciaries

Trustees, executors and fiduciaries

Even the most experienced advisors will need legal support on occasion – particularly when dealing with complex issues such as cross-border tax queries or claims brought by third parties. We are here to help you meet your obligations with confidence.

It's a great honor and responsibility to be entrusted to manage and dispense wealth on behalf of others.  As the rules regarding investments, accounting and taxes get ever more complex, it's vital that you understand what powers and responsibilities you do or don't have.

This is particularly critical when interests in multiple jurisdictions around the world are involved, as hasty decisions can trigger punitive tax consequences which could otherwise be prevented.

Global experience

We have acted for many generations of executors and trustees and our team is available to guide you through the different rules and decisions you must deal with.  With 17 offices globally, we are particularly skilled on cross-border matters involving complex questions of tax, as well as advising trustees and executors on claims brought against them by beneficiaries or third parties.

Given your fiduciary duty to the trust’s or the estate’s beneficiaries, you may be particularly vulnerable to claims of breach of duty, and in certain circumstances, this can lead to personal exposure to a claim.  We help manage risk for a wide cross-section of trustee clients.  We act in ‘friendly’ disputes, where the court simply gives guidance on how best to resolve a particular trust or estate problem; but if the matter cannot be sorted out or the parties are ‘hostile’, we prosecute or defend on behalf of our client as necessary.

Our in-house trust corporation, WITCO, has a full-time team who can act as executor or trustee for UK wills and trusts, and we have extensive contacts throughout the onshore and offshore world of trust management.

How we can help

Track record

Our team

Kwong Wing Leon

Kwong Wing Leon

Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore

Kwong Wing Leon

Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore

Private client and tax

Michael Gouriet

Michael Gouriet

Partner | London

Michael Gouriet

Partner | London

Divorce and family

Philip Munro

Philip Munro

Partner | London

Philip Munro

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Mark G. Holden

Mark G. Holden

Partner | New York

Mark G. Holden

Partner | New York

Private client and tax

Patricia Milner

Patricia Milner

Partner | London

Patricia Milner

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Stephen Richards

Stephen Richards

Partner | London

Stephen Richards

Partner | London

Trust, estate and inheritance disputes

Stephen Nerland

Stephen Nerland

Partner | London

Stephen Nerland

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Stacy Choong

Stacy Choong

Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore

Stacy Choong

Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore

Private client and tax

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Typical clients and industries include

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Beneficiaries and heirs

Whatever you have inherited, and wherever it is in the world, our leading team of lawyers can help you to protect the value of the asset, manage the tax implications and resolving any disputes. Find Out More
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Families and family offices

Families call on us when they want a firm that understands their needs – whether they are looking to pass down wealth, set up and run a family office, or make their mark through philanthropy. Find Out More
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High net worth individuals

With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out More

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Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

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