> Experience > Families and their advisors > Trustees, executors and fiduciaries
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.
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.
We are highly experienced in handling claims against estate administrators. Our leading team can identify any wrongdoing and advise on remedies. We also regularly act for fiduciaries themselves.
Estate planning, wills and successionWhether you wish to protect family assets, navigate cross-border tax issues or benefit a good cause, our private client lawyers will discuss your priorities, advise on options and put a plan in place.
Inheritance, estate and gift taxesWhether your assets are based solely in your home country or spread around the world, we can help with inheritance tax planning so that the authorities do not take more than their fair share.
Court of ProtectionWe are here for you in the difficult situation where someone has lost capacity to take key decisions for themselves, routinely bringing and defending applications in the UK Court of Protection.
Allegations of wrongdoing are extremely concerning for trust beneficiaries, trustees and executors. With long experience of trusts around the world, our lawyers offer smart, practical advice.
Divorce, separation and financesFinancial matters can be one of the most stressful aspects of a separation. Our highly experienced team will set a clear strategy and work hard to achieve the fairest possible arrangements.
Problems with trusteesWhere there are concerns about trustees and other fiduciaries, it is important to act quickly. We advise beneficiaries and trustees on a range of disputes and can help you to get a resolution.
We can help you to identify the right structure to hold your wealth, find the right global location to establish it, and stress-test it robustly so your assets are well protected for the future.
Will, estate and legacy disputesAs one of the only global law firms with a team dedicated purely to succession disputes, we offer families, friends, executors and charities guidance on all manner of challenges to wills.
Wealth structuringWe help individuals, families and their advisors to plan for the future, establishing priorities and finding solutions. And we offer seamless support for those with international interests.
Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore
Partner | London
Partner | London
Partner | New York
Partner | London
Partner | London
Partner | London
Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore
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