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Trusts, foundations and stress testing
Trusts and foundations are useful ways to hold and protect your wealth, especially when you have family members and assets located in different countries.
We establish trusts and family foundations in more than 100 jurisdictions around the world. We also have expertise in using trusts in relation to Sharia law and other legal regimes that restrict the manner in which assets can be disposed.
A personal service
There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach when it comes to the preservation of wealth. If this is something that you would like to consider, our lawyers will listen carefully to your needs and help identify your options. A trust or foundation might be most suitable if you wish to ensure that while your children can enjoy their inheritance, the assets are not split between the different family branches.
We take into account where and in what form your wealth is held, as well as the citizenship/residence of the settlor/founder, trustees, other power holders, directors, administrators and intended beneficiaries. All of this enables us to provide holistic advice in the interests of preserving the wealth for the benefit of you and your family.If and/or when it becomes clear that existing structures no longer suit your goals or when the political situation, treaties, legislation, case law, changing tax regimes or other developments indicate a need for the structure to be reviewed, we can advise on restructuring to ensure that your structures continue to reflect your needs and adapt to the world's ever-changing environments.
Building robust structures
Stress testing trusts and foundations can help to preserve your family fortune, while being tax efficient, ensuring compliance with ever greater regulation and reducing the risk of future litigation.Bringing together global expertise with specialist knowledge of political landscapes, trust structuring, wealth planning, succession disputes and governance, we stress test trusts, foundations and their related corporate structures from the planning stage onward. Our aim is to prevent or minimise difficulties and resulting exposure, with particular regard to the concerns or vulnerabilities of your family.
By understanding your goals and family values, we are able to advise on the best ways to minimise risk of unfavourable outcomes, such as attacks on the structure by fiscal authorities, government bodies, disappointed heirs and divorcing spouses. We aim to simplify and contextualise solutions and help implement unique governance structures, which ensure that your wishes are suitably embedded. We also identify and anticipate existing or potential chinks in the armour of a structure and how best to secure against and minimise unnecessary risks and exposure to potentially costly litigation or damaging political pressure in the future.
Disabled trusts
Disabled trusts are created to look after a disabled person in the event that their main carers are no longer able to meet their care needs, which is an area we have extensive experience in advising families on this kind of structure. Our lawyers will discuss everything from how the trust will be administered to making it more tax-efficient and how payments from a trust might affect entitlement to state benefits.Track record
Recent recognition

The UK "non-dom" regime
"Non-doms" have returned to the political spotlight.
In our series of articles we explore what the UK "non-dom" regime is, what it may look like in the future as a result of potential political change and the alternatives regimes available across the world.
Read our short articles below to find out more.
Our team

Louis R. Piscatelli
Partner | New Haven

Philip Munro
Partner | London

Paul McGrath
Partner | London

Matthew Woods
Partner | London

Mara Monte
Partner | London

Ceri Vokes
Partner | London

Dora Clarke
Partner | London

Natasha Stourton
Partner | London
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Typical clients and industries include

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
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
Trustees, executors and fiduciaries
Even the most experienced advisors will need legal support on complex matters such as cross-border tax queries or third-party claims. We can help you meet your obligations with confidence. Find Out MoreHow else can we help?
We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses. Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.
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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.