Family Asset Protection Trusts in Norfolk (Living Trusts)
A Family Asset Protection Trust – often called a Living Trust – lets you place assets such as your home, savings, and investments into a trust during your lifetime. You keep control via the trustees you choose, and you decide how and when your beneficiaries should receive support – both now and in the future.
Why families choose a Living Trust
Protects your home & assets – Ring-fence your share for your chosen beneficiaries and help avoid “sideways disinheritance” if a surviving partner later remarries or co-habits.
Keep control & flexibility – You choose the trustees and your instructions. While you have capacity, you can still live in your home, spend your money, and update your wishes.
Quicker access than probate – Assets held in a trust can often be managed without waiting for a Grant of Probate, helping loved ones access support sooner.
Plan tax-efficiently – Use a trust alongside your Will and inheritance-tax planning so more of your estate reaches the people you care about.
Important: Trusts must be set up for genuine estate-planning reasons, not to deliberately avoid care fees. We’ll guide you on best practice and refer to a solicitor for reserved legal work.
What is a Family Asset Protection Trust?
A Living Trust is a legal arrangement that becomes effective while you are alive. You move assets into the trust and appoint trustees (often including yourselves) to manage those assets for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries. It sits alongside your Will and complements your Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure full protection throughout your lifetime.
What can go into the trust?
Your home (sole or joint share)
Savings and cash deposits
Investments and certain policies
Other suitable personal assets
We’ll explain what’s suitable, timing, and any lender/land-registry requirements for property.
Who a Living Trust helps
Couples wanting to protect each partner’s share of the home for children
Families who want assets to stay in the bloodline (not diverted by remarriage or divorce)
People who want trustee support for beneficiaries with special needs or money-management challenges
Anyone who’d like assets to be managed without probate delays where appropriate
How it works
All reserved legal work is carried out by Rebecca Sharwood (Sterling Private Client), an SRA-regulated solicitor. Norfolk Wills & Estate Planning acts as an Introducer; legal advice for reserved activity is provided by the solicitor.
1
Free consultation
We discuss goals, your assets and family, and explain options in plain English.
2
Tailored drafting
A solicitor drafts trust documents and deals with any transfers or registrations.
3
Ongoing support
You keep control while you have capacity. Trustees follow your instructions to support beneficiaries when needed.
Key benefits at a glance
Help protect your share for children and future generations
Avoid “sideways disinheritance” after a survivor remarries or co-habits
Possible tax efficiencies when combined with sound inheritance-tax planning
Potential quicker access to support than waiting for probate on trust assets
Clear trustee control if you later lose capacity, working alongside a Lasting Power of Attorney
You can also combine your Family Asset Protection Trust with a Will Trust for extra control and clarity over how your estate is distributed.
A trust is not a way to hide assets from means testing. We’ll explain the deprivation-of-assets rules and when a trust is or isn’t appropriate.
Why choose us
Expert guidance – Estate-planning specialists with clear, friendly advice.
Transparent fees – Fixed, upfront quotes for the full process.
Free home visits – Evening appointments across Norfolk.
Trusted & protected – Over 6,000 documents prepared; £2m professional indemnity.
Protect your family’s future with a Living Trust
Don’t leave things to chance. Book your free home consultation today and we’ll explain your options in plain English.
Faqs
A Living Trust is effective during your lifetime and can provide managed support before and after death. A Will only takes effect after death and doesn’t control how assets are used while you’re alive.
Yes. In a typical arrangement you remain the occupant and the trust holds legal title. We’ll explain how this works and any lender or Land Registry steps.
A trust can be part of a wider IHT strategy but is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We’ll review allowances, gifting rules and, where needed, coordinate tax advice.
Trusts must have genuine estate-planning purposes. Creating a trust primarily to avoid care fees can be challenged as deprivation of assets. We’ll advise what’s appropriate.
You choose trustees (often including yourselves) and set clear instructions. If you later lose capacity, trustees can follow those instructions to support beneficiaries.
Commonly: your home (or share), savings, and certain investments/policies. We’ll confirm suitability and any steps required for transfers.
Most Living Trusts are drafted and executed within 2–4 weeks, depending on complexity and third-party timescales.
Yes—within the rules of the trust. We’ll design your trust to be flexible where appropriate and explain how updates work.
Yes. Your Will covers anything outside the trust and appoints guardians/executors. Lasting Powers of Attorney cover decisions if you lose capacity.
Yes—free home visits across Norfolk including Norwich, King’s Lynn, Dereham, Great Yarmouth, Thetford and surrounding towns and villages.
Looking for wider estate planning support? Explore our Wills and Testaments, Will Trusts, and Inheritance Tax Planning services.