Trusts, Estates & Tax: what makes a winning team - Part 5

In October 2023, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Law Society awarded me (Louise Lewis) “Lawyer of the Year” in recognition of my work with my team, with my community and with the legal profession, including my voluntary work with STEP. I was very quick to publish my thoughts to say that this was not my award, but my team’s award and that everything we do, we do as a team. I therefore wanted to take the opportunity this year to showcase the team and to let everyone know about the work that we do.

Next to be profiled is Associate, Sam Redford, below is an example of his work. 

Trust administration for vulnerable individual 

Sam is currently assisting with the handing of a trust established for the benefit of the deceased’s parents’ vulnerable adult daughter. The trust was aimed at safeguarding her well-being and ensuring her long-term financial stability as she has faced significant mental health challenges and had been vulnerable to financial exploitation. 

He has acted for the trustees, playing a crucial role in the administration of the trust and has provided practical and legal support to ensure that it is managed in the best interests of the vulnerable individual. In particular, he has worked with the vulnerable individual and the trustees to ensure that her expenses are being effectively managed and to budget for holidays and private healthcare. 

Sam has worked with the trustees and financial advisors to help provide a structured financial plan to secure her future. This involved reviewing what the trustees could give her from the trust without impacting her state benefits, and also looking at putting together a manageable cashflow. Sam has supported the vulnerable individual in meeting the trustees and financial advisor to encourage her engagement which has resulted in her effectively communicating her needs and has promoted her independence.  

This case underscores the importance of specialised legal support in managing trusts for vulnerable individuals, highlighting how effective administration can significantly enhance the beneficiary’s stability and overall wellbeing.