This On Demand was recorded on 23 June 2026.
Trusts are a useful vehicle for managing assets in the blended family context, and preventing estate claims on death. However, careful attention must be given to the terms of a trust being established in this context, as bespoke drafting will almost always be necessary.
This On Demand will consider key aspects of drafting for you and your clients to consider when settling a trust in the blended family context. In particular, it will address structuring beneficiaries (particularly where there are children from multiple relationships), memoranda of wishes (including the status of later wishes from only one settlor), powers to appoint and remove trustees and discretionary beneficiaries (and what happens to these powers on the death or incapacity of one settlor), and independent trustee requirements.
