Secure Your Assets for Future Generations
Expert Advice on Setting Up and Managing Trusts
Safeguard your assets and provide for your loved ones with expert advice on trusts and estate planning
Trusts
Trusts can be established for a variety of reasons, such as tax planning, protecting assets for future generations, blended families or safeguarding the interests of a disabled relative. They can be created during a person’s lifetime or through their Will on death.
There are many different types of trusts and our expert team at Beers will be able to talk through the different options available in order to find the best solution for you and your family. The flexibility offered by trusts means they are a useful tool in estate planning for business owners or those with agricultural interests.
Trusts can be complex depending on the type and terms and we are here to provide advice and support for all stages whether to trustees themselves or beneficiaries. We can advise on all aspects of setting up, managing, and bringing trusts to an end, including all the administrative requirements involved such as HMRC’s Trust Registration Service.
Trusts are legal entities that can help protect assets for your beneficiaries. They can be used in your Will to help you plan what should happen to your estate after your death or they can be set up during your lifetime.
Declarations of Trust
You may also wish to use a trust to safeguard funds lent to children to purchase a property or as a couple contributing different amounts. These are known as Declarations of Trust and can help reference each party’s share of the property, setting out in black and white what would happen should there be a breakdown of the relationship in the future.
Estate Planning
Whilst Inheritance Tax may only affect a small number of families, it is important to seek advice as there may be simple ways to mitigate a potential tax liability. We regularly meet with our clients to review their ongoing tax position to ensure that their financial circumstances are set up in the best way possible to take advantage of the various reliefs and exemptions. We make sure that we set out all the possibilities to our clients so that they can make informed decisions about their estate and any potential tax liability for the benefit of their loved ones.
While we are confident in handling tribunal claims our focus is on problem resolution that does not result in ET claims.
Meet The Trusts and Estate Planning Team
Zoë Le Fort
Partner & Head of Private Client
Kingsbridge: 01548 857000
Zoë Le Fort
Zoë is Head of our Private Client Department and joined Beers initially as a locum solicitor in August 2021, having relocated from a firm in Hampshire where she was an equity Partner.
Zoë specialises in advising clients on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Administration of Estates, creation and administration of Trusts, Court of Protection and general tax advice. As a fully qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE)), she is able to advise clients on all aspects of their personal lifetime planning and tax queries, including protection for the more vulnerable and elderly clients.
Zoë has over thirteen years’ experience dealing with administration of estates and has advised on hundreds of probate and estate matters since qualifying. She is happy to see clients either in the office or in their homes, to ensure the process is as comfortable as possible for them.
Away from work Zoë can be found with her husband working on their 17th Century North Cornish cottage renovation project.
Michael Le Fort
Partner and Higher Rights Solicitor
Michael Le Fort
Michael started his career outside law when he worked for his family business manufacturing and supplying cosmetics and fragrances to the likes of Superdrug, Tesco and New Look. However, nail polish colours were not for him, and he left the business and qualified as a Barrister. He worked as a Barrister for several years specialising in family law in particular financial remedies and public law matters, civil litigation, contract matters, personal insolvency and crime. He remains a member of Middle Temple and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly).
He later cross qualified as a Solicitor and was awarded higher rights of audience by the Law Society. He has spent most of his career acting in divorce, children law and private client work and has been head of three private client departments and so is well versed in all aspects of private client work.
Michael specialises in advising clients in the preparation of new Wills and in reviewing existing Wills both for individuals and couples. He also deals with the question of succession planning which includes advising on Inheritance Tax, Agricultural Property Relief, Business reliefs and Capital Gains Tax issues with a view to helping you think about ways in which tax after death can be mitigated as far as possible. He advises on and prepares Lasting Powers of Attorney and deals with the registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney, this also includes Court of Protection matters including deputy applications. He advises clients in estate administration, deeds of variation and Trust matters. Michael also deals with cases with a more contentious element when necessary. His wide experience of different areas of law and of the Court process allows Michael to bring a different and pragmatic approach to any issue that may arise.
Anna Zdanowska
Solicitor
Plymouth: 01752 246000
Anna Zdanowska
Anna qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 after completing her law degree at Plymouth University and her LPC at Exeter University. Initially specialising in family law at a high street firm, she has since spent the majority of her career working in the local branch of a national firm dealing with residential conveyancing, private client and specialised employment work. She returned to private client work in 2023 and joined Beers in 2025.
Anna holds a STEP Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation and specialises in advising clients in relation to Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, administration of estates, and estate planning. She is happy to see clients either at their homes or in the office.
In her spare time, Anna runs a tae kwon-do club and regularly officiates at local and national tournaments.
Kate Shute
Associate Member of CILEx
Kingsbridge: 01548 857000
Kate Shute
Kate joined Beers in July 2000 as an office assistant following her graduation from Agricultural College. Since joining Beers, she has progressed through the ranks and has been part of the Private Client team since 2002. She is a valued and trusted member of the team. Kate continued her education with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) and became an Associate Member of CILEX in 2012. Kate is also a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly).
Kate currently deals with all aspects of private client work to include Administration of Estates and Trusts, preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, registration of Enduring Powers of Attorneys, applications for Deputy Orders and management of clients’ financial affairs. This includes dealing with clients’ day to day finances, arranging payment of their bills and household expenses, settling their tax position and ensuring that their investments are properly managed.
