What Should You Put Into a Trust? A Guide from Complete Estate Protection

At Complete Estate Protection, we work with families across Middlesbrough and the North East to ensure their assets are protected and passed on according to their wishes. One of the most effective estate planning tools available today is a trust—but many people are unsure what they should actually place into one.

If you’re considering setting up a trust, here’s a straightforward guide to help you understand what types of assets you might include—and why.

Why Use a Trust?

Trusts are legal arrangements that allow you to pass on assets while retaining control over how and when they’re distributed. They can be used to:

• Protect assets from care home fees or creditors
• Minimise inheritance tax
• Safeguard inheritance for children or vulnerable beneficiaries
• Avoid probate delays and costs
• Maintain privacy after death

But not everything needs to go into a trust—and not everything should. Let’s explore what makes sense to include.

Common Assets to Place Into a Trust

1. Property

Your home is often your biggest asset. Placing your property (or a share of it) into a trust can help:

• Protect it from being sold to pay for care fees
• Ensure it passes to your chosen beneficiaries, even if you remarry
• Avoid delays in probate

Important: Transferring property into a trust is a serious decision and may have implications for Capital Gains Tax or local authority means-testing, so professional advice is essential.

2. Savings and Investments

You might want to place certain savings, ISAs, or investment accounts into a trust, especially if:

• You want to reduce the value of your estate for inheritance tax purposes
• You wish to ring-fence assets for children or grandchildren
• You want to ensure funds are used for a specific purpose (e.g., education)

Be aware that some investment products may have specific rules about being held in trust.

3. Life Insurance Policies

Placing a life insurance policy into trust is often a smart move. This ensures that the payout:

• Goes directly to your beneficiaries
• Is not counted as part of your estate (potentially reducing inheritance tax)
• Is paid out without delay, bypassing probate
  
  

4. Business Assets

If you own a business, placing shares or assets into trust can:

• Help with succession planning
• Protect the value of your business for future generations
• Offer tax planning benefits

This is especially useful if you want to retain control while gradually passing ownership to others.

What NOT to Put in a Trust (or Think Carefully About)

• Pensions – Most pensions cannot be assigned into a trust, although you can nominate a beneficiary.
• Personal possessions – Unless of high value, these are often better dealt with through a will.
• Jointly owned property – You may need to change ownership structure first (e.g., from joint tenants to tenants in common).

Trusts Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

There are many types of trusts—Property Protection Trusts, Discretionary Trusts, Life Interest Trusts, and more. What’s best for you depends on your goals, family situation, and the type of assets involved.

Get Local, Personal Advice

At Complete Estate Protection, we help families across Middlesbrough, Teesside, and the North East navigate these important decisions. Whether you want to protect your home, provide for your loved ones, or reduce the burden of inheritance tax, we’ll guide you through every step.

If you’re unsure what to put into a trust—or even if you need one—let’s talk. We offer friendly, jargon-free advice with your family’s future at heart. Contact us today to book your free initial consultation.

📞 Get in touch today to find out how an Asset Protection Trust could benefit you and your loved ones.through, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

At Complete Estate Protection, we help families all across the North East make sure their trusts are watertight, valid, and ready when needed.

Contact us today to start your journey toward securing your legacy.