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United Kingdom

Terminating Trusts in England and Wales: Methods, CGT/IHT Consequences, Distribution and Beneficiary Entitlements, Trustee Protection, and TRS Closure

Practice notes
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Trustee’s checklist

The trustee should address the following:

Termination of the trust

  • Note key termination triggers, eg a beneficiary attaining 25
  • Review tax planning in advance of termination
  • Confirm the validity of termination paperwork
  • Check and record the termination date

Accounts and liabilities

  • Locate and settle all liabilities
  • Finalise outstanding tax obligations
  • Prepare closing accounts

Distribution of assets

  • Confirm the beneficiaries
  • List the trust assets
  • Determine each beneficiary’s entitlement
  • Secure a release, discharge or indemnity
  • Distribute assets and transfer legal title

See also: Trustees' checklist on the termination of a trust.

Methods of terminating a trust

Subject to the terms of the particular trust, an express trust can generally be concluded in the following ways:

  • The settlor invokes a power to revoke
  • The disposition of property into the trust is set aside
  • Expiry of a specified period in the trust deed or under the governing law
  • An application by the settlor’s trustee in bankruptcy where the transfer can be challenged under provisions of the Insolvency Act 1986
  • The trustee exercises a power of appointment or advancement
...
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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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