PFS 2.5 hrs F2F Workshop- Trust issues! (and how to fix them). Vulnerable Persons Trusts

Workshop Overview: 

This workshop aims to equip planners with a practical understanding of Vulnerable Persons Trusts and their role within the wider financial and estate planning space.  

The workshop explores the practical use of Vulnerable Persons Trusts within real financial planning scenarios. Focusing on how these trusts work in practice rather than theory alone, the session will walk through the planning context, common family situations, and the decisions advisers often face when balancing protection, flexibility and long-term financial outcomes. Through practical examples and discussion, the session will highlight the special tax treatments for income tax, CGT and IHT and focus particularly on practical pitfalls.  

Interaction with means tested benefits is covered in depth, particularly Universal Credit where the treatment is different to that of its predecessors ESA and housing benefit.  Investment solutions will be looked at in a general sense, with the practical impact of DFM/platform portfolios and onshore/offshore investment bonds .

Learning objective

By the end of this workshop:

• By the end of the session, attendees should understand the circumstances in which a Vulnerable Persons Trust may be appropriate, the key tax and regulatory features, and how trustee responsibilities interact with financial planning objectives.

• The workshop will also help planners identify opportunities and risks when advising families and improve collaboration with legal and tax professionals to ensure suitable, compliant and client-focused outcomes.

Steven Howells-Director-Arcadia Legal.

Steven Howells is a director of Arcadia Legal.

He works with families, advisers and professional partners on trust and estate planning, with a particular focus on practical solutions for complex and vulnerable beneficiary situations.

Known for translating technical trust and tax issues into clear, real-world guidance, he regularly collaborates with financial planners to help shape workable, client-focused outcomes.

Alongside his advisory work, Steven leads strategic and innovative projects within professional services, with a strong interest in improving how legal, tax and financial experts work together. He enjoys sharing practical insights through workshops and training sessions that are grounded in day-to-day experience rather than theory alone.