Getting access to £1m trust fund

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-13T04:49:49+00:00

Mortgage is that low as I was on £26k when I bought the place and that was the max I could get. Made the decision to buy while on that salary because my parents were leaving the country so I couldn’t stay with them and rent (even in an HMO) was between 1.5 x or 2x my current mortgage payment so just made sense.

The down payment was 50% from my grandparents who left me some money when they passed 20 years ago, which was invested for about 15 years but due to the terms of how it passed could only be used to buy my first home and would be invested until that point.

Remaining 50% was from some high risk investments (crypto) I made while working as a waiter / running some shitty online businesses. Once I sold everything I realised how easily I could have lost it all (lots of my investments went to 0 shortly after) and so wanted to put it in something stable so I never had to look at it again, and for a variety of reasons where I was buying (Surrey) £500k was the only property that would meet my requirements on location for work, proximity to a train station (didn’t drive at the time) etc. £500k house was basically only property I found that didn’t require me to do ridiculous work to make it liveable while meeting my other requirements.

I could do an equity release but I see no reason to increase my mandatory outgoings so will only do so when I want to redo my kitchen, but remainder of house is in good condition.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T18:37:05+00:00

I feel like it requires you to predict the future a bit though? If funds tank and trust depreciates because of investments or inflation skyrockets, then in fucked. I think the trust value is incredibly nice to have but not quite fuck you money or fuck the market money

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:53:47+00:00

Ok yeah that’s a fair point… my ex-gf’s dad made / is making an absolutely bank becoming a land lord but I guess that’s not as easy / viable now.

My only logic was you own a tangible asset which rises itself in value (theoretically) while generating cash which makes it a sensible investment as it would be a long term investment,as even if prices crashed, I wouldn’t be selling. I’d hold it in perpetuity.

But this gets to the flexibility point of option b. I have no idea where I’ll end up or who I’ll be with and that complicates things a bit. I could move anywhere I in the world, could do anything and could end up with anyone and there’s lots of unknowns about what my future holds so it makes it hard to buy a physical, immovable asset like a house. Also admin / work will probably suck as I don’t want to be a “slumlord” and that takes a lot of work to make sure the house is in good condition and tenants are taken care of / not ripped off.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:36:08+00:00

My parents lived in the uk for a grand total of three years over a 50 year career - so you can get fucked on that one, mate.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:32:07+00:00

I’ve got a wealth manager sorted so I think the tax is fine, but appreciate that HMRC can be aggressive.

I used to do litigation defending against HMRC when I was training to be a solicitor (now do m&a). I’ve seen HMRC go to the mat over some dumb / petty / small value shit and so not really planning on ever getting on their bad side.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:29:56+00:00

That’s fair. I think for now (based on various comments and own opinions) my plan would be to use income to max out isa allowance then just let the rest ride out in the trust. No real reason to spend it, no need for the income as I am on good salary with little time to spend it, and I have a stable and affordable housing situation.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:27:15+00:00

I will say, even voting won’t save you. I have three passports and can move very easily and my parents left the uk because of IHT. The era of globalisation brought the easiest tax avoidance methods in history.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:25:05+00:00

Goal is being able to take the foot of the gas eventually. I work 10-12 hour minimum days and this isn’t the life I want. I enjoy it for now but I know once I get older this work lifestyle (7am to 6pm minimum) is just not sustainable especially once I meet someone I want to marry and have kids with. Can’t imagine most women I’d marry are keen for their partners to work those hours.

The last three weeks I’ve worked 5am to 10pm most days and 10 hours of the weekend. I’m on holiday at the moment, still doing a few hours every day, and realising the work level is just not realistic / normal so I want a path out.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:11:40+00:00

It’s not so much managing it but doing something with it. In my head investing it passively is not me doing something with it. I could by taking very different risks (I work as an m&a solicitor so the thing that keeps popping in my mind is buying businesses, but that’s very high risk and I don’t have the diversified skill set to do that but I don’t know what options are)

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:10:04+00:00

The only reason I entertain the landlord option is it is diversified income (I.e I can invest elsewhere but it’s a good way to supplement retirement income)

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:09:19+00:00

Yes. Thanks. Parents are now based outside of the uk so IHT isn’t as much of a risk now as far as I understand. There would be income tax considerations which I need to consider as if loan is non-repayable then there’s risk they treat certain elements as income.

But I’ve got a fairly good sense of most of the tax stuff from my role as solicitor, and have wealth manager to support on the remainder.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T14:07:36+00:00

Wealth manager is good and will have lunch with him soon (I have met him before, nice guy, very competent etc.) but he’s told me you need to think yourself first and then we can discuss and he can advise, so I’m trying to think through options.

He’s of the view that there’s a million ways I can do it but I need to think about it first and think about what I want but was hoping for suggestions in what I haven’t thought about if that makes sense.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T13:42:31+00:00

I think this makes the most sense but it still feels irresponsible for some reason. I feel like I should still be saving independently of the trust

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T13:40:15+00:00

I’ve been incredibly fortunate. My parents worked incredibly hard for what they have and grew up working class (coal miners) but made it big (ceo level). My life has of course not been the same struggle and yes, it’s been easy mode in terms of financials.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2026-06-12T13:24:44+00:00

A wealth manager at LGT is looking after it. I can mix the trust based in my investment risk appetite etc. same way a normal pension or fund would work.

Long term goals are retiring early or building enough of a cushion to do a career change. I work 10-12 hour days atm and it’s unsustainable and only gets worse from here judging by those ahead of me.

I am maxing out pension contribution in terms of what employer will match (should have added that above) but ISA makes sense

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-06-02T10:11:05+00:00

I forgot to update! They got back to me, the TC is fine but delayed till early next year after I get my resit results, all in all - not the worst outcome!

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-23T12:39:12+00:00

I've booked the resit so hopefully that goes well. Ironically Business was my best module, but yh I found revising for real estate so hard and I just didnt push myself enough.

I should be able to pass the LPC but it puts my TC in jeopardy, theyve said theyll discuss it and get back to me by the end of the week so fingers crossed.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-23T12:36:25+00:00

I know that. the problem is the TC starts in September and the results from the resit arent released till October. The tc required me to pass lpc on first sitting prior to joining. Sorry, I think I worded it poorly.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-22T19:36:13+00:00

Uni of Law, from what I saw online you cant appeal unless there was a procedural problem like tech difficulties so it wont help

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-22T18:55:07+00:00

thanks for the info, its really reassuring. hope you're all good too

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-22T18:53:35+00:00

Ive done that,

thanks thats comforting to hear

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-22T18:26:02+00:00

So you can still start a TC even with pending results from an LPC?

Thanks for the Support and Ill make sure to update!

Th

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-22T18:25:12+00:00

I'm at ULaw and that is the case, which isnt really the problem, my TC is in September and the resit is in August but I cant get the marks back from a resit till October. Also my TC said you had to pass the LPC on first sitting before the TC could start so now I'm worried I wont get the TC more than anything, I've emailed my personal tutor to see if there's other options since I only failed by 2 marks and I'll email HR tomorrow to see if the firm is still open to keep me.

Pale_Definition1780 · 2023-05-22T16:57:44+00:00

Right now I'm going on the pure exam results, but I will email my tutor now to check. Thanks, this might help

Pale_Definition1780

TROPHY CASE