v THE HERALD - INDEPENDENT AND PROUD OF IT v 8th October 2026 • The HERALD • Page 61 ASK A PROFESSIONAL Protecting Loved Ones Through a Life Interest Trust by Kelly Dawkins, Head of Private Client and Probate Practitioner at TMT Legal Services When making a Will, many people want the same thing: to ensure their loved ones are looked after while protecting the assets they have worked hard to build throughout their lifetime. However, for couples who own property, have children, or are part of a blended family, deciding how assets should be passed on can be more complex than many realise. A Life Interest Trust can o er a practical solution as a provision that can be included within a Will. It allows one person, o en a spouse or partner, to bene t from an asset during their lifetime Kelly Dawkins, Head of Private Client and Probate Practitioner at TMT Legal Services while ensuring that it ultimately passes to other chosen bene ciaries in the future. A common example is the family home. Many clients want the reassurance that their spouse or partner can continue living in the property if they pass away rst, while also ensuring their share of the property eventually passes to their children. A Life Interest Trust can help achieve both objectives. ese trusts can be particularly useful for blended families, where individuals may wish to provide for a current spouse while preserving an inheritance for children from a previous relationship. By clearly setting out how assets should be managed and distributed, a Life Interest Trust can provide certainty and help ensure a person’s wishes are respected. One of the greatest bene ts of estate planning is peace of mind. Having clear arrangements in place can reduce uncertainty for family members and help minimise the potential for disagreements in the future. It also gives individuals con dence that the assets they leave behind will be passed on as intended. Every family is di erent, which is why professional advice is important. A carefully dra ed Will can do far more than simply state who should inherit an estate. Many people are unaware of the options available to them until they seek specialist advice. Taking steps now can help ensure your Will re ects your wishes and provides lasting protection for those who matter most. If you would like advice about a Life Interest Trust or want to understand more about how they work, TMT Legal Services is here to help. You are welcome to visit our o ces in Hythe, Chandlers Ford or Bitterne Village. You can also call us on: 0333 188 4758, email: enquiry@tmtlegalservices.co.uk or visit: www.tmtlegalservices.co.uk for further information. £1m Being Made Available To Local Projects Working To Reduce Crime A £1m funding initiative has been launched by Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, to support local projects which work to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Charities, councils and third sector organisations are being invited to apply for funding from the Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund. is year the Commissioner will welcome applications that seek to reduce abuse, violence and exploitation against women and girls, tackle serious violence, drive down anti-social behaviour, and reduce reo ending. Applications close on 16th October, to apply for funding, please visit: https:// s-url.co/tXA0AA Successful applicants will receive the funding from 1st April 2027.
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