Trusts in Divorce: The 3rd Annual Practitioner’s Forum

This conference is unique in bringing together Trust and Family Lawyers for a thorough exploration and analysis of the issues in trusts in divorce.

In-person | 10th February 2026 | Central London

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Agenda

Networking & Registration
09.00

Chairs' Opening Remarks
09.30

An Overview of Trusts in Divorce
09.40

  • Jurisdictional differences in treatment of trusts 
  • Establishing a Trust vis-à-vis Divorce 
  • Impact of trust structure on matrimonial claims 
  • Trusts created during marriage vs. pre-marital trusts 
  • Tactics for both attacking and defending trusts 

Discussing Matters Disclosure in Proceedings
10.25

  • What and not to disclose 
  • Trustee obligations vs. beneficiary rights 
  • Disclosure in family vs. chancery proceedings 
  • Consequences of non-disclosure 

Networking & Refreshment Break
11.10

Analysing Wealth and Trust Protection

  • Interaction between prenups/postnups and trust structures 
  • Drafting considerations for integrated protection 
  • Stress Testing and Divorce-Proofing a Trust 
  • Jurisdictional forum shopping 
  • Impacts of the Standish case and matrimonialisation 

Comparing Out-of-Court Dispute Resolution in the Family and Chancery Divisions

  • Differing approaches from chancery division and family division 
  • Mediation and arbitration in trust disputes 
  • Collaborative law models 
  • Cost-benefit analysis of ADR/NCDR in trust litigation 

Networking and Lunch Break
13.00

Examining Sham Trusts
14.00

  • Defining a sham trust 
  • What happens if a trust is held to be a sham 
  • Sham trusts in matrimonial finance proceedings 
  • Evidentiary challenges in proving sham intent 

Highlighting the Importance of Trusts & Tax Planning

  • The necessity of family law advice when engaging in complex tax planning
  • The impact of divorce on a "bulletproof" tax structure
  • Ensuring that matrimonialisation does not interfere with tax planning and intentions for inheritance

Networking & Refreshment Break
15.30

Navigating Third Parties and Interveners and their Role in Proceedings
15.50

  • Trustees as interveners in divorce proceedings 
  • Beneficiaries’ rights and interests 
  • Corporate entities and nominee arrangements 
  • Strategic litigation involving third parties 

Addressing Enforcement of Awards and Orders
16.35

  • Enforcing family court judgments against trust assets 
  • Cross-border enforcement challenges 
  • Role of trustees in enforcement resistance 
  • Remedies available to spouses 

Chairs' Closing Remarks
17.20


09.00
Networking & Registration
09.30
Chairs' Opening Remarks
09.40
An Overview of Trusts in Divorce
  • Jurisdictional differences in treatment of trusts 
  • Establishing a Trust vis-à-vis Divorce 
  • Impact of trust structure on matrimonial claims 
  • Trusts created during marriage vs. pre-marital trusts 
  • Tactics for both attacking and defending trusts 
10.25
Discussing Matters Disclosure in Proceedings
  • What and not to disclose 
  • Trustee obligations vs. beneficiary rights 
  • Disclosure in family vs. chancery proceedings 
  • Consequences of non-disclosure 
11.10
Networking & Refreshment Break
Analysing Wealth and Trust Protection
  • Interaction between prenups/postnups and trust structures 
  • Drafting considerations for integrated protection 
  • Stress Testing and Divorce-Proofing a Trust 
  • Jurisdictional forum shopping 
  • Impacts of the Standish case and matrimonialisation 
Comparing Out-of-Court Dispute Resolution in the Family and Chancery Divisions
  • Differing approaches from chancery division and family division 
  • Mediation and arbitration in trust disputes 
  • Collaborative law models 
  • Cost-benefit analysis of ADR/NCDR in trust litigation 
13.00
Networking and Lunch Break
14.00
Examining Sham Trusts
  • Defining a sham trust 
  • What happens if a trust is held to be a sham 
  • Sham trusts in matrimonial finance proceedings 
  • Evidentiary challenges in proving sham intent 
Highlighting the Importance of Trusts & Tax Planning
  • The necessity of family law advice when engaging in complex tax planning
  • The impact of divorce on a "bulletproof" tax structure
  • Ensuring that matrimonialisation does not interfere with tax planning and intentions for inheritance
15.30
Networking & Refreshment Break
15.50
Navigating Third Parties and Interveners and their Role in Proceedings
  • Trustees as interveners in divorce proceedings 
  • Beneficiaries’ rights and interests 
  • Corporate entities and nominee arrangements 
  • Strategic litigation involving third parties 
16.35
Addressing Enforcement of Awards and Orders
  • Enforcing family court judgments against trust assets 
  • Cross-border enforcement challenges 
  • Role of trustees in enforcement resistance 
  • Remedies available to spouses 
17.20
Chairs' Closing Remarks

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Contact Us

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General & Booking

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