Introduction

Running a business, buying property, or simply building wealth all carry hidden risks – creditor claims, tax changes, an economic downturn, or a sudden health crisis. Effective asset protection keeps the family home, investments, and hard-earned savings safe. Harris Tate’s Commercial Team has the experience and expertise to advise you on how to protect your wealth while still giving you day-to-day control.

Picking the Right Ownership Structure

Sole name, joint names, company, or trust? Each option has different considerations to weigh up and different tax implications. We consider your asset pool and whether a look-through company, family trust, or limited partnership, among other options, offers the best creditor protection. If multiple assets are involved, we often mix structures to spread risk and keep compliance costs down.

Business Risk & Personal Guarantees

Moving key assets into a modern family trust can ring-fence them from business debts. We can draft robust trust deeds, transfer property, and set up a flexible gifting programme with your future planning in mind. If considering personal guarantees, we can review leases, supplier agreements, and bank facilities, negotiating caps or alternative security where possible.

Safeguarding Against Insolvency & Legal Claims

Effective asset structuring is important to protect you from financial risk, which can arise as a result of cash flow issues, creditor claims, the enforcement of personal guarantees and insolvency.  We can help you register PPSR securities, protect passive assets from business risk, and put shareholder agreements in place that prevent one partner’s poor decision-making from creating issues for everyone else.

Estate Planning & Continuity

Asset protection does not stop at death. We can assist to put in place complementary wills, enduring powers of attorney, and memoranda of wishes so trustees and executors can act fast, keep creditors at bay, and ensure your wishes are carried out without court delays.

Why Choose Harris Tate?

• Plain-English advice: No legal jargon – just clear next steps.
• Holistic view: Business, family, and estate advice all covered.
• Future-proof focus: Strategies built to last through legal and life changes.
• Knowledgeable and experienced team.

Contact Us Today

Our experienced team can advise you on the best structure to protect your assets from business and financial risk and give you peace of mind. Contact us today for commercial and pragmatic advice that keeps your future plans secure.