Russell-Cooke Trust Company (RCTC)

Russell-Cooke Trust Company (RCTC) is an independent trust company wholly owned by Russell-Cooke LLP. It acts as an executor or trustee in the administration of trusts and/or estates.

RCTC has extensive experience of running both contentious and non-contentious matters, many including high value assets or involving cross border issues.

Appointing an independent executor or trustee can be a powerful tool to ensure as much as possible that wishes are respected. RCTC has a useful independent voice as it stands outside of and is neutral to family issues and dynamics.

When considering who should administer an estate or trust, family members may often seem the obvious choice, but where there are complexities or where there may be the potential for contentious issues, an independent (standing alone or with a lay person) may be preferable.

RCTC can be appointed as an executor in a will or trustee of a trust. It can also be appointed as an independent administrator in the event that appointed executors or trustees are removed by the court or choose to stand down.

RCTC is often appointed in circumstances of dispute and is charged with protecting the estate or trust in circumstances where litigation may be foreseen, perhaps because of the management of the estate or trust or the actions of third parties.

We are alive to the challenges occasionally thrown up by the movement of assets or responsibilities between generations of families. What worked for one generation does not necessarily work for another and the management of trusts in particular should flex as is appropriate.

RCTC is able to rely on Russell-Cooke’s broad range of legal services to support the administration of estates and trusts.

No one estate or trust is the same but the following services are just some of those that RCTC regularly requires in the context of estate/trust administration:

• Trust & Estate disputes
• Tax advice, preparation of tax returns and accounts
• property law and conveyancing
• real estate disputes (where estate/trust properties have tenants)
• lease extension and freehold purchase
• corporate and commercial law

The aim is to provide a consultative approach from the outset. To quickly establish family dynamics and aim and to move the administration on as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. We offer a sensitive but pragmatic approach drawing on the wide expertise available in Russell-Cooke LLP including real estate, commercial litigation, trust and probate litigation, property litigation and charities.

RCTC is governed by a board of directors made up of external consultants and Russell-Cooke partners from a range of departments. This reflects the depth and breadth of experience at Russell-Cooke. Many of the board are leading individuals in their own practice areas, with mentions in the Legal 500, Chambers UK and Chambers High Net Worth.