Protectors & Leading Member

Add a guardian layer to high-impact decisions so family intent is preserved—without slowing everyday operations.

What it is

A Protector or Guardian holds consent or veto rights over specified high-stakes decisions—changes to beneficiaries, major distributions, borrowings, significant asset sales, or appointor and trustee replacements. The Leading Member concept grants priority decision rights within complex family structures.

Used well, these roles protect intent on the big calls while leaving routine administration to trustees and directors.

When to use

  • Blended families or complex beneficiary interests with competing priorities.
  • Large assets or distributions with reputational or tax risk.
  • Desire for oversight on control changes (appointor, trustee, director changes).

Risks to consider

  • Over-constraining operations or creating deadlocks if the scope is too broad.
  • Unclear role definitions or succession for the guardian or Leading Member.
  • Documentation gaps that undermine enforceability or tax integrity.

How we implement protector and Leading Member roles

01

Snapshot

We identify which decisions genuinely need a guardian layer and how this interacts with trustees, directors and appointors across your structure.

02

Legal briefing

We define the scope of protector / Leading Member powers, succession, and conflict management rules in line with your family dynamics and goals.

03

Drafting via LY Legal

LY Legal prepares deed updates, constitutions or special-purpose documentation to embed the roles and powers with clear limits and safeguards.

04

Execution & records

We coordinate appointments, consents and minutes, then update your Control Register so everyone knows who can do what—and when.

05

Handover

You receive a plain-English summary explaining the scope of the protector and Leading Member roles and how they interact with your existing control structure.