Estate Planning

Why planning ahead matters right now

Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning is more urgent than ever in 2025, as frozen thresholds and reduced reliefs bring more families into scope. HMRC collected £7.6 billion in the first 11 months of 2024/25—an 11.8% rise year on year—highlighting how fiscal drag is pushing estates above the £325,000 nil-rate band and £175,000 residence nil-rate band, both frozen until 2030. From April 2026, Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs will be capped at £1 million and AIM share relief halved to 50%, while from April 2027 (pending legislation) unused pensions may face both IHT and income tax.

These shifts erode long standing protections, meaning that early action (through restructuring, trusts, and tailored estate planning) has become essential to safeguard wealth for future generations.

HM Revenue and Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen.

Trusts and Estate Planning are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Estate Planning

Our Solutions

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Holistic estate mapping: forecast your estate’s future value and potential IHT exposure.
Will & LPA structuring: ensure your wishes are legally enforceable and executors empowered.
Trust & company frameworks: use discretionary trusts or Family Investment Companies to balance control and tax efficiency.
Gifting strategies: design tax-free gifting schedules using exemptions and 'normal expenditure' relief.
Insurance-backed liquidity: whole-of-life cover in trust to pay HMRC without forcing asset sales.
Ongoing monitoring: annual reviews to adapt to changing tax rules, relief caps, and family circumstances.

...all managed through an easy 3 step process.

Step 1: Discovery call

Full fact-find: assets, liabilities, family tree, desired legacies, charitable intent.
Step 2: Plan & illustrate

IHT forecast & recommendations: nil-rate-band usage, lifetime-gift schedule, trust or FIC designs, protection quotations.
Step 3: Implement & review

Legal work & execution: wills signed, LPAs registered, trusts settled, policies placed in trust, gifting calendar created. Annual review keeps the plan aligned with rule changes and portfolio growth.

Document Checklist

Latest will and any codicils
Property valuations & title numbers
Pension statements (SIPP, workplace, DB)
Life-policy schedules & trust deeds
Share register / company valuation if a director
Lasting Power of Attorney certificates

Having these to hand speeds legal drafting and avoids repeated solicitor meetings.

Expert Tips

Insure the liability

A joint-life second-death whole-of-life plan, written in discretionary trust, can deliver tax-free cash exactly when HMRC asks for the bill. Typical cost ≈ £170 pm per £400 k cover at age 55, non-smoker.
Double-up nil-rate bands

On first death, ensure the executor claims any unused NRB/RNRB so the survivor’s estate benefits.
Review after every Budget

The 2024 Autumn Statement froze bands to 2030 and trailed APR/BPR caps; rapid legislation can catch static plans off-guard.
Record regular gifts from income

HMRC Form IHT403 makes them immediately IHT-free; keep clear evidence year-by-year.
Pre-2026 AIM investors

Consider crystallising gains before relief halves; or blend AIM with other shelter routes to keep each pot below £1 m cap.

Here to HELP

What lenders look for

Up-to-date property valuations

From RICS or a recognised surveyor.
Company accounts & share registers

To evidence business value and ownership.
Trust documentation

Showing who controls and benefits from assets.
Pension statements

Especially where retirement pots are part of repayment strategy.
Liquidity evidence

Insurers’ whole-of-life policies or investments earmarked to cover tax liabilities.
Clear succession planning

Lenders prefer estates with wills, LPAs, and structures in place, reducing risk of disputes.

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