Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax Advice
Effective estate planning is about more than writing a Will. It’s a comprehensive financial strategy that protects your assets, provides for your loved ones, and ensures your legacy passes on in the most tax-efficient way possible.
Take a proactive approach now so you can have peace of mind knowing your family’s future is secure and unnecessary tax liabilities have been minimised.
Why Professional Estate Planning Is Essential
Without a structured plan, a significant portion of your estate could be lost to Inheritance Tax (IHT). IHT is charged at 40% on the value of an estate above the available thresholds — and with the main nil-rate band frozen at £325,000 until 2030, more estates are being pulled into the IHT net each year simply through rising asset values, not increasing wealth.
The good news: with careful planning, there are still many legal ways to reduce this burden. Our role is to give you a clear picture of your current financial position and put strategies in place that match your long-term goals — before legislation, asset growth, or life events make that harder.
It’s also worth knowing that the rules in this area are changing significantly over the next two years:
- From April 2026, 100% relief on combined Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief is now capped at £2.5 million per estate, with 50% relief (an effective 20% IHT rate) applying above that.
- From April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be brought into the value of your estate for IHT purposes for the first time — a major change for anyone who has used their pension as a tax-efficient way to pass on wealth.
Both changes make it more important than ever to review your existing plans rather than assume arrangements made years ago still work the way they used to.
Our Estate Planning Services
We provide tailored advice based on your circumstances, focused on four core areas.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) Reviews
We carry out a thorough assessment of your estate to calculate your potential IHT liability, including your Nil Rate Band and Residence Nil Rate Band, and how these can be transferred between spouses or civil partners to maximise the relief available to your family.
Lifetime Gifting Strategies
Giving away assets during your lifetime can reduce the size of your taxable estate. We advise on the seven-year rule for Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs), and help you make full use of your annual gift exemption and small gift allowances.
The Use of Trusts
Trusts are powerful tools for protecting assets for future generations or vulnerable beneficiaries. We advise on the tax implications of setting up different types of trusts, and work alongside your solicitor and financial adviser to ensure they’re managed correctly and remain compliant with HMRC reporting requirements.
Business Succession Planning
For business owners, planning for the future of the company is vital. We help you understand how Business Property Relief applies to your business, including the new £2.5 million cap on 100% relief from April 2026, and develop succession plans that allow ownership to pass on smoothly, without an unexpected tax bill landing on your successors.
A Collaborative Approach to Your Legacy
We focus on the financial and tax-related aspects of your estate, and we work alongside legal professionals and, where investment or pension advice is needed, regulated financial advisers, to ensure your Will, trust deeds, and wider financial strategy are fully aligned. This joined-up approach means your legal documents and your financial reality move together, not in separate directions.
When Should You Review Your Estate Plan?
Estate planning isn’t a one-time event. We recommend reviewing your plan whenever there’s a significant change in your life or in the law, including:
- The birth of children or grandchildren
- Marriage, civil partnership, or divorce
- The sale of a business, or receipt of an inheritance
- Significant changes to UK tax legislation — including the upcoming 2027 reforms above
- It’s been more than two to three years since your last review
Common Questions
How much can I pass on before Inheritance Tax applies?
Most people benefit from a £325,000 nil-rate band, plus a £175,000 residence nil-rate band if a main residence is left to direct descendants — giving many couples a combined allowance of up to £1 million. Both bands are frozen until 2030.
Will my pension be taxed when I die?
Under current rules, most pensions sit outside your estate for IHT purposes. From April 2027, that changes: most unused pension funds will be included in your estate’s value, which may significantly affect anyone who has relied on pensions as part of an inheritance strategy.
Is Business Property Relief still unlimited?
No. From April 2026, 100% relief on combined business and agricultural property is capped at £2.5 million per estate, with 50% relief above that threshold.
Do I need a solicitor as well as an accountant?
Yes, we handle the tax strategy, and your Will. A solicitor may be required if assistance is needed with a trust or property transfer. We work closely with legal professionals (and financial advisers, where investments or pensions are involved) so everything is aligned.
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