Estate Planning Guide

No one wants to pay tax unnecessarily to the Chancellor but it's surprising how many people end up doing it. Changes to the Inheritance Tax rules in October 2007 affect married couples and those in civil partnerships but for everyone else, the rules remain unchanged. IHT is charged at 40% on any assets above the personal tax-free limits set by HM Revenue and Customs, so it's very important to prepare for a potential tax liability. By doing so you could be saving many thousands of pounds.

The following guide is intended to help ensure that you maximise your Estate for those you love, rather than see a disproportionate amount go to the Taxman, Local Authorities or (in our increasingly litigious society) dissipated via lawsuits or attack by hostile creditors.

With our high quality, specialist advice we can help you identify simple and effective ways of protecting your property and assets. We then work closely with you to implement these measures.

Starting at the beginning - Your Will

When it comes to thorough Financial and Estate Planning, your Will is your starting point. You can take effective measures to minimise your IHT bill with one. But in addition to saving tax there are a range of other benefits, which make having a Will essential:

Choice of who inherits your possessions, property and money.
Control over the amount of tax paid on your Estate, so the people you love inherit more and less goes to the Taxman.
Protect your children by appointing trusted Guardians. If you don't they may be taken into the care of the Social Services, or Guardians appointed who you may not have wanted to act.
Establish Will Trust solutions to minimise IHT.
Peace of mind knowing that financial provision has been made for your children and Grandchildren after your death.
Prepare for your funeral.
Leave a legacy to a Charity or make provision for a family pet.

Will Trusts

One of the biggest benefits of comprehensive Estate Planning is that you can ensure you don't pay a penny more in tax than you have to. This is because your Will can be drafted to include a provision to set up Trusts that will enable you to save Inheritance Tax (IHT).

Despite IHT rule changes, there are still a number of reasons why a married couple might consider provision for this in their Wills.