Estate Planning

Comprehensive estate planning for London individuals and families. Strategic advice covering wills, trusts, LPAs, inheritance tax mitigation, gifting strategies, and asset protection — tailored to your complete financial picture.

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Estate Planning: what you need to know

Comprehensive estate planning is a strategic review of your complete financial and personal picture, looking at how your assets will pass on your death and how much of your estate will be absorbed by inheritance tax. For most London residents, this is more complex than they realise — and more rewarding to address properly.

An estate planning review looks at your wills, LPAs, trust provisions, pension nominations, insurance policies, gifting history, and asset ownership structures. The output is a clear picture of your current position, your likely inheritance tax liability under current rules, and practical recommendations for reducing that liability and ensuring your assets pass to the right people.

The best time to undertake estate planning is before a crisis makes decisions urgent. Our matched specialists take a methodical, non-alarming approach — explaining your position clearly and making recommendations you can implement at your own pace.

Why it matters for your estate

Complete Estate Visibility

Many people are surprised by the scale of their estate when all assets are properly aggregated — property, pensions, investments, business interests, life insurance, and accumulated savings. A clear picture is the starting point for all planning decisions.

Inheritance Tax Calculation

Your specialist calculates your likely IHT liability under current rules, accounting for available allowances including nil-rate bands, residence nil-rate bands, business property relief, and agricultural property relief where applicable.

Practical Recommendations

Estate planning recommendations are prioritised by impact and urgency. Not everything needs to be done immediately — your specialist will identify what is most time-sensitive and what can be implemented progressively.

Family Alignment

Good estate planning often involves conversations with family members about intentions, expectations, and financial realities. Your specialist can facilitate these discussions and ensure everyone understands the plan.

Is estate planning right for you?

A comprehensive estate planning review is right for:

  • Those with estates likely to exceed the IHT threshold (£325,000 per person, or £500,000 including the residence nil-rate band) who have not undertaken formal planning
  • Those approaching retirement whose pension assets, property equity, and accumulated savings are growing into inheritance tax territory
  • Following a significant change in circumstances — inheritance, property purchase, business sale, marriage, or divorce
  • Those who have not reviewed their will or estate position for more than five years
  • Business owners who need to understand how business property relief applies to their estate

How the process works

1

Asset and Liability Review

A comprehensive picture of your estate is assembled — property values, investment portfolios, pension funds, business interests, insurance policies, and any gifts made in the last seven years.

2

IHT Position Assessment

Your inheritance tax position is calculated under current rules, with all available allowances and reliefs identified and applied. This provides a clear baseline figure for planning purposes.

3

Strategy Development

Strategies for reducing IHT exposure are assessed — gifting, trust structures, will amendments, pension planning, and business relief optimisation — with each option's benefits and implications explained clearly.

4

Written Report and Action Plan

A comprehensive written report summarises your estate position, recommended actions, and suggested timeline. This serves as your ongoing reference document for estate planning decisions.

Estate Planning across London

Our network covers estate planning specialists across all major London areas. Select your area to find specialists who serve your neighbourhood specifically.

Estate Planning — common questions