Inheritance & Estate Planning
Estate Planning
Explore our collection of articles on estate planning and passing wealth to future generations. Discover how people plan their estates, structure assets and consider long-term family financial planning.
Articles
What Happens To Your Pension When You Die?This article explains how pensions are treated on death and who may receive pension assets.
Do Pensions Count Towards Inheritance Tax?This article explains how pensions interact with inheritance tax and when pension assets may form part of an estate.
Estate Planning Explained: Wills, Trusts and Financial PlanningThis article explains what estate planning involves, including the role of wills, trusts and inheritance tax.
What Happens to Your ISA When You Die?This article explains how ISAs are treated on death, the additional permitted subscription rules for spouses, and inheritance tax implications.
Lasting Power of Attorney ExplainedThis article explains how Lasting Powers of Attorney work, the two types available, how to make and register one, and the key points to consider.
Discretionary Trusts and Inheritance Tax ExplainedThis article explains what a discretionary trust is, how it is taxed under the relevant property regime, the 10-year periodic charge, exit charges, and when a discretionary trust may be useful.
What Is Probate? A Guide to Applying for Probate in England and WalesThis article explains what probate is, when it is and isn't needed, the executor's role, how to apply, the 2026/27 fees, and how probate relates to Inheritance Tax.
Deed of Variation ExplainedThis article explains how a deed of variation works, the two-year rule, the inheritance tax reading-back effect, and when redirecting an inheritance can help.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will? Intestacy Rules ExplainedThis article explains the intestacy rules, the statutory legacy, what happens when there are children, and why making a will matters.
Paying for Care in Later Life ExplainedThis article explains the care means test in England, the £23,250 capital limit, what happens to the family home, and the deprivation of assets rules.
Bare Trusts ExplainedThis article explains how bare trusts work, how they are taxed for inheritance tax, income tax and capital gains tax, the parental settlement rule, and how they compare with discretionary trusts.
The Residence Nil Rate Band Taper on Estates Over £2 MillionThis article explains how the residence nil rate band taper withdraws £1 of relief for every £2 of estate value above £2 million, the effective 60% marginal rate, the downsizing addition, and the impact of the 2027 pension changes.
Pre-Owned Assets Tax ExplainedThis article explains the pre-owned assets income tax charge, the three categories of asset, how the chargeable amount is worked out, the £5,000 exemption, the exclusions and the IHT500 election.