IHT: The death tax explored and explained
When a death occurs, the deceased’s estate is assessed for a type of tax known as Inheritance Tax (‘IHT’). This tax is commonly referred to as the “death tax” but there are other instances where IHT can be triggered aside from on death which will be briefly touched upon later [...]
Why you need to know about probate
When someone dies, their estate often goes through the probate process — and this area is evolving too. Recent commentary notes a rise in contentious probate cases (legal disputes over an estate) and increasing significance of digital assets in estate administration. That means executors and beneficiaries face new complexities when [...]
Making a will
Making a will means you decide what happens to your estate — and with new legal developments underway, now is a great time to act. The Wills Act 1837 still governs many of the formalities of will-making in England & Wales, but the Law Commission’s report published this year recommends [...]
Power of Attorney
Putting in place a power of attorney means someone you trust can act for you if you lose capacity — and current rules say “why wait”. From 17 November 2025 the standard fee to register a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will increase from £82 to £92 per document. With [...]
Estate planning isn’t just about your will
Estate planning isn’t just about drafting a will — it’s about looking at your wider financial and family situation, tax implications and how assets will pass on. With reforms on the horizon (e.g., the proposed Wills Bill 2025, changes to Business Property Relief for owners of farms/businesses) this is a [...]
Don’t get caught out with care costs
Later-life care costs can have a significant impact on your assets and inheritance. It’s wise to plan ahead. For 2025-26 the upper capital limit for local authority support remains at £23,250 and the lower at £14,250. Meanwhile, average weekly care-home fees are increasingly high. With careful planning you can structure [...]
