Estate Planning.

Estate planning is the process of organising your financial affairs, both for after your death and if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. It involves both strategic advice and the legal implementation of your wishes.

Our estate planning team will:

• Review your current assets and liabilities
• Understand how your wealth is structured and your intentions for the future
• Build a personalised, legally sound plan to protect your interests and those of your family

Estate planning often involves collaboration with financial advisers or other professionals to ensure every aspect of your estate is properly considered.

A will is a key part of estate planning, but it’s only one part. A will outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death, whereas estate planning takes a broader view, including:

• Tax-efficient gifting strategies
• Setting up trusts
• Planning for incapacity (e.g. Powers of Attorney)
• Business succession plans
• Protection against future care costs

A well-structured estate plan addresses every detail, not just who inherits what.

Yes, if you want to ensure that someone you trust can make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in England:

• Health and welfare – for decisions about care, medical treatment, and living arrangements
• Property and financial affairs – for managing money, bills, and property

LPAs are often overlooked but are crucial in a comprehensive estate plan. Without one, decisions about your health or finances could be made by people who don’t know or care about your wishes. In some circumstances, decisions may not be made at all if the Court of Protection has to appoint someone.

Estate planning can provide many benefits for the planner and their family. Aside from giving you control over your future and creating peace of mind, other key benefits can include:

Clarity and control – Ensure your estate is distributed exactly as you intend, avoiding confusion or disputes.

Tax efficiency – Reduce exposure to Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax with strategic planning.

Asset protection – Safeguard family wealth from future risks such as divorce, debt, or care home fees.

Business continuity – Support a smooth handover of your business to the next generation or successor.

Preparedness for incapacity – Appoint trusted individuals through Lasting Powers of Attorney to manage your affairs if needed.

If you die without a valid will or estate plan in place, your estate will be distributed according to the intestacy rules, which may not reflect your wishes. This can lead to:

• Unintended beneficiaries
• Delays in probate and inheritance
• Family disputes or legal challenges
• Higher tax liabilities

An estate plan gives you control over what happens to your wealth and protects your loved ones from avoidable stress.

Estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy. With rising property values and changing family dynamics, more people than ever are seeking early advice. You might consider planning your estate if:

• You want to pass on wealth during or after your lifetime
• If your combined estate with your spouse will likely exceed the nil-rate-band
• Where gifts are designated directly for grandchildren, skipping over direct children
• You run a family business and want to secure continuity
• You anticipate disputes or want to safeguard your wishes

It’s never too early to begin planning. Starting early gives you more flexibility and control. For many people below the age of 30 or who have just had children, writing a will is often the first step in estate planning.

For very simple estates, self-planning may be possible. But even well-intentioned decisions, like gifting property to children, can trigger unexpected tax liabilities, including:

• Inheritance Tax
• Capital Gains Tax
• Exposure to care home fee assessments or third-party claims

To avoid costly mistakes, we always recommend seeking legal advice before making large gifts or structural changes to your estate.

We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3–5 years, or whenever there’s a significant life event, such as:

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth of a child or grandchild
• A significant change in financial circumstances
• Purchase or sale of property
• Business restructuring or exit

Estate plans should evolve as your life does.

Our fees vary depending on:

• The complexity and size of your estate
• The nature of the assets involved
• Your specific goals and how you wish to achieve them

We offer transparent pricing and will provide a detailed estimate at the outset, so you can make informed decisions with no surprises. Call us to book your initial consultation 020 4572 9548 to discuss your circumstances and receive a price estimate.