Estate planning is a broad, long-term financial plan that is designed to maintain continuity in the event of your death. It is designed to ensure that your assets, investments, and wealth pass on to your loved ones in a tax-efficient, streamlined plan. Ready to discuss your options? Get in touch with our legal experts today.
What is Estate Planning?
Effective estate planning isn’t just about focusing on what happens in the event of your passing, it is also designed to make the most out of your wealth and enjoy it whilst you’re here.
At Jackson Lees, our estate planning specialists will be able to help you in various ways, all to deliver peace of mind.
Our Wills, Trusts and Probate experts will be able to guide you through the current laws, customs and practices and advise you on how best to structure your portfolio. We can provide the best advice on inheritance tax, gifts to family members and charity donations as well as longer-term legacy plans.
How to plan your estate
Regardless of your objectives, creating a complete and broad estate plan can help bring clarity and assurances to your financial matters. Our Wills, Trusts and Probate solicitors can explain to you the current laws that may affect the value of your estate.
From there, we will be able to develop a unique plan that is tailored to your situation and goals. This plan will be extensive in scope and be as thorough and detailed as possible.
Maintaining an estate can be a very time-costly and complicated task. If you would like advice on how to set up a Will or trust fund, or if you need practical help with the administration of your estate, call Jackson Lees solicitors today or fill in the enquiry form and our experienced estate planning team will be glad to assist you.
What is Inheritance Tax?
Inheritance Tax is a tax on the estate (the property, money, and possessions) of someone who’s died. This can also include gifts made within the 7 years prior to your death.
There’s normally no Inheritance Tax to pay if either:
- The value of your estate is below the £325,000 threshold
- You leave everything above the £325,000 threshold to your spouse, civil partner, a charity, or a community amateur sports club
You may still need to report the estate’s value even if it’s below the threshold:
- If you give away your home to your children (including adopted, foster or stepchildren) or grandchildren your threshold can increase to £500,000.
- If you’re married or in a civil partnership and your estate is worth less than your threshold, any unused threshold can be added to your partner’s threshold when you die.
The standard Inheritance Tax rate is 40%. It’s only charged on the part of your estate that’s above the threshold.
Unsure about your inheritance tax bill? Make an enquiry.
Trusts
You don’t need any special qualifiers to apply for a trust. Setting up a trust is a very precise process that needs to be carefully worded and checked for any legal loopholes. To set up a trust, it's vital to employ the services of an expert.
Understanding which trust is right for you depends on many factors, including:
- Your financial situation
- The situation of the trustee
- How you want your assets to be managed in the trust
- Who you want to maintain control of your trust
- The purpose of the trust
Capital Gains tax?
Capital Gains Tax is a tax on the gain when you sell or transfer an asset that has increased in value.
It’s the gain you make that’s taxed, not the amount of money you receive. For example, if you bought a painting for £5,000 and sold it later for £25,000, you’ve made a gain of £20,000.
Capital Gains Tax might be payable if you:
- Sell an asset for more than you purchased it for
- gift an asset, such as an investment property, even though you haven’t received an money for it, you may have to pay a capital gains tax.
- Place an asset into a trust
- Take assets out of a trust
Somethings in may be possible to reduce or completely avoid capital gains tax with careful planning. In order to benefit from any capital gains tax allowances and tax reliefs you should seek professional advice from one of our trust experts.
At Jackson Lees, we have an established legal team that specialises in matters of wills, trusts, and probate. Our legal experts have decades of experience and can assist in all estate planning matters. Call today to receive the best legal advice for you. Alternatively you can make an enquiry below.