Wills and inheritance tax advice
A properly drafted will is one of the most effective tools in inheritance tax planning. Our senior-led team provides specialist wills and inheritance tax advice to help you structure your will, protect your estate and reduce unnecessary tax. A well-drafted will determines how your estate is distributed, how tax reliefs apply, and how efficiently your wishes are carried out.
If you are looking for general inheritance tax planning advice, we invite you to explore our main inheritance tax planning page for a broader overview of our approach.
Why your will matters for inheritance tax
If you die without a valid will (dying intestate), the law decides how your estate is distributed. This often fails to reflect your wishes and can expose your family to unnecessary inheritance tax. A carefully drafted will ensures that tax reliefs and exemptions, such as the Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band, are applied effectively.
How wills and tax planning work together
Your will is central to tax planning. It allows you to direct specific assets in a tax-efficient way, make use of exemptions, and appoint executors who understand your planning objectives. A well-structured will ensures your estate is passed on in line with your intentions while managing inheritance tax exposure.
Inheritance tax exemptions and reliefs you can access through a will
Key allowances and reliefs that can be secured through a properly drafted will include:
- Nil-Rate Band – currently £325,000 per individual
- Residence Nil-Rate Band – an additional allowance for passing on your main residence to direct descendants
- Spousal exemption – unlimited transfers between spouses or civil partners are exempt from inheritance tax
- Charitable exemption – gifts to qualifying charities are not taxed
- Business Property Relief (BPR) – may reduce or eliminate inheritance tax on qualifying assets (read more about BPR)
- Agricultural Property Relief (APR) – may reduce or eliminate inheritance tax on qualifying farmland and buildings
Your will ensures these reliefs are applied efficiently and in line with your wishes.
Deeds of variation: updating an estate after death
In some cases, beneficiaries can adjust how an estate is distributed after death through a Deed of Variation. This can help redirect assets into trusts or to other family members to improve tax efficiency or reflect family intentions. However, this must be done within two years of death and with the agreement of all affected beneficiaries. It is no substitute for proper planning through a will.
Why seek wills and inheritance tax advice from a specialist?
Drafting a will with inheritance tax efficiency in mind requires technical understanding of tax reliefs, exemptions, and estate structures. Our senior-led team ensures your will is designed not only to reflect your wishes, but also to reduce tax exposure and protect your estate for future generations. Clients value our discretion, clarity, and continuity of advice.
Take the next step with expert wills and inheritance tax advice
To arrange a confidential consultation on wills and inheritance tax advice, please use the form below or call us on 01962 856 990.
Please call us on 01962 856 990 or visit our contact page.