Guide

Inheritance Tax & Estate Planning Guide

IHT and Estate Planning guide image

Helping You Plan What Happens to Your Wealth in the Future

Estate planning is about more than deciding who inherits your assets. It is about helping to protect your loved ones, ensuring your wishes are understood and managing potential tax liabilities where appropriate.

Our comprehensive Inheritance Tax & Estate Planning Guide explains the key areas of estate planning, including inheritance tax planning, wills, lasting powers of attorney, gifting strategies and pension beneficiary nominations. Whether you are reviewing existing arrangements or starting to plan for the future, this guide will help you better understand your options and the steps you can take to support your long-term estate planning objectives.

What’s covered?

  • How inheritance tax works and current allowances
  • Understanding the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band
  • Strategies for reducing inheritance tax
  • Lifetime gifting rules and exemptions
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney explained
  • Writing and reviewing your will
  • Digital assets and online accounts
  • Pension beneficiary nominations
  • Estate planning checklist
  • When to seek professional legal, tax and financial planning advice

Why Estate Planning Matters

Many people delay estate planning because it can feel uncomfortable to think about the future. However, putting the right arrangements in place now can help protect your family from uncertainty later.

A well-structured estate plan can help you:

  • Control how your assets are distributed
  • Reduce inheritance tax liabilities where appropriate
  • Protect vulnerable beneficiaries
  • Avoid complications caused by intestacy rules
  • Ensure trusted individuals can make decisions on your behalf if needed
  • Create a lasting legacy for future generations

With inheritance tax charged at up to 40% on qualifying estates, planning ahead can make a significant difference to the wealth passed on to your beneficiaries.

Important Note

The information contained within this document is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.

This article is distributed for educational purposes only. This communication does not constitute financial advice. Individuals must not rely on this information to make a financial or investment decision. Before making any decision, we recommend you consult your financial planner to take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation and individual needs.

The opinions stated in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of Progeny and should not be relied upon to make a financial decision.

Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed.

Any links to third party websites provided are for convenience only. We do not control, endorse, or guarantee the content, accuracy, or availability of these external sites. Users access these links at their own risk.

Inheritance Tax & Estate Planning Guide

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Meet the expert
Rebecca Best
Rebecca-Best
Partner

Rebecca has experience of dealing with a broad range of private client matters including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work, the administration of estates, tax and succession planning, and the administration of trusts. Rebecca advises a wide range of clients including high net worth individuals.

Rebecca joined Progeny in 2015 having previously trained at Gordons LLP. Rebecca is a fully qualified member of STEP (the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners).

In her spare time Rebecca enjoys travelling and taking her dog for walks in the Yorkshire countryside.

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