Trust and Estate Planning

Who should be concerned with trust and estate planning? The answer is often “it depends….”

The reason the answer to the above question is vague is because as individuals we tend to be different and equally we tend to have differing objectives.

Many uncertainties and variables exist when considering trust and estate planning such as:

· “how long have I to live?”

· “will I be in remain in good health?”

· “I want to provide for my partner and family but don’t really want them to have control, is there a way to do something?”

What we hope to do when considering trust and estate planning for you is to help you identify issues that you need to consider and then making appropriate suggestions for courses of action that you might wish to consider detailing the effect of those actions with possible outcomes.

The legislation that governs passing on your estate as efficiently as possible to your chosen beneficiaries requires you to plan well in advance. Since none of us know when it is our turn to pass away, sensible planning can never sometimes be done soon enough.

Trusts are relatively easy and very tax efficient way to set aside assets for future beneficiaries outside of the inheritance tax net. We can advise on the most suitable type of trust for your purposes, assist in the process of setting up the trust, and provide a full range of accounting and tax services for the trust.

Acting earlier may increase your chances of taking full advantage of the tax opportunities currently available and thereby maximising the amount that goes to your beneficiaries.

It is equally important when planning to transfer your estate that you make adequate provision for yourself and partner. Achieving this balance calls for considerable skill and foresight - and a detailed knowledge of the tax regime.

We can provide a private and confidential trust and estate planning service which includes:

· Help you identify issues that you need to consider when considering trust and estate planning

· Help with reviewing and drawing up your will

· Making full use of exemptions and lower tax rates on lifetime transfers

· Optimising on lifetime transfers between partners

· Advise and assist with the transferring agricultural or business property

· Transferring assets into trust