Inheritance Tax Planning
How many times would you like your family to pay inheritance tax on your estate? If you responded: 'at most once, ideally never', you're in the right place.
What is Inheritance Tax Planning (and why do you need it)?
When you die, HMRC totals up everything you own. Your property, savings, investments, pensions, even family heirlooms. If your estate exceeds £325,000 (the nil rate band), your family faces a 40% tax bill on the excess.
If you own your home and leave it to your children or grandchildren, you may claim an additional £175,000 allowance (the residence nil rate band). That's up to £500,000 tax-free for an individual, or £1 million for married couples and civil partners.
The problem? Your estate exceeds these thresholds. Without planning, your family could be writing a cheque to HMRC for 40% of everything you've worked to build.
Without proper inheritance tax planning, your loved ones could face:
- Hundreds of thousands of pounds lost to unnecessary tax
- Forced sale of assets including the family home
- A six-month deadline to pay the tax before they can access the estate
- Complex computations and costly mistakes
The Mathematical Challenge of IHT
I'm old enough to remember the Rumble in the Jungle, that famed fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Foreman made a gift of the boots he wore at the contest to my next-door neighbour Jacqueline, who was born on the day of the fight.
Auctioneers value the boots at £150,000. But a single boot is worth £60,000.
Jacqueline gave her brother one of the shoes. For inheritance tax purposes, she has only £60,000 worth of footwear left, therefore she has made a transfer of value of £90,000. Her brother, owning one shoe, has a £60,000 asset. However, if Jacqueline died within seven years of the gift, inheritance tax might be payable on £90,000.
It is on such mathematical puzzles that inheritance tax calculations are based.
There are hundreds of rules, exemptions, and allowances to inheritance tax. Inheritance tax planning uses these tactics to ensure you pay the right amount of inheritance tax, as near zero as the law allows you.
More useful than mere tactics is an assessment of your family and financial circumstances, blended with an understanding of how inheritance tax works, who pays it, and when they pay it.
That's where I come in.
How I Reduce Your Inheritance Tax Bill
You probably said 'at most once, ideally never'. Let's make it never. That, after all, is how the rich remain rich.
I want your family to pay the right amount of inheritance tax - as little as the law allows.. For want of a less well-worn phrase, he who fails to plan, plans to fail. I'll work out your IHT liability and lay out the steps required to help keep your money in your family.
Ready to begin? Take the first step and book your consultation

Meet Ade: Your Estate Planning Specialist
I take on only a handful of new clients each month because your family's future deserves proper attention, not to be rushed off a production line. When we work together, I guide you through every step, explaining complex legal and tax matters in plain English.
I've successfully helped thousands of families protect their estates and minimize inheritance tax. My average client eliminates their inheritance tax bill of hundreds of thousands of pounds… completely, but more importantly, they gain peace of mind knowing their family's financial future is secure.
Your family shouldn't have to sacrifice wealth you've spent a lifetime building simply because the right planning wasn't in place.
My approach
With 35 years of estate planning experience, I specialize exclusively in estate planning, inheritance tax mitigation, and probate administration across England and Wales.
Peace of Mind For Family Like Yours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is inheritance tax?
Inheritance tax is a tax on your estate when you die. Your estate includes everything you own: land and buildings, money, personal possessions, and investments. After deducting debts and funeral expenses, if the total value exceeds £325,000, your estate pays 40% tax on the excess.
What is the nil rate band (NRB)?
The nil rate band is the amount you can leave tax-free when you die. It’s currently £325,000 and has been frozen at this level since 2009. Any part of your estate above this threshold is taxed at 40%, unless other exemptions apply. Unused portions may be transfered to your surviving spouse or civil partner.
What is the residence nil rate band?
The residence nil rate band (RNRB) is an additional allowance of up to £175,000 if you leave your home to your children or grandchildren. Combined with the standard nil rate band, you can leave up to £500,000 tax-free (£1 million for married couples). If your estate exceeds £2 million, the RNRB reduces by £1 for every £2 over that threshold.
What is the spousal exemption?
Anything you leave to your husband, wife or civil partner is exempt from inheritance tax, regardless of value. When the first spouse dies, any unused nil rate band and residence nil rate band could be transferred to the surviving spouse.
What counts as part of my estate?
Anything you leave to your husband, wife or civil partner is exempt from inheritance tax, regardless of value. When the first spouse dies, any unused nil rate band and residence nil rate band could be transferred to the surviving spouse.
What counts as part of my estate?
Your estate is everything you own. This includes your home, land and buildings, savings, investments, vehicles, life insurance policies, business assets and pension savings. In short, everything you can sell or give away.
How can I find the cash to pay the IHT bill?
Inheritance tax must be paid within six months of death. That’s them rules. With planning, you can eliminate.
Take the next step in protecting your family's wealth
Whether you're just starting to think about inheritance tax planning or you need to review your previous arrangements, I'm here to help. Book a consultation to discuss your circumstances and find out how I can help you keep your money in your family.
You've worked too hard to let 40% of your wealth go to the taxman.