Wills and inheritance

You have assets you’ve worked hard for, so it makes sense to see them passed on in the way you want. Directly, and as quickly as possible, to your family, friends or favourite charity. It also means you’ll spare your loved ones any extra stress when they’re least able to cope.

Here at Stephens Scown, our wills and inheritance lawyers can show you how you can take control of events. Making sure who will administer your estate and who will benefit from it. And, very importantly, how you can minimise the amount that is swallowed by inheritance tax.  Helping you to have your say now, and leave a valuable lasting legacy.

What our specialists say

From our long experience advising clients on the subject, we’ve pinpointed some key steps you can take now to smooth your affairs later:

• make your Will now while you still can
• don’t let the taxman be your main beneficiary
• if you already have a Will, keep it updated
• bear in mind family changes – births, marriages, divorces
• plan for everything, maximise benefits
• bequeath a successful business, not a burden
• urgently consider inheritance tax planning

Our recent experience includes:

• advising clients who had children from previous relationships and business interests in limited liability companies
• recommending flexible life interest Wills which included a separate nil rate band discretionary trusts with detailed letters of wishes
• ensuring that no inheritance tax would be payable on the death of first spouse – but that assets were available to pass to the deceased’s children
• working closely with our corporate team to put a shareholder agreement in place to deal with the death of a shareholder