Marcus thought estate planning was something he'd worry about later. At 42, with a £520,000 house, £180,000 in pensions, and two young children, he kept meaning to "sort things out" but assumed it was complicated and expensive. When his colleague died suddenly at 45 without any estate plan, Marcus watched the family face a £140,000 inheritance tax bill and a six-month probate nightmare that could have been avoided with basic planning.
Marcus isn't alone. According to recent data, 80% of high-net-worth individuals have digital assets not included in their estate plan, and a third are actively revising their strategies due to inheritance tax concerns. With HMRC collecting a record £7.5 billion in inheritance tax during 2023/24, and major pension inheritance tax changes coming in April 2027, estate planning has never been more urgent.
But here's the truth: estate planning isn't just for the wealthy, and it doesn't have to be complicated. This guide breaks down everything UK residents need to know about protecting their assets, minimizing tax, and ensuring their wishes are followed—from essential documents to advanced strategies.
What Is Estate Planning? (And Why It Matters in the UK)
Estate planning is organizing your affairs so your assets go where you want, when you want, with minimum tax and maximum protection for your family. It's not about obsessing over death—it's about taking control while you're alive.
Your "estate" includes everything you own: your home, savings accounts, investment portfolios, pension pots, life insurance policies, vehicles, valuable possessions like art or jewelry, digital assets including cryptocurrency, and business interests. If you can own it, it's part of your estate.
UK residents face specific considerations that make estate planning essential. Without a valid will, intestacy rules determine who inherits—and the government's distribution might be nothing like your wishes. Unmarried partners receive nothing under intestacy, no matter how long you've been together. Children under 18 can't inherit directly, creating administrative complications.
Estate planning matters beyond tax concerns. If you have minor children, only a will lets you name legal guardians. Without one, the courts decide who raises your children. If you're unmarried, your partner inherits nothing under intestacy rules—everything goes to your children or parents instead.
The numbers matter too. Median UK household wealth stands at £293,700, meaning many estates exceed the basic inheritance tax threshold when property is included. With property values rising and tax thresholds frozen, more families face unexpected tax bills.
The Four Core Elements of UK Estate Planning
Estate planning has four building blocks that work together to protect you during life and your family after death. You don't need all four immediately, but understanding each helps you prioritize.
1. Your Will (The Foundation)
A will controls who inherits your assets, who manages your estate as executor, and who raises your children as guardians. Without one, intestacy rules apply—the government decides everything based on a rigid formula that ignores your actual wishes.
Everyone over 18 with any assets or dependents needs a will. It's the foundation every other element builds on.
2. Lasting Powers of Attorney (Protection While Living)
LPAs protect you if you lose mental capacity through accident, illness, or dementia. You'll need two types: a Property and Financial Affairs LPA (who manages your money and property) and a Health and Welfare LPA (who makes medical decisions).
These documents are governed by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Without them, your family faces expensive Court of Protection proceedings to manage your affairs.
3. Inheritance Tax Planning (Keeping More for Your Family)
Inheritance tax planning means understanding the thresholds, using exemptions strategically, and structuring your estate to minimize the 40% tax rate. Key strategies include using spousal exemptions, making lifetime gifts within annual allowances, leaving 10% or more to charity (reduces rate to 36%), and considering trusts for large estates.
This element becomes critical as your estate approaches £325,000—or £500,000 if you're passing your home to children.
4. Trusts (Advanced Asset Protection)
Trusts are legal arrangements where trustees hold assets for beneficiaries according to your instructions. They're not for everyone, but become valuable for estates over £1 million, protecting vulnerable beneficiaries, providing for second marriages while protecting children from first marriages, and ensuring business continuity.
Most people start with a will and add complexity as their estate grows. That's exactly the right approach.
Understanding UK Inheritance Tax (The £7.5 Billion Question)
Inheritance tax feels complicated, but the basic structure is straightforward. Understanding it helps you plan effectively.
HMRC collected £7.5 billion in inheritance tax during 2023/24, representing a 12% increase from the previous year. Over 31,000 families paid the tax, with average bills of £243,000.
The standard threshold—called the nil-rate band—is £325,000. Everything above this amount is taxed at 40%. This threshold has been frozen since 2009 and will remain frozen until at least 2030.
An additional residence nil-rate band of £175,000 applies if you pass your home to children or grandchildren. This gives a total individual threshold of £500,000. However, this additional allowance tapers away if your total estate exceeds £2 million—you lose £1 for every £2 over the threshold.
Married couples and civil partners can combine their allowances. When the first partner dies, any unused threshold transfers to the survivor. This means a couple can pass up to £1 million tax-free when passing their home to direct descendants.
Several exemptions reduce your tax bill. Assets passing to a spouse or civil partner are completely exempt from inheritance tax, no matter the amount. You can give £3,000 per year in gifts with no tax implications. Small gifts of up to £250 per person per year don't count. Wedding gifts of up to £5,000 to a child are exempt (£2,500 to grandchildren, £1,000 to others).
If you leave 10% or more of your net estate to charity, the inheritance tax rate drops from 40% to 36%.
Consider Emma and David. They own a £500,000 home together plus £350,000 in other assets—total estate of £850,000. When David dies, everything passes to Emma tax-free under spousal exemption. When Emma later dies, their children inherit. The estate gets £325,000 nil-rate band plus £175,000 residence nil-rate band, doubled because David's unused allowances transferred—total £1 million tax-free. Their £850,000 estate pays no inheritance tax.
Without proper planning, this same couple might structure things differently and face unnecessary tax bills.
Your Estate Planning Checklist (Where to Start)
Estate planning feels overwhelming until you break it into manageable steps. Work through this checklist at your own pace.
Step 1: Calculate Your Estate Value
List all your assets with current values. Include your property (use recent valuation or online estimate), savings and investment accounts (check latest statements), pension pots (request current value), life insurance policies (death benefit amount, not cash value), vehicles (realistic market value), and valuable possessions (jewelry, art, antiques—be conservative).
List all liabilities too: outstanding mortgage balance, personal loans, credit card debt, and any other money owed.
Subtract liabilities from assets to get your net estate. This number determines whether you need inheritance tax planning beyond the basics.
Sarah calculates her estate: £450,000 house with £170,000 mortgage (net equity £280,000), £120,000 pension, £60,000 ISAs and savings, £15,000 car, £10,000 jewelry—total £485,000. She's approaching the £500,000 threshold where inheritance tax planning becomes important.
Step 2: Identify Your Beneficiaries
Who should inherit your estate? List everyone: spouse or partner, children (including stepchildren if appropriate), other family members, close friends, and charities you support.
If you have minor children, who should raise them as guardians? Consider practical factors: do they share your values, do children know them well, do they have space and financial stability, are they willing and able?
Who should be executors managing your estate? Choose people who are trustworthy and organized, preferably younger than you, capable of handling administrative tasks, and ideally living in the UK. You can name professionals like solicitors, but they charge fees.
Step 3: Create Your Will
This is the essential starting point everyone needs. You have three main options: solicitor (average £200-£650 for straightforward will), online service like WUHLD (£49.99 for complete package), or DIY will kits (£10-£20, but risky—easily invalidated by small errors).
Your will should cover executor appointments (who manages everything), beneficiary designations (who gets what), guardian nominations (who raises children), specific gifts (particular items to particular people), and residuary estate distribution (how to split everything else).
Don't put this off. A basic will takes 15 minutes with an online service and gives immediate peace of mind.
Step 4: Consider Lasting Powers of Attorney
Think about who you'd trust to manage your finances if you lost capacity. Who would make healthcare decisions if you couldn't? These are different skills—your financially savvy sister might handle money while your compassionate brother handles health decisions.
Registration currently costs £82 per LPA (increasing to £92 from 17 November 2025). You need both types for complete protection, so budget £164-£184 total. You can create them yourself using Office of Public Guardian forms or pay a solicitor £200-£500 per LPA for help.
Step 5: Review Beneficiary Designations
Some assets bypass your will entirely. Pensions use "expression of wish" forms—not legally binding but almost always followed. Life insurance policies can name beneficiaries who receive money directly, avoiding probate delays. Some bank accounts and ISAs allow designated beneficiaries.
Review these designations now. Make sure they align with your will and overall estate plan.
Step 6: Organize Your Documents
Your executor needs to find everything quickly. Create a master list showing where you keep property deeds, insurance policies, pension information, bank account details, investment statements, vehicle documents, and important passwords (stored securely).
Tell your executor where this list lives. Consider storing your original will with a solicitor (small fee) or bank safe deposit box, keeping a copy at home.
Step 7: Review Annually
Life changes. Review your estate plan every year and immediately after marriage (marriage revokes previous wills automatically), divorce (former spouses are treated as having died), children born, house purchase, business started, or large inheritance received.
Tax law changes too. The April 2027 pension changes affect anyone with significant pension wealth.
Common Estate Planning Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
These mistakes cost UK families thousands every year. Learn from others' errors.
Mistake 1: No Will at All
More than one in three UK adults have no will. When you die without one, intestacy rules apply—the government decides who inherits based on a rigid formula. Unmarried partners receive nothing. Your children might not get what you intended. The process takes longer and costs more.
Solution: Create a will immediately. With WUHLD, it takes 15 minutes and costs £49.99. Do it today, not "someday."
Mistake 2: Outdated Will
Sarah wrote her will before divorcing her husband. It named him as executor and main beneficiary. She meant to update it but kept procrastinating. When she died unexpectedly, her ex-husband inherited everything while her children from a new relationship got nothing. The family fought for 18 months.
Divorce automatically removes an ex-spouse as beneficiary in England and Wales, but they might still be named as executor or guardian. Why risk it?
Solution: Review your will after every major life change. Marriage, divorce, children born, house purchased, beneficiary died—all require updates. Set an annual calendar reminder.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Digital Assets
According to Saltus research, 80% of high-net-worth individuals have digital assets not included in their estate plan. What counts as digital assets? Cryptocurrency wallets, online businesses, social media accounts with commercial value, digital photo libraries, domain names, and digital subscriptions.
These assets can be worth thousands—or in some cases, hundreds of thousands. Without access information, they're lost forever.
Solution: Create a digital asset inventory listing each asset, where it's stored, and how to access it. Store this securely (not in your will, which becomes public). Tell your executor where to find it.
Mistake 4: Failing to Consider Inheritance Tax Early Enough
Many inheritance tax strategies require seven-year survival periods. Potentially exempt transfers—large gifts to family—only escape tax if you survive seven years after making them.
David gifted £200,000 to his children to reduce his estate, planning ahead. But he died five years later in an accident. The gift was still counted as part of his estate for inheritance tax purposes. His careful planning failed because of bad timing.
Solution: Start inheritance tax planning well before retirement if your estate approaches £325,000. The earlier you start using gift allowances, the more effective they become.
Mistake 5: Not Coordinating Pension Nominations
Pensions use "expression of wish" forms that tell the pension provider who should receive death benefits. These should align with your overall estate plan, especially with the April 2027 changes bringing pensions into estates for inheritance tax.
James had three different pension pots with different beneficiary nominations made at different times. One named his ex-wife, one named his children, one had no nomination. After death, the pension providers distributed differently, creating family conflict.
Solution: Review all pension expression of wish forms when you update your will. Make sure they all say the same thing and reflect your current wishes.
Mistake 6: Assuming Joint Ownership Solves Everything
Property owned as "joint tenants" passes automatically to the surviving owner, bypassing your will. Property owned as "tenants in common" lets each owner leave their share through their will.
This distinction matters for blended families and inheritance tax planning. Michael and his second wife owned their home as joint tenants. When Michael died, the house passed entirely to his wife. His children from his first marriage inherited nothing from the property, despite his wishes that they receive something.
Solution: Understand how you own property. Consider "tenants in common" ownership if you have children from previous relationships or need inheritance tax planning flexibility. A solicitor can change ownership structure for around £200.
When to Use Trusts in Your Estate Plan
Trusts sound complicated and expensive—and they can be. But for certain situations, they're incredibly valuable tools.
A trust is a legal arrangement where trustees (managers) hold assets for beneficiaries (recipients) according to rules you set. Three parties are involved: you as settlor (creating the trust), trustees (managing assets), and beneficiaries (receiving benefits).
When trusts make sense:
Large estates exceeding £1 million often benefit from discretionary trusts that reduce inheritance tax exposure over multiple generations. Vulnerable beneficiaries—disabled children, young grandchildren, or adults who struggle with money management—need protection trusts provide.
Second marriages create complexity. You want to provide for your current spouse while protecting inheritance for children from your first marriage. Trusts let you achieve both.
Business assets need careful handling to ensure continuity. Trading trusts can protect family businesses while using inheritance tax reliefs.
Property trusts give flexibility in passing your home to children while letting your spouse live there for life.
Common trust types:
Discretionary trusts give trustees full control over how and when to distribute assets. They're flexible but complex, with their own tax rules. Trustees decide who gets what and when, within the boundaries you set.
Interest in possession trusts give one beneficiary the income (or use of property) while capital remains protected for other beneficiaries later. Your spouse might have the right to live in the family home, with the property passing to children after their death.
Bare trusts are simple—the beneficiary has absolute entitlement to both income and capital at age 18. These are straightforward but offer limited control.
Trust tax implications:
Trusts have their own tax rates and allowances, different from personal tax. Setting up and managing trusts requires professional advice for all but the simplest situations.
When trusts are NOT needed:
If your estate is straightforward and under £1 million, you probably don't need trusts. Simple family structures (married couple with shared children, standard beneficiaries) rarely need trust complexity. Young families just starting out should focus on basic wills first.
The key message: start with a will. Consider trusts when your estate complexity or size warrants professional advice—usually around £1-2 million or when you have specific protection needs.
Estate Planning for Different Life Stages
Your estate planning priorities change as life evolves. Here's what matters most at each stage.
Your 20s-30s (Building Stage)
At this stage, you might think you have nothing worth planning for. Wrong. Even modest assets need direction.
Priority: Create a basic will, even with limited assets. If you die, who gets your car, your savings account, your student loan refund? Who looks after your dog?
Key consideration: If you have young children, naming guardians becomes critically important. This alone justifies creating a will immediately.
Action: A simple will covers everything you need. WUHLD's £49.99 service creates a legally valid will in 15 minutes. Do it before you need it.
Your 40s (Wealth Building Stage)
This decade sees serious wealth accumulation. Your home equity grows, pensions accumulate, and you might inherit from aging parents.
Priority: Create a comprehensive will and review it as your assets grow. Start considering inheritance tax planning if you're approaching the £325,000 threshold (easily reached with property ownership in many areas).
Key consideration: Your children are growing but still need protection. Guardian appointments remain critical. Education funds need protection if something happens to you.
Action: Complete a detailed will specifying all assets. Consider Lasting Powers of Attorney as you age. Review pension nomination forms to ensure they match your will.
Your 50s (Pre-Retirement Stage)
Peak earning years bring peak wealth accumulation. Your pension reaches its highest value. You might inherit from parents.
Priority: Develop a complete estate plan including will, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and serious inheritance tax planning. Your estate likely exceeds the nil-rate band once property is included.
Key consideration: The seven-year rule for gifts means strategies implemented now have time to mature before typical life expectancy. Act while you're healthy and capable.
Action: Create a comprehensive estate plan. Get professional inheritance tax advice if your estate exceeds £1 million. Establish both Lasting Powers of Attorney before any capacity issues arise.
Your 60s+ (Retirement & Beyond)
Now you're managing accumulated wealth, considering wealth transfer, and planning for potential care needs.
Priority: Keep your estate plan current with annual reviews. Implement wealth transfer strategies using gift allowances. Update Lasting Powers of Attorney if trustees' circumstances change.
Key consideration: The April 2027 pension inheritance tax changes significantly affect retirement drawdown strategies. Should you spend pension income or preserve other assets? Professional advice helps optimize this decision.
Action: Use annual gift exemptions (£3,000 per year) systematically. Consider downsizing and gifting proceeds. Coordinate estate planning with pension drawdown strategy. Review everything annually—life expectancy increases mean plans need longer-term thinking.
How the April 2027 Pension Changes Affect Your Estate Plan
A major change is coming that affects anyone with significant pension wealth. Understanding it helps you plan effectively.
What's changing: From 6 April 2027, unused pension funds and death benefits will be included in your estate for inheritance tax.
Current situation: Right now, pensions sit outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes. This makes them highly tax-efficient wealth transfer vehicles. Many people deliberately preserve pensions while spending other assets, knowing pensions pass tax-free (below age 75) or with only income tax (above 75).
New situation: After April 2027, pension pots become part of your taxable estate. They'll face the standard 40% inheritance tax above the nil-rate band. Combined with income tax for beneficiaries over 75, the total tax rate could reach 67% on some pension wealth.
Who's affected:
Government estimates show 10,500 estates will have new inheritance tax liability where previously they had none. This represents previously "safe" estates that will now face tax bills.
Another 38,500 estates will pay MORE inheritance tax than before. These already faced some tax but will see significantly higher bills.
The average inheritance tax increase will be around £34,000 for affected estates.
What to do now:
Review your pension expression of wish forms. Consider nominating your spouse or civil partner first—spousal exemption still applies, deferring tax until the second death.
Reassess your drawdown strategy. The conventional wisdom was "spend other assets first, preserve pension." That advice changes after April 2027. For some people, spending pension income in retirement now makes more sense.
Coordinate your pension strategy with your overall estate plan. Pensions no longer sit separate from everything else—they're integrated into total estate value for inheritance tax.
For large estates, get professional advice on whether to accelerate pension drawdown or continue current strategy. The answer depends on your age, health, spouse situation, and total estate value.
Exemptions that remain: Death in service benefits from registered pension schemes remain exempt. Dependant's scheme pensions from defined benefit arrangements also stay outside the estate. But most private pension pots—the kind most people have—will be included.
Consider Robert, age 76, with a £300,000 pension pot. Under current rules (before 2027), beneficiaries receive the pension and pay income tax on withdrawals—maybe 20-40% depending on their tax bracket. After April 2027, the estate pays 40% inheritance tax first (assuming the estate exceeds nil-rate bands), then beneficiaries pay income tax on what remains. The combined tax bite is much larger.
This isn't a reason to panic, but it is a reason to review your pension strategy with professional advice before April 2027 arrives.
Estate Planning Costs (From Free to Full Service)
Estate planning costs vary dramatically depending on complexity and approach. Understanding options helps you choose what fits your situation.
DIY Will
Cost: Free to £20 for will packs and online templates.
Pros: Cheapest option available. No appointments needed. Complete privacy.
Cons: High error risk—small mistakes invalidate wills. No legal advice when you need it. Not suitable for anything beyond the simplest estates. Many DIY wills are rejected during probate.
Best for: Almost nobody. The risks outweigh the minimal savings for such an important document.
Online Will Service (WUHLD)
Cost: £49.99 one-time payment, no subscriptions.
What's included: Legally valid will tailored to your situation, witness guide explaining proper execution, testator guide with important information, and estate information pack for your executor.
Pros: Affordable for most families. Quick process (15 minutes). Preview your complete will before paying anything. Legally compliant for straightforward estates. No ongoing fees.
Cons: Not suitable for very complex estates exceeding £2 million, overseas assets, complicated trust structures, or agricultural property.
Best for: Most people with straightforward UK estates. Couples. Families with guardian needs. Anyone with property, savings, and standard beneficiaries.
Solicitor Will
Cost: £150-£300 for simple wills, £650+ for complex wills with trust provisions.
Pros: Professional legal advice for complicated situations. Can handle complex tax planning. Will stored securely. Face-to-face consultation for those who prefer it.
Cons: Expensive compared to online services. Requires appointments during business hours. Process takes weeks or months. Not necessarily better for straightforward estates.
Best for: Very complex estates. Business owners with trading companies. Agricultural property owners. Overseas assets. Complicated family situations requiring detailed legal advice.
Full Estate Planning Service
Cost: £2,000-£5,000+ for comprehensive service including will, trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and ongoing inheritance tax planning.
What's included: Complete estate analysis, trust establishment and documentation, tax planning strategies, regular reviews, and ongoing legal advice.
Best for: Estates exceeding £2 million. Complex family structures (multiple marriages, estranged children, vulnerable beneficiaries). Significant inheritance tax liability. Business succession planning.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
DIY approach: £82 per LPA for Office of Public Guardian registration (£92 from 17 November 2025). You create documents yourself using official forms, then pay only the registration fee.
Solicitor assistance: £200-£500 per LPA including registration. Solicitor helps you complete forms correctly and registers on your behalf.
Both types needed: You need Property & Financial Affairs LPA plus Health & Welfare LPA for complete protection. Total cost: £164-£1,000 depending on whether you use a solicitor.
Free Wills Month
During March and October, Free Wills Month offers free simple will writing for people over 55 through participating solicitors. This can save £200-£300 if you qualify. You're invited (but not required) to leave a charitable legacy.
Cost comparison summary:
The key message: start with what fits your situation now. A £49.99 WUHLD will protects most families with straightforward estates. Add complexity—and cost—only as your estate requires it. A basic will today beats a perfect plan you never implement.
Your Next Steps: Starting Your Estate Plan Today
You understand what estate planning involves. Now it's time to act. Here's exactly what to do based on your situation.
If you have no will:
Stop everything and create one today. This is the single most important estate planning action. With WUHLD, it takes 15 minutes.
Why it's urgent: Intestacy rules leave your family facing government-determined distribution, potential conflicts over who manages the estate, and unnecessary costs and delays. If you have minor children and something happens to both parents, the courts decide who raises them.
What to do: List your main assets (house, savings, pension, valuables). Decide who inherits what. Choose an executor you trust. Name guardians if you have children under 18. Create your will online with WUHLD.
If you have an outdated will:
Review it immediately if any of these apply: married or divorced since you wrote it, children born, house purchased, moved to different UK jurisdiction (Scotland has different laws), main beneficiary died, or executor died or became unsuitable.
How to update: Minor changes can use a codicil (formal amendment). Major changes usually need a completely new will—simpler and clearer than multiple amendments.
Check now: When did you last review your will? If over three years ago, review it this week.
If your estate is approaching inheritance tax threshold:
Calculate your total estate value including property, pensions, savings, investments, and life insurance death benefits.
Threshold check: £325,000 individual nil-rate band. £500,000 individual with residence nil-rate band (passing home to children). Up to £1 million for couples passing home to direct descendants.
Next step: If you're within £50,000 of the threshold, implement basic inheritance tax planning strategies or consult a tax advisor. Small changes now can save tens of thousands later.
If you have no Lasting Powers of Attorney:
Consider who you trust completely to manage your finances if you lost capacity through dementia, stroke, or serious accident. Who would make healthcare decisions—potentially life and death choices?
Why it matters: Without LPAs, your family faces expensive Court of Protection proceedings costing thousands of pounds and taking months. They'll need court permission for routine financial decisions like paying your bills.
Cost: £82 per LPA to register yourself (£92 from 17 November 2025), or £200-£500 per LPA with solicitor assistance. You need both types for complete protection.
If your estate is complex (£2M+, business, overseas assets):
Don't try to handle this alone. Complex estates benefit enormously from professional planning.
Action: Consult a specialist estate planning solicitor. Look for Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) members who specialize in this area.
Why: Complex estates need sophisticated tax planning, trust structures, and business succession planning. Professional advice costing £2,000-£5,000 can easily save £100,000+ in inheritance tax and family disputes.
Cost: Yes, professional advice is expensive. But for complex estates, it's the cheapest money you'll ever spend when measured against tax savings and family harmony.
Key takeaways:
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy—anyone with assets, dependents, or wishes about inheritance needs at least a basic will. The four core elements are: will (foundation), Lasting Powers of Attorney (incapacity protection), inheritance tax planning (tax efficiency), and trusts (advanced protection for complex situations).
UK inheritance tax thresholds are frozen until 2030, and major pension changes arrive April 2027—acting now is critical. The window for tax planning narrows as you age, especially with seven-year rules for gifts.
Start with a will (15 minutes, £49.99 with WUHLD), then add Lasting Powers of Attorney and inheritance tax planning as your estate grows beyond £325,000. Complex situations justify solicitor involvement, but most estates are straightforward.
Review your estate plan annually and after major life events—marriage, divorce, children, property purchase, and significant inheritances all require updates. Laws change too, as the April 2027 pension changes demonstrate.
Your estate plan is one of the most loving things you can create for your family. It removes uncertainty during their grief, protects them from unnecessary tax, and ensures your life's work goes exactly where you want it. The hardest part is starting—and that takes just 15 minutes.
Create your legally valid UK will today with WUHLD—no appointments, no subscriptions, just £49.99 for complete peace of mind. Answer simple questions about your assets, beneficiaries, and guardians in about 15 minutes. Preview your will free before paying, and receive four essential documents: your will, witness guide, testator guide, and estate information pack.
While estate planning has many elements, a will is the foundation—and you can create yours right now.
Preview Your Will Free – No Payment Required
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about estate planning in the UK and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Estate planning involves complex legal and tax considerations that vary based on individual circumstances. For advice specific to your situation, including inheritance tax planning and trust structures, please consult a qualified solicitor or financial advisor. WUHLD's online will service is suitable for straightforward UK estates; complex situations involving business assets, overseas property, agricultural land, or estates exceeding £2 million may require professional legal advice.
Inheritance tax disclaimer: Inheritance tax rules are complex and subject to change. This article reflects current law and announced changes as of October 2025. For personalized inheritance tax advice, consult a qualified tax advisor or solicitor.
Pension changes disclaimer: The information about pension inheritance tax changes reflects government announcements as of October 2025. Implementation details may change before April 2027. For advice on how these changes affect your specific pension arrangements, consult a financial advisor.
Sources:
- GOV.UK - Inheritance Tax Thresholds and Interest Rates
- GOV.UK - Inheritance Tax Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band
- GOV.UK - Inheritance Tax Statistics Commentary
- GOV.UK - Inheritance Tax on Unused Pension Funds and Death Benefits
- ONS - Household Total Wealth in Great Britain
- Saltus Wealth Index - January 2023
- Citizens Advice - Who Can Inherit If There Is No Will
- GOV.UK - Make, Register or End a Lasting Power of Attorney
- GOV.UK - Check Who Can Apply for Probate and Inherit
- GOV.UK - Inheritance Tax Residence Nil Rate Band