Inheritance Tax Planning for £500k-£2M Estates

James and Alison thought they were comfortably middle-class, not wealthy. Their £680,000 London semi-detached home, £180,000 in pensions, £95,000 in savings, and £45,000 in investments added up to exactly £1 million.

When James died unexpectedly at 52, Alison discovered their estate owed £70,000 in inheritance tax—money that forced her to remortgage the family home their two teenage children had grown up in. The couple had wills, but no inheritance tax planning whatsoever.

Inheritance tax receipts reached £8.2 billion in 2024/25, up 10.8% from the previous year. With thresholds frozen since 2009 and house prices rising, 38,500 more estates are now paying tax that was once reserved for the wealthy.

This guide explains exactly how estates between £500k and £2M can use legal strategies to reduce or eliminate inheritance tax liability—and why having a properly structured will is the essential foundation for all of them.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about inheritance tax planning and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Inheritance tax rules are complex and depend on individual circumstances. For advice specific to your situation, particularly regarding trusts, life insurance products, and complex estate planning, please consult a qualified solicitor, tax advisor, or independent financial adviser. WUHLD's online will service is suitable for straightforward UK estates; complex situations involving trusts, business property relief, or estates significantly over £1 million may require professional legal advice.

Understanding Your Estate's Inheritance Tax Position

Before you can plan effectively, you need to know whether you have an inheritance tax problem and how severe it is.

Your estate includes everything you own at death: property, pensions (from April 2027), savings, investments, life insurance policies not in trust, and business assets. Add them all up to get your total estate value.

The current tax-free allowance is £325,000—the nil rate band that's been frozen since 2009. If indexed to inflation, this threshold would now be approximately £500,000. If you own a home and leave it to direct descendants (children, grandchildren, step-children), you also get the £175,000 residence nil rate band. Combined, that's £500,000 tax-free for individuals, £1 million for married couples who can transfer unused allowances.

Everything above these thresholds faces inheritance tax at 40%.

Sarah discovered this arithmetic the hard way. As a widow with an £850,000 estate including her home, she qualified for the combined £500,000 allowance (her £325,000 plus her late husband's transferred £325,000, plus the £175,000 residence nil rate band). That left £350,000 taxable at 40%—a £140,000 bill her children had to pay within six months.

There's one more complication: the £2 million taper threshold. If your estate exceeds £2 million, your residence nil rate band reduces by £1 for every £2 over this limit. An individual with a £2.35 million estate loses the RNRB entirely. For couples, the threshold is effectively £2.7 million before complete loss.

Here's the IHT liability at different estate values:

Estate Value	Single Person (with RNRB)	IHT Due	Married Couple (combined allowances)	IHT Due
£500,000	£500,000 allowance	£0	£1,000,000 allowance	£0
£750,000	£500,000 allowance	£100,000	£1,000,000 allowance	£0
£1,000,000	£500,000 allowance	£200,000	£1,000,000 allowance	£0
£1,500,000	£500,000 allowance	£400,000	£1,000,000 allowance	£200,000
£2,000,000	£500,000 allowance	£600,000	£1,000,000 allowance	£400,000

Context matters: the average house price in London is £562,000, meaning many homeowners approach or exceed basic allowances with property alone. Add pensions, savings, and investments, and ordinary middle-class families suddenly face six-figure tax bills.

Why More "Ordinary" Families Are Caught in the Inheritance Tax Net

The nil rate band has been frozen at £325,000 for 16 years. That's not a policy oversight—it's fiscal drag by design.

In 2009, when the threshold was set at £325,000, the average UK house price was around £160,000. Today it's £270,000. In London and the South East, it's far higher. If the nil rate band had kept pace with inflation, it would now stand at approximately £500,000.

The residence nil rate band, introduced in 2017-18, reached £175,000 in 2020-21 and has been frozen at that level until 2030. Meanwhile, UK house prices rose 70% between 2009 and 2023.

The result? A stealth tax pulling middle-class families into what was designed as a levy on the wealthy. An estimated 10,500 additional estates will face inheritance tax for the first time in 2027-28, with 38,500 estates paying more than they would have under indexed thresholds.

Consider Sarah's story. She bought her London home for £280,000 in 2009. Today it's worth £550,000. Without any other assets, she's already approaching inheritance tax territory simply because she stayed in her family home for 16 years while thresholds stayed frozen.

The average increase in inheritance tax bills? £34,000 when pensions are included from April 2027.

This isn't about the ultra-wealthy anymore. It's about families like yours.

Critical Changes Coming in 2026-2027 (Act Before These Deadlines)

Two major rule changes are about to make inheritance tax planning more urgent and more complex.

April 2026: Business and Agricultural Property Relief Changes

Currently, business assets and farmland qualify for 100% inheritance tax relief at any value. From 6 April 2026, this changes dramatically.

The new rules provide 100% relief only on the first £1 million of combined business and agricultural property. Everything above that gets just 50% relief—creating an effective 20% tax rate on excess value.

A family business worth £2 million now faces £200,000 in inheritance tax: the first £1 million gets full relief, but the remaining £1 million gets only 50% relief, leaving £500,000 taxable at 40%.

The £1 million allowance doesn't transfer between spouses. If you own a business worth £1.8 million, you face £160,000 in tax (£800,000 at 50% relief = £400,000 taxable × 40%). Anti-forestalling rules apply to gifts made after 30 October 2024, so last-minute transfers won't escape the changes.

April 2027: Pensions Brought into Inheritance Tax

This is the change that will catch most people by surprise.

Currently, unused pension pots pass outside your estate, escaping inheritance tax entirely. From 6 April 2027, pensions are included in your estate value and subject to 40% IHT. The only exemption: pensions left to a spouse or civil partner remain tax-free.

David, a successful accountant, has a £400,000 pension and a £650,000 estate. Under current rules, his estate is under the £1 million couple's threshold. From April 2027, his total estate becomes £1,050,000—creating a £50,000 tax bill his children weren't expecting.

The impact is substantial: 10,500 estates will face inheritance tax for the first time, and average bills will increase by £34,000 where pensions are included.

These changes don't make inheritance tax planning less important. They make it essential.

Maximizing Your Nil Rate Bands (The Foundation Strategy)

Understanding and fully utilizing your available allowances is the foundation of every effective inheritance tax strategy.

You have two potential allowances: the £325,000 basic nil rate band available to everyone, and the £175,000 residence nil rate band if you own a home and leave it to direct descendants.

Direct descendants means children (biological, adopted, step-children, foster children), grandchildren, and their descendants. It does not include nieces, nephews, siblings, or other relatives. If you're leaving your home to anyone else, you lose the £175,000 RNRB.

For married couples and civil partners, unused allowances transfer automatically to the surviving spouse. Emma's husband died in 2015, using none of his allowances because everything passed tax-free to Emma. When Emma dies, she can use both her £500,000 allowances and her husband's transferred £500,000—creating a combined £1 million tax-free threshold for her children.

The downsizing provisions protect your RNRB even if you sell your family home. If you downsize from a £600,000 house to a £300,000 bungalow, you can still claim the full £175,000 RNRB as long as equivalent value (£175,000 or more) passes to your children from your estate. This matters enormously for people moving to smaller homes or care facilities in later life.

But there's a trap: the £2 million taper threshold. If your estate exceeds £2 million, your RNRB reduces by £1 for every £2 over the limit. An individual with a £2.35 million estate loses the residence nil rate band completely. For couples, the effective threshold is £2.7 million.

Here's what matters most: these allowances only work if your will is structured correctly. Your will must specifically leave your home (or equivalent assets) to qualifying descendants to claim the RNRB. A poorly drafted will that leaves "everything to be divided equally" without specifying property allocation can lose you £70,000 in unnecessary tax.

This is where creating a properly structured will becomes the essential foundation for all inheritance tax planning.

Strategic Gifting During Your Lifetime (The Seven-Year Rule)

Reducing your estate's value before you die is one of the most effective inheritance tax strategies available, but it requires understanding the seven-year rule.

Gifts to individuals are called Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs). They become completely tax-free if you survive seven years after making the gift. Die within seven years, and the gift may be taxable.

The timing matters enormously. Gifts made within three years of death face the full 40% rate. Gifts made between three and seven years before death benefit from taper relief, with tax reducing on a sliding scale:

Years Before Death	Tax Rate on Gift
0-3 years	40%
3-4 years	32%
4-5 years	24%
5-6 years	16%
6-7 years	8%
7+ years	0% (fully exempt)

Richard and Caroline, both 58, have a £1.2 million estate. They gift £200,000 to their adult children over three years, using annual exemptions and making potentially exempt transfers. If they both survive another seven years, that entire £200,000 becomes tax-free, reducing their estate to the £1 million threshold and saving their children £80,000 in inheritance tax.

You also have annual exemptions that work alongside PETs:

£3,000 annual gift allowance (you can carry forward one unused year, making a potential £6,000 gift)
Unlimited small gifts of £250 per person per year (to different people)
Wedding gifts: £5,000 to a child, £2,500 to a grandchild, £1,000 to anyone else
Regular gifts from income, as long as they're part of your normal expenditure and don't affect your standard of living

The strategy works, but timing is everything. A couple who gifts £100,000 to their daughter in 2025 and both survive until 2032 will save £40,000 in tax. If they die in 2028 (five years later), the gift benefits from taper relief, reducing the tax from 40% to 16%.

Two critical warnings: First, never gift so much that you compromise your own financial security. Care costs, unexpected expenses, and longevity matter. Second, keep meticulous records of all gifts—dates, amounts, and recipients. Your executors will need this information for HMRC reporting.

Your will should reflect your gifting strategy and updated estate values. As you reduce your estate through lifetime gifts, your executors need clear instructions for distributing what remains.

Life Insurance in Trust (Covering Your IHT Liability)

Even with the best planning, many estates will still face inheritance tax. The problem isn't just the tax itself—it's the six-month payment deadline.

Inheritance tax is due within six months of death, but assets like property and investments can take far longer to sell. Families face an impossible choice: sell the family home quickly at a discount, or borrow money to pay HMRC while waiting for probate.

Whole-of-life insurance written in trust solves this problem by providing immediate cash to pay the tax bill without forcing asset sales.

Here's how it works: You take out a whole-of-life insurance policy for the amount of your expected IHT liability. The policy is written into trust for your beneficiaries. When you die, the policy pays out directly to the trust—not your estate—providing tax-free cash your family can use to pay HMRC.

Michael and Susan, both 62, have a £950,000 estate. After utilizing their combined £1 million allowances (assuming they structure their wills correctly), they expect minimal IHT. But they worry about the April 2027 pension changes adding £300,000 to their estate value, creating a £120,000 tax liability.

They take out a joint whole-of-life policy for £120,000, written in trust. When the second of them dies, their children receive £120,000 in cash to pay the tax bill without selling the family home.

The trust is critical. Without it, the insurance payout gets added to your estate and taxed at 40%, creating a shortfall. A £120,000 policy added to your estate generates only £72,000 after tax—not enough to cover a £120,000 bill.

The policy must be written into trust at inception. Transferring an existing policy into trust can trigger ten-year anniversary charges on the premiums paid, reducing the benefit.

Types of trust matter. Discretionary trusts give trustees flexibility to distribute funds based on circumstances at your death. Bare trusts fix the beneficiaries and percentages now. Most inheritance tax insurance uses discretionary trusts for adaptability.

Cost increases with age and health status. A 45-year-old pays significantly less than a 65-year-old for the same coverage. Get quotes early if you're considering this strategy.

One important note: Life insurance and trust products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. WUHLD does not provide financial advice or sell insurance products. Speak with an independent financial adviser for product recommendations tailored to your circumstances.

The executors named in your will coordinate with insurance trustees to ensure the tax gets paid efficiently. Clear communication between your will and insurance arrangements prevents delays and complications during an already difficult time.

Charitable Giving (Reducing the Tax Rate from 40% to 36%)

If you're planning to leave money to charity anyway, you can potentially reduce your inheritance tax rate while creating a meaningful legacy.

The 36% rule works like this: if you leave 10% or more of your net estate to UK registered charities, the inheritance tax rate on the remainder drops from 40% to 36%.

The calculation uses your net estate—the amount after deducting nil rate bands, exemptions, and reliefs. For a £1 million estate with £500,000 in allowances, the net estate is £500,000. Leaving 10% (£50,000) to charity triggers the reduced rate.

Let's look at the mathematics with Patricia's £1 million estate:

Without charitable giving:

Estate: £1,000,000
Allowances: £500,000
Taxable: £500,000 × 40% = £200,000 IHT
Family receives: £800,000

With 10% charitable giving:

Estate: £1,000,000
Allowances: £500,000
Net estate: £500,000
Charity receives: £50,000 (10%)
Remaining taxable: £450,000 × 36% = £162,000 IHT
Family receives: £788,000
Charity receives: £50,000

By leaving £50,000 to charity, Patricia's family receives only £12,000 less (£788,000 vs £800,000), while her chosen medical research charity receives £50,000. The tax saving (£38,000) partially funds the charitable gift.

This strategy works best for estates significantly above the IHT threshold. At lower estate values, the 10% charitable gift might exceed the tax savings.

Qualifying charities include all UK registered charities and certain foreign charities. The gift must be specified in your will—either as a fixed amount ("£50,000 to Cancer Research UK") or as a percentage of your estate ("10% of my residual estate to the British Heart Foundation").

Robert and Helen, a childless couple with a £1.5 million estate, choose to leave £100,000 to three charities they've supported for years. Not only do they create a lasting legacy, but the 36% reduced rate saves their nieces and nephews £20,000 in inheritance tax compared to the standard 40% rate.

This strategy requires careful will drafting to specify charity gifts and percentages correctly. WUHLD's will service allows you to include charitable bequests with clear amounts or percentages, ensuring your intentions are legally binding and your executors can claim the reduced rate.

Spousal Transfers and Will Structures for Married Couples

How married couples structure their wills has an enormous impact on inheritance tax at both the first and second death.

The unlimited spousal exemption means transfers between UK-domiciled spouses and civil partners are always tax-free. Most couples use the simple "everything to each other, then to children" structure.

This works, but it's not always optimal.

Unused nil rate bands transfer automatically to the surviving spouse. If your husband dies leaving everything to you, he's used none of his £325,000 basic allowance or £175,000 residence nil rate band. When you die, you can use both his transferred allowances and your own—up to £1 million combined for couples.

The risk comes if your estate grows significantly between the first and second death. Thomas died in 2015 with a £600,000 estate, all passing tax-free to his wife Margaret. By 2025, Margaret's estate had grown to £1.4 million through property value increases and investment growth. At her death, even with the transferred allowances (£1 million total), her estate faces £160,000 in inheritance tax.

If Thomas had instead left £325,000 directly to their children using his nil rate band, with the remaining £275,000 to Margaret, the family's tax position might have been better—assuming Margaret didn't need the full £600,000 for her own security.

Advanced will structures use discretionary trusts on first death. Trustees can decide whether to use the deceased's allowances immediately (by distributing to children) or defer everything to the surviving spouse based on their financial needs. This flexibility protects the survivor while preserving tax efficiency.

For couples with unequal estates, equalizing matters. If one spouse has £1.2 million and the other has £200,000, consider lifetime transfers or asset reallocation to balance the estates around £700,000 each. This maximizes the use of both individuals' allowances and provides flexibility.

After the first death, the surviving spouse should review and update their will. Estate values change, family circumstances shift, and new inheritance tax rules (like the April 2027 pension changes) may require different strategies.

One powerful but underutilized tool: deeds of variation, which we'll discuss next.

Deeds of Variation (Post-Death Tax Planning)

Even the best estate planning can't predict the future perfectly. Deeds of variation give you a two-year window to restructure inheritances for tax efficiency after someone dies.

A deed of variation is a legal document allowing beneficiaries to redirect their inheritance within two years of death. The remarkable feature: for tax purposes, it's treated as if the deceased made the gift themselves, not the beneficiary.

This means no seven-year rule for the beneficiary, no capital gains tax issues, and the ability to optimize inheritance tax based on actual circumstances rather than predictions made years earlier.

Adult children commonly use deeds of variation to redirect inheritance to their own children, skipping a generation. Claire inherited her mother's entire £900,000 estate. Within 18 months, she executed a deed of variation redirecting £175,000 to her two children (using the residence nil rate band) and £50,000 to her mother's favorite charity (triggering the 36% reduced rate). The result: over £40,000 in inheritance tax savings compared to the original will.

Other common uses:

Redirecting assets to a spouse to use spousal exemptions
Utilizing unused residence nil rate band that wasn't structured in the original will
Adding charitable gifts to access the 36% reduced rate
Balancing inheritances between beneficiaries while minimizing tax

The requirements are strict: agreement from all affected beneficiaries, a written document, and notification to HMRC if the variation changes the tax position. You cannot use deeds of variation to benefit yourself—only to redirect your inheritance to others.

Margaret inherited everything when her husband died, then realized their combined estate exceeded £2 million and the residence nil rate band would be tapered away. She used a deed of variation to redirect £250,000 immediately to their children, bringing the estate back under the taper threshold and preserving the full RNRB.

The strategic value is enormous. Families can optimize inheritance tax after seeing the actual estate value, current tax rates, and beneficiaries' specific circumstances. Property values fluctuate, businesses change value, and pension pots vary—a deed of variation lets you adapt.

Time is critical: you have exactly 24 months from the date of death. No extensions are granted, regardless of circumstances.

Deeds of variation require professional legal advice to draft correctly and ensure they achieve the intended tax outcome. This isn't DIY territory—mistakes can be expensive and irreversible.

Even a basic will can be optimized post-death through a deed of variation, but starting with a well-structured will is always better. Your will reflects your intentions; a deed of variation simply fine-tunes the execution for tax efficiency.

Putting It All Together: Your IHT Planning Action Roadmap

Inheritance tax planning feels overwhelming because there's so much to consider. Break it into immediate, short-term, and ongoing actions.

Immediate Actions (This Month)

Start by understanding your position:

Calculate your total estate value: property, pensions (remember April 2027 changes), savings, investments, life insurance policies not in trust, and business assets
Determine your inheritance tax liability using current allowances: £325,000 nil rate band, £175,000 residence nil rate band if applicable, £1 million combined for couples
Create or update your will with beneficiaries clearly identified—this is the foundation everything else builds on
Review whether you qualify for the residence nil rate band based on your beneficiaries (must be direct descendants)

Short-Term Actions (Next 3-6 Months)

Once you understand your position, implement basic strategies:

Consider starting a regular gifting program using annual exemptions (£3,000) and potentially exempt transfers—even £10,000 per year becomes £70,000+ tax-free over seven years
If you're married: review whether your estates are balanced or if one spouse should transfer assets to equalize and maximize both allowances
If your estate exceeds £2 million: seek professional advice on trust structures and strategies to avoid the residence nil rate band taper
Get quotes for whole-of-life insurance in trust if your IHT liability is significant and you want to provide liquidity for your family

Medium-Term Actions (Next 1-2 Years)

For more complex situations, consider advanced strategies:

For business owners: review your Business Property Relief strategy before the April 2026 changes cap relief at £1 million—this is urgent if your business is worth over £1 million
For high-net-worth individuals: consider discretionary trusts, interest-in-possession trusts, or other advanced structures with professional legal advice
Review pension beneficiary nominations ahead of the April 2027 changes that bring pensions into your estate
Document all gifts and maintain a gift register for your executors—include dates, amounts, recipients, and whether annual exemptions were used

Ongoing Actions

Inheritance tax planning isn't a one-time task:

Review your will and IHT position every 2-3 years or after major life events: marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant wealth changes, property purchases
Monitor your estate value as property prices and investment values fluctuate—what's under the threshold today might exceed it tomorrow
Adjust your gifting strategy as your financial situation changes—you may be able to gift more (or need to gift less) based on income and expenses
Keep beneficiaries informed of your plans to avoid surprises and family conflict after your death

Professional Advice Thresholds

Not everyone needs expensive professional advice, but some situations demand it:

Under £750,000 estate: A properly structured will (WUHLD: £49.99) plus understanding of basic gifting strategies usually suffices
£750,000 to £1 million: Will plus basic strategies, potentially life insurance in trust (independent financial adviser consultation: £200-500)
Over £1 million: Professional tax and legal advice typically provides value (solicitor/tax advisor: £1,000-3,000+ depending on complexity)
Business owners, complex family structures, or estates over £2 million: Specialist estate planning advice essential

The cost-benefit analysis is clear: a £49.99 will from WUHLD plus a £500 financial planning session versus £40,000 to £200,000 in inheritance tax savings.

Inheritance tax planning isn't just for the ultra-wealthy. If your estate is worth £500,000 or more—and for many homeowners in London and the South East, it is—you need at minimum a clear will and understanding of available allowances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to worry about inheritance tax if my estate is worth £600,000?

A: It depends on your circumstances. If you're single and leave your £600,000 estate including your home to your children, you likely qualify for the combined £500,000 allowance (£325,000 nil rate band + £175,000 residence nil rate band), meaning only £100,000 would be taxable at 40% (£40,000 IHT). However, if you're married, you can combine allowances with your spouse, potentially eliminating IHT entirely. If your £600,000 doesn't include a home left to direct descendants, you'd only get the £325,000 basic allowance, resulting in £110,000 IHT liability. Use the calculations in this article to determine your specific situation.

Q: Can I give my house to my children now to avoid inheritance tax?

A: While it's possible to gift your home to children, this strategy has significant risks and complications. If you continue living in the property, HMRC may treat it as a "gift with reservation of benefit" and still include it in your estate for IHT purposes unless you pay market-rate rent to your children. Additionally, transferring property triggers potential Capital Gains Tax for your children when they eventually sell, and creates issues if they divorce, face bankruptcy, or predecease you. For most people, strategic gifting of cash combined with proper will planning is more effective and less risky. Speak with a solicitor before transferring property.

Q: What counts as a "direct descendant" for the residence nil rate band?

A: Direct descendants for RNRB purposes include your biological children, adopted children, step-children, foster children, and their lineal descendants (grandchildren, great-grandchildren). It also includes children for whom you were appointed as guardian or special guardian. However, it does NOT include nieces, nephews, siblings, or other relatives. If you're leaving your home to anyone other than these qualifying descendants, you won't be able to claim the £175,000 residence nil rate band, meaning your tax-free allowance is limited to the basic £325,000 nil rate band.

Q: How do the April 2027 pension changes affect my inheritance tax planning?

A: From 6 April 2027, unused pension funds and death benefits will be included in your estate for inheritance tax purposes. Currently, pensions pass outside your estate tax-free (though beneficiaries may pay income tax depending on your age at death). Under the new rules, an estimated 10,500 estates will face IHT for the first time, and 38,500 will pay more than previously. If you have a significant pension pot (£100,000+), you should review your retirement strategy with a financial adviser before April 2027. Options include drawing down pensions during retirement, using pension funds for lifetime gifting, or ensuring your spouse is the primary beneficiary (spousal transfers remain IHT-exempt).

Q: Is a deed of variation worth considering, and when would I use one?

A: A deed of variation can be valuable for optimizing inheritance tax after someone has died, but within the two-year window. Common uses include: redirecting inheritance from adult children to grandchildren to skip a generation and reduce future IHT; adding charitable bequests to trigger the 36% reduced rate instead of 40%; utilizing unused residence nil rate band that wasn't structured in the original will; or balancing inheritances between beneficiaries while minimizing tax. Deeds of variation require agreement from all affected beneficiaries and proper legal drafting. They're particularly useful when an estate's IHT position is worse than expected or when family circumstances have changed since the will was written. Speak with a solicitor specializing in probate to explore whether this option applies to your situation.

Q: Do I still need a will if I'm planning to give away most of my estate during my lifetime?

A: Absolutely. Even with aggressive gifting strategies, you'll still have assets when you die—your home (even if downsized), personal possessions, vehicles, any remaining savings, and potentially life insurance proceeds. Your will ensures these assets go to your chosen beneficiaries, names executors to manage your estate and pay any remaining IHT liability, appoints guardians if you have minor children, and provides a backup plan if your gifting strategy doesn't work as expected (if you die within the seven-year period). Additionally, your will coordinates with your gifting strategy by documenting your intentions and helping executors account for lifetime gifts when calculating IHT. A will is the foundation of all estate planning, regardless of other strategies you employ.

Take Control of Your Family's Financial Future

Inheritance tax planning for estates between £500,000 and £2 million comes down to five essential strategies:

Maximize your allowances: Use the full £500,000 (or £1 million for couples) through proper will structure that claims both nil rate band and residence nil rate band
Reduce your estate value: Strategic lifetime gifting using the seven-year rule and annual exemptions can remove hundreds of thousands from your taxable estate
Provide liquidity: Whole-of-life insurance written in trust gives your family cash to pay the tax bill without forced asset sales
Consider charitable giving: Leaving 10%+ to charity reduces the tax rate from 40% to 36% while creating a meaningful legacy
Stay informed: April 2026 and April 2027 bring significant changes to business relief and pension treatment that demand action now

Inheritance tax feels overwhelming because the stakes are high—this is your family's financial security, the home you've built together, the legacy you want to leave. But unlike many aspects of death and taxes, IHT is largely controllable through decisions you can make today.

The families who successfully protect their wealth aren't necessarily wealthier or more sophisticated. They're simply the ones who took action before it was too late.

Start with the foundation: create a legally valid will that structures your estate to maximize IHT allowances and clearly names your beneficiaries. With WUHLD, you can create a complete will online in just 15 minutes for £49.99—no solicitor appointments, no weeks of waiting, no hidden fees or subscriptions.

You'll receive:

Your complete, legally binding will
A 12-page Testator Guide explaining how to execute your will properly
A Witness Guide to give to your witnesses
A Complete Asset Inventory document to track your estate

You can preview your entire will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

The nil rate band has been frozen since 2009. Property values have risen 70%. Pensions enter estates in April 2027. Business relief gets capped in April 2026. The longer you wait, the fewer options you have.

Take the first essential step in protecting your family's inheritance today.

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