The reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) are now in force, fundamentally changing the inheritance tax (IHT) treatment of certain business and agricultural assets. With 100% relief now effectively capped at £2.5 million, tax planning
More about In Trust – May 2026What is a FIC? Broadly, a FIC is a bespoke private company which is usually set up to hold and invest assets as part of a long-term estate and succession plan. Due to the Inheritance Tax (IHT) restrictions on the
More about Family Investment Companies: a practical tool for long-term wealth planningFailure to comply with RFR can invalidate the transaction, expose trustees to criminal prosecution, and create personal liability risks that cannot be avoided by good intentions or delegation. Breaches cannot be remedied retrospectively. What is the Right of First Refusal?
More about The Right of First Refusal: what trustees must do before disposing of a freeholdRecent coverage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has reignited conversations about planning for the possibility of future incapacity, and the relationship between advance decisions and Health and Welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) is a frequent
More about Planning ahead: advance decisions and Lasting Powers of AttorneyThe restriction of the charity exemption for Inheritance Tax (IHT) was announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget and introduced in the Finance Act 2026. The new rules apply to deaths occurring on or after 6 April 2026, and for lifetime
More about Changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) relief on charitable giftsMarriage, cohabitation and joint property ownership each carry distinct legal and financial consequences, and it is vital to think carefully about these issues from the outset. Deliberate conversations and choices can help provide clarity, manage expectations and reduce uncertainty if
More about Protecting family wealth across relationshipsThe Chancellor’s recent UK Spring Statement reaffirmed her commitment to the government’s economic strategy and, crucially for private clients, did not contain any further adjustments to the reforms originally outlined in the 2024 and 2025 Autumn Budgets which are due
More about In Trust – March 2026Commentary has increased in the last month or so: ‘Inheritance Tax on pensions has triggered a middle class panic’ said The Sunday Times in its Money section. The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee also published a report at the
More about Inheritance tax on pensions is changing: how to prepare before 2027From 1 May 2026, the most far‑reaching reforms to the private rented sector in a generation, come into force. These reforms were introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and apply to all existing and new private residential tenancies, including
More about The accidental landlord: inheriting a tenanted property and obtaining vacant possession – key changes from 1 May 20262026 begins with renewed momentum: fresh starts, evolving rules for wealth and estate planning, and a lively political backdrop. After a year of significant change in terms of tax policy and regulatory frameworks, we hope that 2026 brings greater certainty,
More about In Trust – January 2026