Estate preservation is about more than passing on wealth. It ensures your money reaches the right people, at the right time, in the right way. With thoughtful planning, you can reduce the impact of taxes, minimise delays, and protect your legacy.
At integra, we take a long-term view. We help individuals and families create estate strategies that reflect their goals, values, and circumstances—offering reassurance and practical support for the future.
Why Estate Preservation Matters
A will is essential, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Without wider planning, your estate could face unnecessary inheritance tax, costly care fees, or delays in probate. These risks can reduce the value passed on to your loved ones.
By acting early, you can minimise liabilities, protect family wealth from avoidable costs, and ensure your wishes are followed. Good planning also helps avoid disputes and eases the burden on those managing your estate.
Using Trusts and Gifting Strategies
Trusts allow you to control how and when assets are passed on. You can place conditions on access, protect family money across generations, and in some cases, remove assets from your estate after a certain period for inheritance tax purposes.
Gifting is another valuable approach. You can give away up to £3,000 a year (your annual exemption) without affecting inheritance tax. Larger gifts may also fall outside your estate if you survive seven years from the date of the gift.
Under the current rules, gifts made regularly out of surplus income can also be exempt from inheritance tax. This is an increasingly useful option for those with steady income and predictable expenses. It allows you to reduce your estate while supporting family members over time.
Planning for Inheritance Tax
Inheritance tax is charged at 40% on estates above the nil-rate band. For most, property makes up the largest portion of their estate—so even modest assets can trigger a tax liability. However, allowances like the residence nil-rate band can help reduce the amount due.
Advanced strategies may be suitable for larger or more complex estates. These include: Gifting to discretionary trusts through Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs) and Chargeable Lifetime Transfers (CLTs); Business Relief (formerly Business Property Relief), which can exempt certain business assets from inheritance tax after two years of ownership, and; Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes (SEIS), which offer tax reliefs in return for investing in UK businesses
These solutions require careful consideration and aren’t appropriate for everyone, but they can play a significant role in an effective estate strategy.
Taking Advice and Gaining Peace of Mind
No two estates are the same. That’s why personalised advice is essential. A financial adviser will assess your situation, explain your options, and design a plan that supports your objectives—whether you’re focused on minimising tax, protecting assets, or making lifetime gifts.
At Integra, we guide clients through every stage of the estate planning process. We’ll help you provide for your children, contribute to grandchildren’s education, or leave a meaningful legacy to charity.
Estate planning isn’t just financial, it’s personal. It’s about knowing that what matters to you will be respected, and that your family will be cared for long into the future.
We’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us to find out more.
