Wills, Trusts & Estates · Case Studies
Estate Planning Case Studies
The following anonymised case studies illustrate the type of inheritance tax savings that can be achieved through specialist estate planning. All names and identifying details have been changed.
These case studies are for illustrative purposes only. The outcome in any individual case will depend on the specific facts and circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
What specialist estate planning can achieve
The case studies below show real planning outcomes — with the numbers changed to protect client confidentiality. In each case, the client came to us without a plan in place. In each case, proper planning made a significant difference.
Landlord with investment portfolio — IHT reduced by £280,000
Retired landlord, Cheshire · Estate: £1.4m (4 buy-to-let properties + main home)
IHT before
£320,000
IHT after
£40,000
Saving
£280,000
The situation
A retired landlord came to us with a portfolio of four buy-to-let properties and a main residence. His estate was valued at approximately £1.4 million. He had no will and had not considered inheritance tax. His two adult children stood to inherit — but faced a potential IHT bill of over £300,000.
What we did
- Drafted a new will with a life interest trust for the main residence, protecting the residence nil rate band
- Advised on severing the joint tenancy on the main home to allow the will trust to operate
- Structured a programme of annual gifts to the children within the annual exemption
- Advised on a potentially exempt transfer of one property to the eldest child, starting the seven-year clock
- Drafted Lasting Powers of Attorney for property and financial affairs
The outcome
Estimated IHT liability reduced from approximately £320,000 to approximately £40,000 — a saving of £280,000 for the family.
Family business — Business Property Relief maximised
Business owner, North Wales · Estate: £2.1m (trading company + personal assets)
IHT before
£200,000
IHT after
£50,000
Saving
£150,000
The situation
A business owner in North Wales owned a trading company worth approximately £1.5 million and personal assets of £600,000. He had an existing will that left everything to his wife. He had not considered the interaction between Business Property Relief and his overall estate plan — or the impact of the 2024 Budget changes to BPR.
What we did
- Reviewed the business structure to confirm BPR eligibility on the company shares
- Advised on the impact of the April 2026 BPR cap (100% on first £1m, 50% on excess)
- Drafted a new will with specific provisions for the business shares and a discretionary trust for the excess
- Advised on a cross-option agreement with the co-director to provide liquidity for the estate
- Structured the personal estate to make full use of the nil rate band and residence nil rate band
The outcome
With the new structure in place, the estimated IHT liability on the business assets was reduced from approximately £200,000 (post-2026 rules) to approximately £50,000 — and the family has a clear succession plan.
Farming family — Agricultural Property Relief protected
Farming family, Cheshire/Welsh Borders · Estate: £3.2m (farm, farmhouse, agricultural land)
IHT before
£440,000
IHT after
£80,000
Saving
£360,000
The situation
A farming family came to us following the October 2024 Budget announcement on Agricultural Property Relief. Their farm — including the farmhouse, agricultural land, and farm buildings — was valued at approximately £3.2 million. Under the new rules from April 2026, they faced a potential IHT liability of up to £440,000 where previously there would have been none.
What we did
- Reviewed the farm structure to confirm APR eligibility on all assets, including the farmhouse
- Identified diversified activities (holiday lets) that may not qualify for APR — and advised on restructuring
- Advised on lifetime gifts of agricultural land to the farming successor, starting the seven-year clock before April 2026
- Drafted new wills for both spouses with farming-specific provisions and a discretionary trust for non-farming children
- Advised on the interaction between APR and BPR on the farming business
The outcome
By acting before April 2026, the family was able to reduce their projected IHT liability from approximately £440,000 to approximately £80,000 — and put a clear succession plan in place for the next generation.
Blended family — children from first marriage protected
Retired professional, Chester · Estate: £850,000 (main home + savings)
IHT before
Unplanned
IHT after
Optimised
Saving
Family protected
The situation
A retired professional came to us after remarrying. He had two adult children from his first marriage and a new spouse. His existing will — made before the second marriage — had been automatically revoked. Without a new will, his estate would pass under the intestacy rules, potentially leaving his children from the first marriage with nothing.
What we did
- Drafted a new will with a life interest trust for the main residence — allowing the new spouse to live there during her lifetime, with the property passing to the children on her death
- Advised on severing the joint tenancy on the main home so the will trust could operate
- Made specific cash legacies to the children from the first marriage, payable immediately on death
- Drafted Lasting Powers of Attorney for both spouses
- Advised on the IHT position and the use of the nil rate band and residence nil rate band
The outcome
Both the new spouse and the children from the first marriage are now protected. The estate plan reflects the client's wishes — and significantly reduces the risk of a contested estate.
High earner approaching retirement — pension IHT planning
Senior executive, Cheshire · Estate: £1.8m (main home + pension + investments)
IHT before
£360,000
IHT after
£120,000
Saving
£240,000
The situation
A senior executive approaching retirement came to us following the 2024 Budget announcement that pensions would be brought into the IHT net from April 2027. His pension pot was worth approximately £800,000 — currently outside his estate for IHT purposes. From 2027, this would add significantly to his IHT liability.
What we did
- Reviewed the full estate — property, pension, ISAs, and other investments — to calculate current and projected IHT exposure
- Advised on pension drawdown strategy to reduce the pension pot before April 2027
- Structured a programme of lifetime gifts to children within the annual exemption and potentially exempt transfer rules
- Drafted a new will with a discretionary trust for the residue, providing flexibility for the trustees
- Advised on the use of the nil rate band and residence nil rate band
The outcome
By restructuring the pension drawdown and implementing a gifting programme, the projected IHT liability was reduced from approximately £360,000 to approximately £120,000 — a saving of £240,000.
Estate planning services
Inheritance Tax Planning
IHT mitigation strategies, lifetime gifting, and nil rate band planning.
IHT Calculator
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Business Owners
Business Property Relief and succession planning.
Landlords & Investors
Estate planning for property portfolio clients.
Farmers & Rural Landowners
Agricultural Property Relief and farming succession.
2024 Budget Changes
What the October 2024 Budget means for your estate.
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