Wills, Trusts & Estates · Recent Inheritors
Part of our wider Wills, Trusts & Estates services
Estate Planning After Receiving an Inheritance
Receiving an inheritance often changes your estate significantly — and may push your own estate into inheritance tax territory for the first time. It is also an opportunity to redirect assets in a more tax-efficient way before they become part of your estate.
We advise recent inheritors on deed of variation, updating their wills, IHT planning on their new estate, and how to protect their inheritance for the next generation. Chester-based, acting across Cheshire, North Wales and England and Wales.
No obligation — talk through your options first. Costs explained clearly.
What to consider after receiving an inheritance
Deed of variation — redirect the inheritance
Within two years of the death, you can redirect all or part of your inheritance to someone else — for example, to your children — using a deed of variation. This can reduce IHT on the original estate and on your own estate, and is one of the most powerful planning tools available to recent inheritors.
Update your will
Your inheritance may have significantly changed the value of your estate. If your existing will does not reflect your new circumstances — or if you do not have a will — now is the time to act.
IHT exposure review
If your inheritance has pushed your estate above the IHT threshold, we advise on the planning options available — including lifetime gifting, trust structures, and making the most of your nil rate band.
Inherited property
If you have inherited property, we advise on the IHT and CGT implications of keeping, selling, or transferring it — and how it should be addressed in your own will.
Protecting the inheritance for the next generation
We advise on how to structure your estate so that your inheritance passes to your children or grandchildren in the most tax-efficient way possible.
The two-year window for deed of variation
A deed of variation must be executed within two years of the date of death. After that, the opportunity is lost. If you have recently inherited and are considering redirecting any part of your inheritance — to children, grandchildren, or charity — you should take advice as soon as possible.
Find out more about deed of variation →The team advising recent inheritors
Darren Steele
Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member
Inheritance & Estate PlanningDarren advises recent inheritors on the full range of estate planning issues — including deed of variation, IHT planning on their new estate, and how to structure their inheritance to benefit the next generation.
Laura Kirton
Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified
Post-Inheritance PlanningLaura regularly advises clients who have recently inherited on updating their wills and estate plans to reflect their new circumstances. She understands the emotional complexity of this period and provides clear, practical advice.
David Stahler
Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive
Estate PlanningDavid is our first point of contact for recent inheritors enquiring about estate planning. He brings a warm, personable approach to what can be a sensitive time.
Nikolina Vukovic
Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates
Wills & Estate AdministrationNikolina supports recent inheritors through the process of updating their wills and estate plans — ensuring their new assets are properly addressed and protected.
Related estate planning services
Deed of Variation
Redirect an inheritance within two years of death.
Inheritance Tax Planning
IHT mitigation strategies for your new estate.
Wills
Update your will to reflect your new circumstances.
Inheritance Tax Calculator
Estimate your inheritance tax exposure after inheriting.
Trusts
Trust structures to protect your inheritance for the next generation.
Case Studies
Anonymised examples of tax savings achieved for inheritors.
Related: Probate
Probate Solicitors
Grant of probate, estate administration and executor support.
Applying for Probate
How to apply for a grant of probate — step by step.
Full Estate Administration
We manage the entire process from asset valuation to final distribution.
Executor Advice
Practical guidance for executors — duties, liability and family disputes.
Do I Need Probate?
When probate is required and when it is not.
Probate Fees
Transparent pricing for probate and estate administration.
Related: Lasting Power of Attorney
Lasting Power of Attorney
Appoint someone you trust to manage your affairs if you lose capacity.
Types of LPA
Property & Financial Affairs vs Health & Welfare — which do you need?
Making an LPA
Step-by-step guide to making a lasting power of attorney.
LPA Costs
Solicitor fees, OPG registration fees and what affects the total cost.
Registering an LPA
How to register an LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Court of Protection
If a loved one has lost capacity without an LPA, a Court of Protection order may be needed.
Make the most of your inheritance.
Speak to a specialist about estate planning after receiving an inheritance. Costs explained clearly before any work begins.
No obligation — talk through your options first. Chester, Cheshire & North Wales.
Request a free initial consultation
Tell us about your inheritance and we will explain your options — no obligation, costs clear from the outset.