It never ceases to amaze me just how little, if at all, people really take advantage of their wills – you can save fortunes for your beneficiaries by making the best use of your will and other trusts to safeguard your property, your business and the other elements of your estate.
Take a simple example:
Assume you own and run your business. If you had passed away yesterday, what would have happened today? How many of your employees would have already looked on a recruitment website? Who would have signed that important cheque that needed to be paid out? A business will fade away fast unless there is some form of continuity, and with it goes potentially the biggest asset in your estate.
What about longer term? Do the other directors or partners have the option to buy out your share? How sound is your partnership or shareholder agreement and does that tally with your will?
And here is the “big one” – are you taking full advantage of Business Property Relief to mitigate your inheritance tax bill? During last couple of weeks, I have been dealing with a client that is, based on initial figures and before I have spoken to his accountant, going to save approximately half a million pounds from his inheritance tax bill. I can almost hear his children’s cry of thanks in the future! This man has been in business for forty years and has simply never been given the advice from someone that has the confidence and knowledge to put the right vehicle in place to make these savings.
I encourage you to contact me and discuss your circumstances, in confidence and with no obligation.
As for my original challenge – “I bet you are not making the most of your will” – I sincerely hope that you are, and with a relatively brief discussion, you can find out the answer to this challenge for your own satisfaction.
Antony Brinkman
The Willwriting Partnership
