Case Studies - Expert Insights in Estate Planning
Book a Discovery CallEstate planning law changes. Family circumstances evolve. Tax thresholds shift. My blog and case studies keep you informed – with practical, expert insights that help you understand your options and take action. All content is written from over 35 years of experience working with real families, business owners, and international clients. No jargon. No generic advice. Just expert guidance you can actually use.
Featured Case Studies
Case Study 1 – Cross-Border Expat Planning: UK, France and Spain
A UK national who had been living in France for 20 years held a primary residence in France, a holiday property in Spain, and a rental property in the UK. His family faced potential inheritance tax exposure in all three jurisdictions, plus the risk of French forced heirship rules affecting the distribution to his UK-based children.
Working with local advisors in France and Spain, I designed a UK estate plan incorporating a UK discretionary trust to hold the UK property, a carefully structured will aligned with Brussels IV election, and a lifetime gifting programme to reduce the taxable estate. The result: a cohesive plan that removed double taxation exposure and ensured assets passed as intended – saving an estimated six-figure sum in avoidable inheritance tax. Key strategies: discretionary trust, Brussels IV election, coordinated UK/French/Spanish wills, annual gifting programme.
Case Study 2 – Business Succession: Family to the Next Generation
A family business owner in his late 60s held 100% of shares in a qualifying trading company worth approximately £2.4 million. His estate also included a family home worth £850,000 and investment ISAs of £320,000. Without planning, his estate faced an inheritance tax liability of over £600,000.
I designed a succession plan utilising 100% Business Property Relief on the qualifying business shares, a life interest trust for the family home protecting the surviving spouse while preserving the property for children, and a lifetime gifting programme from ISA income using the normal expenditure from income exemption. Total inheritance tax liability was reduced from over £600,000 to under £60,000 – a saving of over £540,000. Key strategies: Business Property Relief, life interest trust, normal expenditure from income exemption, spousal exemption.
Case Study 3 – Modern Family Inheritance Protection: Blended Family with Vulnerable Beneficiaries
A client in her second marriage had two children from her first marriage and one stepchild from her new husband’s previous relationship. One of her children had learning disabilities and was in receipt of means-tested benefits. Her estate included joint property, individual savings, and a pension.
I designed a will incorporating a life interest trust for her share of the property (protecting her children’s inheritance from remarriage or care fees), a discretionary trust for her disabled child aligned with Special Needs Trust best practice (preserving means-tested benefit entitlements), and specific legacy provisions for her stepchild. All three children were protected and the disabled child’s benefit entitlements were preserved. Key strategies: life interest trust, discretionary trust for vulnerable beneficiary, specific legacy provisions, pension nomination update.
Contact:
Tel & WhatsApp: +44 (0)7831 379562
Email: help@theinheritanceguru.com
Socials: @theinheritanceguru