Certificate in Estate Planning - In 1 Day

Introduction

With more clients facing potential Inheritance Tax liabilities, effective lifetime planning is becoming increasingly important.

Frozen tax thresholds and changes to the treatment of business assets, agricultural property and pensions are prompting clients to ask what they can do during their lifetime. However, understanding the IHT rules is only part of the challenge.

This virtual classroom seminar focuses on the planning conversation: how to take instructions, identify the client's objectives and circumstances, choose an appropriate strategy and put it into effect. It will consider lifetime gifting, trusts, the family home and financial products that can sit alongside the legal advice, as well as the important limits on IHT planning. It will also address how to advise clients who have recently received an inheritance or other significant windfall, with practical case studies used throughout.

It is suitable for newly qualified solicitors, trainees, paralegals and solicitors from other disciplines moving into private client work, as well as accountants, IFAs and wealth planners who advise on estates.

The session complements Certificate in Wills & Probate - In 2 Days - Learn Live which focuses on will drafting and estate administration. This session instead concentrates on advising living clients and developing, implementing and reviewing effective IHT planning strategies.

What You Will Learn

The live and interactive session will cover the following:

• The planning meeting - effective fact-finding, establishing objectives, assessing capacity and advising couples and families
• IHT essentials and the key 2026-2027 changes, including their impact on existing planning
• Lifetime gifting strategies - what to give, when to give it and to whom, including gifts out of income
• Gifts with reservation and Pre-Owned Assets Tax - identifying the common pitfalls
• The limits of IHT planning - why historic schemes may no longer work and how to advise clients considering arrangements such as giving away the family home
• Financial products and estate planning - pensions from April 2027, life policies in trust, discounted gift and loan trusts, bonds and BPR-qualifying investments
• Inheritances and windfalls - deeds of variation, disclaimers, redirecting assets to the next generation and lifetime gifting
• Choosing and establishing trusts - matching the trust to the client's objectives, entry and ten-year charges and trust registration
• The family home - key planning options, limitations and potential pitfalls
• Business owners and farmers - planning in light of the new Business Relief and Agricultural Relief limits
• Protecting the family - second marriages, vulnerable beneficiaries, divorce and potential Inheritance Act claims
• Care fees and deprivation of assets - distinguishing legitimate planning from arrangements that may be challenged
• Reviewing existing plans and reducing negligence risk - effective file notes, advice letters and working with IFAs

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.