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Wealth Structuring Legal Services
When managing wealth, individuals and families usually have two main objectives - to have sufficient funds to support their lifestyle, and to ensure their estate is distributed fairly according to their wishes after they die.
While there is a valid and interesting economic debate to be had around whether tax increases as opposed to tax competitiveness are the way forward, we encourage you to take action now in line with your own family values and objectives, rather than short term tax implications. This is the most important place to start ahead of documenting your wishes in a Will.
What do I need to consider when drafting a Will?
A Will is perhaps the most important document a person ever signs. If you die without making a Will, then it is left to the law to determine who inherits your property and who is responsible for administering your estate and distributing your property. This may lead to unwanted and/or uncertain succession and tax consequences. The process of preparing a Will ensures that loved ones are provided for in the manner you want, and offers great peace of mind. It also gives the opportunity to consider the likely tax exposure on your death, avoiding any unnecessary payments.
How can I ensure my Will is utilising the most efficient structure for my personal and family values?
We will work with you to help you grow, preserve and distribute your wealth amongst the generations during your lifetime and after death. The ways in which you can manage this vary depending on your personal circumstances and the tax requirements at any given time. These could involve lifetime giving or holding assets through trusts and other asset protection structures.
These structures will also depend on your residency and domicile status, whether your assets are currently held in trusts, or whether you are a landowner or business owner, with assets in either the UK or abroad. We are able to assess your personal circumstances in the round, and find pragmatic and commercial solutions to complex situations. Please click on the links above to find out more about how we advise you in these specific circumstances.
Probate and estate administration: What will happen following my death?
It is important that these matters are administered sensitively and efficiently. We can assist with anything and everything that is required following a death including:
- obtaining grants of representation (typically, a grant of probate) both overseas and in the UK;
- advising on complex succession issues;
- advising executors (together or individually) on their responsibilities;
- providing a full tax compliance service in estate administration and to ensure the most tax effective devolution of the estate; and
- advising on beneficiary’s / beneficiaries’ rights.
We are frequently asked to co-ordinate the winding up of international estates, often with assets of substantial value held in a variety of jurisdictions. For more information about this, please click here.
For more information about trust establishment and administration, please click here.
The strength of the department is in the breadth. They have an advantage over other firms in having a much broader scope."
Charles Russell Speechlys "have industry stalwarts and are known for their expert knowledge and experience."
Meet our weath structuring lawyers
Related pages
International Wealth Structuring
We advise international individuals, and their trustees and advisers, on the establishment and administration of asset holding structures.
Mental Capacity & Court of Protection
For those preparing documents to help protect finances and welfare when you no longer have the capacity to act.
Private Property
For those with personal property assets or those looking to purchase them.
Private Wealth
We enable people to make the most of their wealth now and in the future. No other private wealth law firm has the scale, reach and breadth of services.
Private Wealth Disputes
We provide tailored solutions for all varieties of domestic and international disputes for families and private wealth professionals.
Reputation Management
Our team of experienced media dispute specialists is highly attuned to advising private individuals on ‘reputation management’ issues.
Tax Disputes & Investigations
Handling disputes and investigations for you across all areas of tax.
UK Trust Establishment, Administration & Taxation
For those wishing to utilise trust structures and the administration of this.
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