Take Control of Your State

You may have been directed to this page by your solicitor or adviser because you are likely to face an Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill, and would benefit from a clearer understanding of the options available to you.

This is not unusual. Many people reach this point simply because wealth has built up over time and the rules have become more complex. What often begins as a manageable position can quietly turn into a significant tax liability.

A common situation

We regularly work with individuals who have done many of the right things over the years, yet still find themselves exposed to IHT.

Typically, they have:

01

A valid Will in place

02

One or more pensions, including SIPPs or other defined contribution arrangements

03

Property and additional investments

04

Advice from different professionals at different times

Despite this, there is often no single, joined-up IHT strategy. Planning tends to be fragmented, with decisions made in isolation rather than as part of an overall plan.

The result is that estates remain exposed to substantial tax, even though legitimate planning options may still be available during lifetime.

What we do

We specialise in helping individuals understand their IHT exposure, assess the options available to them, and ensure that any planning is properly structured and co-ordinated.

Our role is not to replace your solicitor, financial adviser, or tax specialist, and we do not sell products.

Instead, we focus on:

Reviewing your overall position at a strategic level

Identifying where IHT risk arises

Explaining the options that may be available to you

Designing a clear and practical strategy

Co-ordinating with your existing advisers to ensure the strategy is implemented correctly

Who this is typically for

Our work is most often relevant for individuals who:

How this differs from traditional advice

Most people already have advisers.

The challenge is that IHT planning often spans multiple disciplines, and no single professional is responsible for pulling everything together.

Our role is to step back and look at the estate as a whole, ensuring that:

  • Decisions made in one area do not undermine another

  • Planning remains coherent and practical

  • Nothing important is overlooked

Projects typically take 6 to 9 months, allowing time for careful consideration and proper implementation.

Regulation and professional working

We do not provide regulated investment advice.

Where regulated advice is required, we work alongside:

  • FCA-regulated investment managers

  • Pension advisers

  • Tax specialists

  • Your existing solicitor

This ensures that all advice is given within the appropriate regulatory framework, while you benefit from a joined-up outcome.

What happens next

There is no obligation and no pressure.

If your solicitor has suggested an introduction, they will normally arrange this directly.

An initial conversation is simply an opportunity to:

  • Discuss your IHT position at a high level

  • Explain how the process works

  • Help you decide whether further work would be beneficial

If it is not appropriate, nothing further happens.

Many families only discover the true impact of Inheritance Tax too late, when options have already fallen away.

This work is about understanding your position early enough to make informed decisions, with clarity and confidence, for both you and those who may one day have to deal with your affairs.

Estate Architect provides educational research and analysis relating to inheritance tax and estate planning concepts for UK residents. We do not provide regulated investment, tax, or legal advice and are not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Where regulated advice is required, introductions may be made to authorised professionals.

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