Make a thoughtful plan for the future.

What is estate planning?

Estate planning means thinking ahead about what should happen to your money, property and belongings, and who should make decisions for you if you cannot. It is not only for wealthy people. For many families, it simply means having the right documents in place and understanding how things would work.

An estate plan might include a Will, one or more Lasting Powers of Attorney, and sometimes trusts. It can also include thinking about pensions, life insurance and Inheritance Tax. Our article on what estate planning can include explains more.

Who may find estate planning helpful?

People often look into estate planning when something changes in their life. For example, they may:

• have children or grandchildren they want to provide for
• have a blended family, with stepchildren or a second marriage
• own a home or other property
• own or run a business
• have assets or family abroad
• wonder whether Inheritance Tax might apply to their estate

Our guide to reviewing your plans after life changes covers some common triggers.

Inheritance Tax at a glance

Inheritance Tax is a tax on the estate of someone who has died. At the time of writing (October 2026), GOV.UK says:

• there is normally no Inheritance Tax to pay if the estate is below the £325,000 threshold
• the threshold can increase to £500,000 if you give your home to your children or grandchildren, depending on the circumstances
• the standard rate is 40% on the part of the estate above the threshold
• some gifts made in the seven years before death may also be taxed
• anything left to a spouse, civil partner or charity is usually exempt

The government has also announced that most unused pension funds and death benefits will be brought into the scope of Inheritance Tax from 6 April 2027. These rules can be detailed, and whether they affect you depends on your own circumstances. This is general information only, not tax advice. See the official GOV.UK guide to Inheritance Tax and the GOV.UK policy paper on pensions and Inheritance Tax. Our article on how Inheritance Tax works gives an overview.

What does an estate-planning professional typically do?

Depending on their qualifications and what you need, a professional may:

• look at the whole picture: family, property, savings, pensions and business
• explain how your estate might pass under your current arrangements
• suggest whether a Will, LPAs or trusts may help
• explain the general Inheritance Tax position, or give regulated tax advice if they are qualified to
• prepare the documents you decide to put in place
• suggest when to review your plans in future

The way you own your home can make a big difference. Our article on how property ownership affects inheritance explains the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common.

When specialist help may be particularly sensible

GOV.UK suggests getting advice about your Will in situations such as owning a business, having property overseas, or having a permanent home outside the UK. Specialist help is also often sensible when:

• your estate may be above the Inheritance Tax thresholds
• you have significant pensions, given the planned changes from April 2027
• you want to pass on a business or farm
• you have a blended family and want to make sure everyone is treated as you intend
• you are thinking about making large gifts during your lifetime

If you own a business, our guide to estate planning for business owners covers some of the points to consider.

Can I do it myself?

Some parts, yes. You can write your own Will, and GOV.UK lets you make an LPA online. Many people also use the free guidance on GOV.UK and MoneyHelper to understand the basics. But estate planning often involves several documents working together, and tax rules can change. Many people find it useful to have a professional look at the whole picture, especially if their circumstances are not simple.

Whoever you use, it is sensible to check their regulation, insurance and membership yourself. You can search the Solicitors Regulation Authority register to confirm whether someone is a regulated solicitor.

Financial advice about pensions and investments is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so if you need that kind of advice, ask whether the adviser is authorised.

What happens after you enquire

1. You answer a few questions. It takes a few minutes, and you can choose “I’m not sure” or skip some questions.
2. We read your enquiry. A member of our team looks at what you have told us.
3. We introduce you, with your permission. If we can help, we share your enquiry with up to three suitable firms, such as solicitors, will-writing companies or firms that offer estate-planning services, and email you their names. We aim to introduce you to firms that are appropriately qualified for your situation.
4. The firms contact you. Each firm explains how it can help, what it may cost and what happens next. You can compare them and decide whether to go ahead.

WillHarbour is an independent introduction service. We are not a law firm and we do not give legal, tax or financial advice. Sending an enquiry does not create a solicitor–client relationship with anyone. You can read more about how the process works and how we work with professionals.

How fees work

Using WillHarbour is free, and there is no obligation to go ahead with any firm we introduce. We do not set prices. Each firm sets its own fees and terms, and should explain them clearly before you decide anything. Ask them to put the costs in writing.

The firms we work with pay WillHarbour a fee for each introduction. You never pay us anything. Each firm must tell you about its referral arrangement with us, as well as its own fees, before you instruct it. If anything is unclear, ask them directly.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Inheritance Tax applies across the UK, but the law on Wills, inheritance and powers of attorney is different in Scotland, and some rules differ in Northern Ireland. At the moment we focus on England and Wales, so we may not be able to route enquiries from elsewhere. You can still send an enquiry and we will let you know if we can help.

For official information, see mygov.scot on Inheritance Tax and inherited money or the nidirect guide to making a Will.

Start planning

If you would like to talk your plans through, you can start your estate planning enquiry. You can also read about how trusts may fit in or Lasting Powers of Attorney.