Estate & Life Planning
Get in touchAt Professional Accountants, we help individuals and families and across the UK navigate the complexities of estate & life planning with clarity, care, and long-term foresight.
Whether you’re planning to protect your wealth, support your loved ones, or align your legacy with your values, our advisors offer comprehensive solutions that ensure your assets are preserved, your wishes are respected, and your future is secure.
Why Is Estate Planning Important for Families and Individuals?
Estate and life planning is essential for anyone who wants to ensure their assets are transferred efficiently, their dependents are cared for, and their end-of-life wishes are legally documented.
Failing to plan can result in lengthy probate processes, unnecessary inheritance tax burdens, and disputes between heirs. Proper estate & life planning puts you in control, giving you peace of mind that your legacy will be handled as intended, whether you’re preparing for retirement, dealing with long-term care concerns, or safeguarding generational wealth.
What Does Estate and Life Planning Cost in or Around ?
The cost of estate and life planning ranges from £500 to over £5,000, depending on the complexity of your circumstances and the level of service required.
Costs are primarily influenced by factors such as the inclusion of wills and lasting powers of attorney, the creation of trusts for asset protection, inheritance tax mitigation strategies, and business or family succession planning.
Contact Professional Accountants to get customised prices for creating a tailored plan that protects your assets and supports your long-term wishes.
What’s Included in a Comprehensive Estate and Life Plan for Clients?
A comprehensive estate and life plan brings together legal, financial, and personal elements to ensure long-term security and peace of mind, typically including:
Will drafting or review – Ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes and reflects current legislation.
Trust creation and management – Establishes structures to protect assets, reduce inheritance tax, and provide for future generations.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) assessment – Evaluates your current exposure and identifies strategies to minimise liabilities.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) – Sets out who can make health, welfare, and financial decisions on your behalf if needed.
Retirement income strategy – Aligns pensions, investments, and savings to support lifestyle needs in later life.
Philanthropic and charitable planning – Incorporates giving strategies that reflect your values while offering tax advantages.
Long-term care planning – Considers future healthcare needs and how costs will be funded without eroding your estate.
Business succession planning – Prepares for ownership transfer, continuity, or sale to secure your company’s legacy.
Lifestyle and life goal alignment – Integrates personal aspirations and financial priorities into a cohesive, evolving plan.
Can Estate Planners Work Alongside Solicitors, IFAs, and Accountants?
Effective estate & life planning frequently requires working with solicitors for will and trust preparation, with financial advisers (IFAs) for investment strategy and pension planning, and with accountants for tax-efficient structuring and compliance.
A well-coordinated team ensures nothing is missed and that your financial, legal, and personal priorities are aligned.
How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan Based on Life Changes?
It’s recommended that residents review their estate & life plans at least every 3–5 years, or sooner if there are significant life events such as marriage, divorce, a new child or grandchild, a property purchase, a business sale, or a change in tax law.
Regular updates help keep your documentation current and your strategy aligned with your evolving goals and circumstances. Many advisors offer annual or biennial check-ins as part of ongoing planning services.
Contact Professional Accountants for a consultation on getting estate and life planning services.
How Can Life Planning Help Align Financial Goals With Personal Values?
Estate and life planning helps clients identify what truly matters and build financial strategies that reflect their personal beliefs and long-term goals.
Whether it’s supporting a cause, helping children get on the property ladder, or achieving a comfortable retirement, life planning allows you to shape your finances in a way that serves both your lifestyle and your legacy. Advisors often use a values-based approach to ensure your plan reflects who you are and what you care about most.
Do Planning Services Cover Wills, Trusts, Inheritance Tax, and Power of Attorney?
Estate and life planning services typically include all key elements required to protect assets, ensure control, and minimise tax liabilities, such as:
Will drafting and review – Creates or updates legally valid wills to ensure assets are distributed according to your wishes.
Trust establishment – Sets up discretionary, life interest, or family trusts to safeguard wealth and support future generations.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning – Utilises the nil rate band, residence nil rate band, and other reliefs to reduce IHT exposure.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) – Appoints trusted individuals to make financial, health, or welfare decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity.
Document management and storage – Offers digital vaults or secure storage to keep critical documents safe and accessible.
Is Estate Planning a Cost-Effective Way to Protect Assets for Future Generations?
When done early and correctly, estate and life planning is a cost-effective way to safeguard wealth for families who lose tens or hundreds of thousands in unnecessary taxes or legal fees due to poor planning or lack of documentation.
By taking proactive steps, such as gifting assets, setting up trusts, and using exemptions, you can reduce or eliminate inheritance tax liabilities and ensure your beneficiaries receive their inheritance efficiently and intact.