Estate Planning Service
Full Estate Planning Service
A Will is an important starting point. It is far better to have a Will in place than to have no Will at all.
However, a straightforward Will usually leaves assets directly to the people you choose. Once those assets have passed to them, they become part of their estate and may be exposed to future risks.
If you have been referred to us, or you are already thinking about putting a Will in place, this page explains why a more structured estate planning approach may be worth considering.
These risks can include:
Marriage After Death
If your surviving spouse or partner were to remarry, remarriage generally revokes any existing Will. This could mean assets pass to a new spouse or their family, rather than to your children or chosen beneficiaries.
Divorce or Separation
If a beneficiary receives assets outright and later divorces or separates, their inheritance may be taken into account as part of financial proceedings.
Creditors or Legal Claims
If a beneficiary has financial difficulties, creditor issues or other legal claims against them, assets inherited outright may be at risk.
Loss of Mental Capacity
If you lose mental capacity, Powers of Attorney allow the people you trust to make decisions about your property, finances, health and welfare.
Care Fees and Means-Tested Benefits
Assets left directly to a surviving spouse, partner or beneficiary may be assessed for care fees or means-tested support. This could affect the help or benefits available to them.
Generational Inheritance Tax
Assets left directly to beneficiaries may increase the value of their own estate. This can mean inheritance tax is paid again as assets pass from one generation to the next.
At Carr Mitchell, our Full Estate Planning Service uses a tried and tested combination of Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney to help protect against these risks.
We can look at both personal and business assets, and help you understand what planning may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Our main focus is on death planning solutions — making sure your assets pass in the right way, to the right people, with as much protection as possible. Where lifetime planning advice is needed, we can refer you to a specialist firm. We will explain this during your call if it is relevant.
How the Full Estate Planning Service Works
Complete Your Estate Planning Form
| Asset | Client 1 | Client 2 | Joint | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Residence | ||||
| Other Property (UK) | ||||
| Foreign Property | ||||
| Savings & Investments | ||||
| Business Assets | ||||
| Agricultural Assets | ||||
| Life Assurance / Protection | ||||
| Pension (death-in-service) | ||||
| Expected Inheritance | ||||
| Other Assets | ||||
| Liabilities / Mortgages | ||||
| NET ESTATE |
Book Your Free 30-Minute Call
We will then arrange a free 30-minute call to talk through your estate planning form and understand your main areas of concern.
This may include protecting your family, reducing inheritance tax, keeping assets within your family bloodline, planning for care fees, protecting beneficiaries from divorce or creditors, or making sure the right people can act for you if you lose capacity.
Receive Your Free Estate Planning Report
Based on the information you provide, we will prepare a written Estate Planning Report free of charge.
The report will outline our recommendations and explain how you may be able to protect against the scenarios that concern you most.
It will also include a clear quote for any recommended work, so you know exactly what is involved before deciding whether to proceed.
Taking Your Instructions
If you would like to go ahead, we will arrange a convenient time to take your full instructions.
During this appointment, we will confirm the planning you would like to put in place, answer any questions and arrange payment before your documents are prepared.
Preparing and Sending Your Documents
Once everything has been agreed, your documents will be prepared and posted to you.
We will provide clear guidance on how your documents should be signed, dated and witnessed correctly. We will also confirm how to return your signed documents to us for secure storage.
Ready to Protect Your Family’s Future?
Complete your Estate Planning Form and book your free 30-minute call.
We will review your circumstances, talk through your areas of concern, and explain what planning may be right for you and your family.
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