Inheritance tax is charged at 40% on the value of your estate in excess of the nil rate band, which is the portion of your estate which can pass tax free upon your death. Of course, if your estate is valued less than the nil rate band, currently £325,000 (2015/16), then inheritance tax will not be payable. Equally, if you leave your estate, or a proportion of it, to your spouse/civil partner there will also be no inheritance tax. The nil rate band of a surviving spouse/civil partner who inherits assets from his or her spouse/civil partner will be proportionately increased depending on how much is received.
Whilst such basic planning is effective for inheritance tax purposes there is no protection against future residential care home fees and the risk that your partner may remarry. Family trusts offer extra flexibility in your inheritance tax planning making provision for both your spouse/civil partner and children regardless of whether your partner later remarries or moves into residential care.
For anything further, one of our specialists would be delighted to meet you either in our office or in your own home to talk through your requirements and answer any questions. Please contact us at any time.
Key Contacts
Latest News
Meet the Leisure Team – Jane Meikle.
With 20+ years’ experience in the North East, Jane loves the variety of work on her desk and the long-standing client relationships she’s built, some going back 15 years or more.
Read her Q&A - https://tinyurl.com/3spe3ub4
#MeetTheTeam #Leisure #Banking #Finance
Oct 16
Innovating in digital health? AI? Patient safety? Workforce development? There`s a category for you.
The 20th Bright Ideas in Health Awards has 14 categories open for entry — and as a proud sponsor, we want to see YOUR team`s work up on that stage.
Entries close Friday 27 November 2026.
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/bdfm5djr
#BIHA20
Oct 16
October is Menopause Awareness Month.
From April 2027, employers with 250+ staff are expected to publish Equality Action Plans, including how they support employees going through menopause.
Is your workplace ready? https://tinyurl.com/yc4bywfe
#Menopause #MenopauseAwareness #EmploymentLaw #EqualityActionPlans #HR #Workplace
Oct 16
We’re delighted to be recognised once again in the Chambers UK 2027 guide.
✅ 16 practice areas ranked in the North of England
✅ 5 departments recommended UK-wide
✅ 40 Sintons lawyers individually ranked
https://tinyurl.com/49jsp25x
#ChambersUK #Chambers2027 #LegalRankings
Oct 15
We’re proud to be sponsors of #GlowOutLoud, supporting the life-changing work of @cbituk.
Looking forward to an afternoon of colour, connection and impact in support of children and families affected by brain injury.
Oct 15
‘Deprivation of Liberty: as the courts continue to grapple with the consequences of AGNI, Re PK & MK provides important guidance on a critical question: where Article 5 falls away, what safeguards remain to protect vulnerable adults?’
https://tinyurl.com/5e4kdatp
Oct 15
