The Rural Services Group

Wills, trust and estate planning

The largest and best private client team in the region, we offer specialist tax and succession planning advice for:

  • farmers
  • owners of landed estates
  • owners of rural businesses

We regularly advise on:

  • Succession planning
    - passing the farm, estate or business to the next generation
    - retirement tax planning
    - achieving equality and security within the family
    - protecting the farmhouse or family home

  • Creating bespoke Wills
    - to protect the family, preserve the business and keep taxes to a minimum
    - to deal with complex family circumstances and balance competing interests
    - to deal with complex or high value estates

  • Specialist Inheritance Tax issues
    - maximising business property relief
    - maximising agricultural property relief

  • Land with development value
    - minimising capital taxes on development land
    - tax advice on the creation of option agreements
    - tax advice on a gift or sale of land with development value

  • Dealing with illness and incapacity
    - effective preparation and use of Powers of Attorney
    - protective strategies to keep the business running in the event of illness
    - protecting the interests of an incapacitated person
    - dealing with the Court of Protection
    - funding nursing home fees
    - protecting the family home
    - management of complex assets

  • Advising when someone dies
    - applying for probate
    - keeping the farm or business running
    - dealing with inheritance tax
    - putting the terms of the Will into effect
    - protecting the security of surviving family members
    - dealing with the administration of complex and/or high value estates

  • All types of onshore and offshore Trusts
    - reviewing existing trusts on behalf of trustees or beneficiaries
    - advising on the suitability of existing trusts in the context of overall family and financial circumstances
    - drafting new trusts as part of a tax planning, wealth protection or succession strategy
    - administering ongoing trusts, dealing with the tax returns and providing an annual review and report to trustees
    - supporting the trustees with bespoke advice as required

  • Dealing with disputes - making or defending claims
    - challenges to the validity of a Will
    - challenges to the validity or use of a power of attorney
    - disputing the distribution of assets after death
    - disputing the actions of trustees or the distribution of trust assets

More information about our specialist wills service for clients with agricultural assets can be found here.

Contact: Jane Maitland