Overview

Our impressive team of lawyers has a considerable breadth of experience. Working closely with our clients, we understand the importance of protecting their assets. We provide expertise in all aspects of succession planning including a bespoke will writing service.

A tax efficient and up-to-date will is an essential part of succession planning and a reassuring document to have in place. Our lawyers draft Wills for a range of clients, including businessmen, professionals, entrepreneurs, landowners, farmers and foreign nationals.

As part of this high quality service, our lawyers also advise on relevant tax matters and inheritance tax reliefs, the use of trusts for tax planning and asset protection purposes and how to deal with succession issues for clients with family businesses.

The cost of preparing wills varies according to the complexity of your affairs and requirements. For more information, contact our estate planning lawyers.

Areas of focus

Our advice to clients on succession planning focuses on the following:

  • Tax planning to ensure our clients benefit from the appropriate exemptions and tax reliefs.
  • Ensuring wills are in place for our clients and their families, both for UK and international succession.
  • The creation and management of trusts to protect wealth for future generations.
  • Advising on and implementing alternatives to trust structures (eg family investment companies and family limited partnerships).
  • Advising on the formation of off-shore trusts and structures through our established network of contacts in various jurisdictions.
Experience

Drafting wills to ensure full use is made of the 36 per cent rate of inheritance tax with charitable gifts, IHT nil-rate bands (including transferable and residence nil-rate bands) and business and agricultural property reliefs.

Fitting wills and structures to help families in business pass the business onto the next generation.

Using trusts to secure family wealth for future generations, ensure fair treatment between family members and that beneficiaries inherit when they are ready to.

Meet the team
Jim Aveline

Jim Aveline Partner

  • Private Client Services
  • Family Offices and Family Businesses
  • Food and Farming
Tom Hewitt

Tom Hewitt Partner

  • Private Wealth
  • Head of Estates and Land
  • Head of Food and Farming

What others say...

The Burges Salmon team is sensible and strategic but with a human touch. They have a fantastic trusts and estates practice.

Chambers UK 2024

Key contact

Jim Aveline

Jim Aveline Partner

  • Private Client Services
  • Family Offices and Family Businesses
  • Food and Farming

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