Inheritance tax can reduce the value of an estate by up to 40%. Currently, the first £263,000 for the financial year 2004/05 of an estate does not attract inheritance tax, but a large number of properties alone can exceed this figure without including the other assets you would wish to pass on to your family. Estate planning is therefore an important consideration. Inheritance tax becomes payable on the death of an unmarried person or on second death of a married couple. We have the ability to write joint life, second death policies which can be written in trust for the beneficiaries of your Will. These policies then fall outside the estate and pay the inheritance tax bill, leaving your beneficiaries to inherit the maximum benefits of your estate. The alternative would be for your estate’s assets to be sold to cover the tax bill which may not be the course you would like to take. Please click to request more information.