AFH Trusts & Estate Planning

The must-have conversations

Helping you discuss your future plans

When it comes to family, the most important conversations can sometimes be the ones we put off until it’s too late. This often includes what you would like to happen with your wealth when you’re no longer here or are too ill to make the decision for yourself.

When you have worked hard to accumulate your wealth, it’s important to ensure your assets will pass to the people you want them to, or will be looked after by someone you trust.

We have a deep understanding of our clients’ needs, which enables us to provide a seamless and efficient service in the following areas:

Probate and estate administration
Wills, Trusts and estate planning
Lasting Powers of Attorney applications
Court of Protection applications

As a company, we always put our clients first, meaning we treat everyone with respect and listen to our clients to put them at ease. By doing this, we remove the stress that’s all too often involved with making wills and dealing with probate, especially when it’s a complex or challenging case.

Furthermore, you will have access to solicitors through AFH who are members of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (ALL), which sets the gold standard for our industry and ensures you’ll be dealt with in a friendly and professional way.

Whether you are looking to create a will, a Lasting Power of Attorney or deal with the death of a loved one, we’re here to help.

AFH Trusts and Estate Planning

Planning for the future to ensure your wealth is protected for your loved ones no matter what happens is vital. Taking action to ensure that this happens, means you can rest easy that your wishes will be carried out exactly as you would want them to be.

In addition, it can provide higher levels of protection for your family’s future inheritance when the time comes.

Couple Talking To Female Financial Adviser

Probate

AFH understand the need to support clients during especially difficult times. Our probate service ensures that we can help clients to deal with the estate of loved ones, working in a way that encompasses our key value of putting the client's needs first.

You will be looked after by solicitors who are highly experienced in probate and estate administration. They will use clear and jargon-free language, together with a friendly, understanding and professional approach, removing anguish that is all too often caused by the complex world of probate, so that you can get on with the process of recovering from the loss of your loved one.

Lasting Power of Attorney

This is a legal document that allows you to nominate someone you trust to look after your affairs if you’re no longer able to. The people you choose are known as your ‘attorneys’, and once appointed, can make decisions about your property and finances, as well as your health and welfare. For example, once registered, your attorneys can make decisions regarding your bank accounts, investments, paying bills and selling your property. Taking the time to put an LPA in place early provides reassurance for the future, ensuring your wealth and affairs can be managed if you have an accident or if you're seriously ill and no longer able to make decisions for yourself.
Wills

It is important to make a will to ensure that your wealth is passed on to the people you would want it to be when the time comes. In addition, it can help to make sure it’s done as smoothly and efficiently as possible, reducing the stress for your loved ones at an already difficult time. Careful planning could also allow you to reduce Inheritance Tax, meaning you pass more of your wealth to the people you want, instead of paying a significant Inheritance Tax liability.

Asset Preservation Trust for Death in Service and Pensions

An Asset Preservation Trust (APT) provides a legal framework that helps to protect your pension fund or employers Death in Service (DIS) payment should you die. Once the Trust is created, your pension fund and/or DIS benefits will be placed into the Trust when you pass, rather than be directed to specific individuals. Once transferred, the assets sit outside of any individual estate, which provides significant protection against future inheritance tax. In addition, it ensures that your assets are used in line with your wishes for many years to come, even when you are not there.
Single Person Beneficiary Protection Plan

This trust helps you 'direct and protect' your assets, so that your estate is passed on as efficiently as possible and in line with your wishes. It can also help reduce your estate's exposure to Inheritance Tax, while safeguarding your wealth. The trust also ensures your wealth goes to your loved ones, for example children or grandchildren, whilst at the same time making sure it's not redirected to any other party down the line due to unforeseen circumstances.

News and insights

Take a look at our useful, easy-to-read blogs for more information.

Why you need to give your pension a health check if you’re aiming to live longer

Extending your lifespan by six years could mean that you need to increase the value of your retirement fund to ensure that you can maintain your lifestyle for the additional period. Not doing so could mean you have to reduce your standard of living, or even worse may result in your retirement fund running dry.
LPA Series: How can I get a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Once you understand what a Lasting Power of Attorney is, and how it can help you in the future, you can begin putting an LPA in place, but where do you start?
Five myths about inheritance

Many people believe that rules around who inherits what are simple, but unless you’ve made a will you may be surprised at who is entitled to your assets after you’ve gone. Here are five of the biggest myths about who is entitled to your money if you die without a will.
Your children’s future: Here’s how you can get started with planning

With the cost-of-living crisis firmly sitting on the shoulders of families across the country, fears for the future may begin to creep in. Like most things in life, taking the time out now to prepare and plan will be rewarding in the long run.