A valuable West London home can make estate planning important, but does not by itself establish inheritance tax liability. Review the whole estate and the allowances available.
The London Challenge
A current estate model should distinguish property, other assets and any pension benefits included under the relevant rules.
Illustration, not a client case:
- £1,400,000 of home value and £400,000 of other included assets total £1,800,000.
- Assuming £1,000,000 of fully available bands, no earlier taxable gifts and no further exemptions or reliefs, 40% of the balance is £320,000.
- The assumed bands require a qualifying home left to direct descendants; the £1 million examples also assume full transferable spouse or civil-partner bands.
- Pension treatment, ownership and the actual facts must be checked.
Use the illustration to identify questions for review, rather than assume a fixed loss to your family.
Essential Planning for West London
Second Properties & Buy-to-Lets
A buy-to-let does not normally qualify as the residence passed to direct descendants. That does not make its whole value automatically taxable: the estate's available bands, exemptions and reliefs still matter.
Unmarried Partners
Common among high-earning professionals in London. Without a will, an unmarried partner gets NOTHING under intestacy rules. A will is critical.
No London Premium
We charge the same fixed fees whether you are in Reading or Richmond. No hourly rates. No "London Tax" on our services.
Areas We Cover in West London
- Richmond
- Kew
- Chiswick
- Ealing
- Acton
- Hammersmith
- Fulham
- Putney
- Barnes
- Twickenham
- Kingston
- Teddington
Fixed Fees, No London Premium
We specialize in high-value estates without the high-street solicitor price tag.