Maximising Estate Allowances - Conwy Wills and Trusts Ltd

Tax

Take Advantage of The Tax Allowances

Principal 29 December 2023

In the UK, inheritance tax (IHT) can be a significant concern, with a standard 40%…

Recent Posts

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LPAs Explained in Plain English22 May 2026

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Care-fee planning is not as simple as giving away the house and hoping the council looks the other way. This article explains deprivation of assets, when lifetime trusts or FLITs may be legitimate for wider estate planning, and why intention, timing and proper evidence matter.

Can a Will Be Challenged for Undue Influence or Fraudulent Calumny?15 April 2026

Not every challenged Will is about capacity or paperwork. Sometimes the real issue is pressure, manipulation, or one person poisoning the testator’s mind against another. Undue influence and fraudulent calumny are difficult to prove, but they matter hugely, which is why proper questioning, privacy, and detailed attendance notes are such an important part of good Will writing.

Vulnerable Person Trusts vs Discretionary Trusts: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters.22 January 2026

Choosing the wrong type of trust can have serious and expensive consequences. The Supreme Court case of Pitt v Holt is a powerful example of how well intentioned planning went badly wrong. Personal injury compensation was placed into a discretionary trust to protect benefits, but the trust triggered an unexpected and substantial tax charge that could have been avoided with the right structure. In this post, I explain the key differences between Vulnerable Person Trusts and standard Discretionary Trusts, why they are not interchangeable, and how tax and benefits treatment can vary dramatically. I also look at why careful drafting matters and how a simple mistake can lead to years of litigation and unnecessary cost. If you are planning for a vulnerable beneficiary, this distinction really matters.

How Vulnerable Person Trusts Can Protect Benefits and Long Term Security14 January 2026

A Vulnerable Person Trust can be the difference between meaningful support and an expensive mistake. Many people don’t realise that leaving money directly to a vulnerable person can result in the loss of vital means tested benefits. This type of trust allows funds to be used for someone’s benefit without being treated as theirs, protecting both financial security and entitlement to support.

Trusts and Estate Planning23 December 2025

What trusts are available, what they do, and when they make sense Trusts are not about hiding money or playing games with HMRC. Used properly, they are legal tools that help people control who benefits from their assets, when they benefit, and on what terms. Used badly, they are expensive disappointments. Below is an overview… Read more

Your Will Doesn’t Control Everything!23 December 2025

Most people assume their will controls everything after death. It doesn’t. Many assets pass automatically outside the estate — including property, pensions, and joint accounts — often overriding the will entirely. This article explains what bypasses probate, why families are often shocked, and how proper estate planning brings everything back into line.

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