An estate is the total property, real and personal, owned by an individual prior to distribution through a trust or will. Real property is real estate and personal property includes everything else, for example cars, household items, and bank accounts. Estate planning distributes the real and personal property to an individual's heirs.

Estate planning is the process by which an individual or family arranges the transfer of assets in anticipation of death. An estate plan aims to preserve the maximum amount of wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries and flexibility for the individual prior to death.

Wills and trusts are common ways in which individuals dispose of their wealth.

Trusts, unlike wills, have the benefit of avoiding probate, a lengthy and costly legal process that oversees the transfer of assets.

Sometimes, it is possible to make inter vivos gifts (gifts made while the donor is alive) in order to minimise taxes.

Death & Taxes are unavoidable.

Planned Estate & Inheritance Planning will allow you to Preserve Your Assets & Distribute them in the Manner that you wish whilst at the same time Minimising Taxes.

We set out below some Information that will assist you but this is an Area which requires Careful and Detailed Advance Planning.

Pryce Warner International Group will provide you with Detailed & Expert Guidance.

Income Tax
This is a tax on most UK income (for most non UK residents) and on worldwide income (from most UK residents).

Capital Gains Tax
This is a tax on profits or gains made on the disposal of assets. There are exceptions and qualifications to Capital Gains Tax, for example, no tax is payable on any gain on the sale of a person's home as long as it is their main residence.

Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax is payable on your estate if it exceeds the threshold or nil rate. These rates have been modified (0ctober 2007) contact us to review you’re your position.

Wealth Tax (France & other European Countries)
This is an increasingly important area for Ex-patriates becoming resident in their new country of choice. Please contact us (there is a response form on this page at the top) & we will review your personal situation with you.

What is an Estate?
A person's Estate includes the total of everything:

- owned in his or her name,
- the share of anything owned jointly,
- gifts from which he or she keeps backs some benefit, for example, if you give away your home but continue to live there, and
- assets held in trust from which he or she gets some sort of personal benefit, for example, an income.

If your Estate exceeds the threshold including assets held in trust and any gifts you have made within seven years of your death then Inheritance Tax will be payable on the remainder at a flat rate of 40%.