What Happens If You Don't Appoint a Guardian? A Clear Guide
If you have young children, understanding guardianship is crucial. Without a legal guardian appointed in your Will, the Family Court will decide who raises your children - not you. This guide explains the critical consequences and why making this vital decision now brings invaluable peace of mind for your family's future.
Gifts with Reservation of Benefit: How to Avoid This Costly Inheritance Tax Trap (UK)
Are you thinking about gifting your home to your children to reduce Inheritance Tax, but you'd still like to live there? It's one of the most common questions we hear at Westwood Estate Planning, and for good reason. The idea seems straightforward: give away your property now, continue living in it, and reduce the size of your taxable estate. Everyone wins, right?
Unfortunately, this is where many well-intentioned people unknowingly walk straight into one of the most expensive Inheritance Tax traps: the 'Gift with Reservation of Benefit.' And the consequences can be devastating for families who discover, after a loved one has passed away, that their careful planning didn't work at all.
In this guide, we'll explain exactly what this trap is, why it catches so many people out, and—most importantly—how you can genuinely gift assets to your family without falling into it.