HMRC Is Looking More Closely at Probate valuation in Estates — Why Accuracy Now Matters More Than Ever For many years, inheritance tax was something most families assumed applied only to the very wealthy. In the South East in particular, that is no longer true. Rising property prices combined with frozen tax thresholds mean ordinary... Continue Reading →

Should you use AI to write your will? Artificial intelligence or "AI" tools—especially those that can generate text—are becoming part of everyday life. From drafting emails to helping with research, these systems are designed to make our lives easier and more efficient. It’s no surprise, then, that some people are beginning to explore whether AI... Continue Reading →

The Autumn Budget 2025 introduced several changes that could affect wills, inheritance tax exposure and long-term estate planning. While not all expected reforms materialised, key measures in the Autumn Budget point towards tighter reliefs and a continued focus on wealth-based taxation by the government. If you have a Will, own a business or hold agricultural property, now... Continue Reading →

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's donkey field currently finds itself at the centre of a saga. This involves a seven-acre field, a herd of donkeys, and questions about inheritance tax avoidance. The plot thickens as critics allege that Starmer may have employed a trust to sidestep inheritance tax liabilities. The Field of Controversy In 1996, Starmer... Continue Reading →

Most people approach will writing with the simple aim of leaving clear instructions and minimising stress for their loved ones. Sadly, some wills still end up being disputed, often at great emotional and financial cost to families. At Chiltern Wills, we specialise in helping clients create robust estate plans that stand up to scrutiny. In this... Continue Reading →

The government has announced a major shift in how pensions will be treated for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension pots and certain pension death benefits will be counted as part of the deceased’s estate for IHT purposes. This change will affect thousands of estates and could significantly increase the... Continue Reading →

At Chiltern Wills, we have the privilege of working with people from all walks of life, and over time we have noticed that past divorce settlements often influence clients' current Wills. Every client brings their own story, their own values and their own hopes for the future. One of the most fascinating – and very... Continue Reading →

If you’ve ever come across the term 'bona vacantia', you’ll know it refers to ownerless property—most often the estates of individuals who pass away without a Will and without traceable family. In England and Wales, these estates fall to the Crown, and for years, the Government Legal Department (GLD) maintained a public Bona Vacantia list of such unclaimed... Continue Reading →