To keep or not to keep Wills with Nil Rate Band trusts?

Chances are, if you’re British, married and have a professionally drawn Will which predates 2008, you may have a discretionary trust of the Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Band (NRB) in it.  It is often called something like the ‘Legacy Fund’ and, while the exact words may differ, the Will usually provides for a gift of the NRB (currently £325,000 if fully available) to trustees to hold on discretionary trusts for the benefit of the surviving spouse and children.

Having any trust in a Will needs careful thought.  Will trusts add complexity and usually cost something to run after a death occurs.  It is always much simpler for married couples to leave everything to the surviving spouse outright in their Wills, if that is what is desired.  So it’s important to be clear, if you have a NRB trust in your Will, what benefit it may bring your heirs.

Higher SDLT rates for additional residential purchases: planning points

Here we are in the brave new world of higher Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates for certain residential property purchases.  As from 1 April 2016, anyone buying an additional UK residential property, such as a second home or buy-to-let, faces paying a surcharge of 3% above the standard SDLT rates (see my blog of 14 January 2016 for further details of the changes as they were announced in the Autumn Statement 2015).

UK residential property remains a popular investment class for many people who already own their own homes, so are there any planning opportunities?