Estate planning, Guildford
Explore how we can help with the legal protection and management of your wealth and assets.
Contact our teamIn Guildford, Moore Barlow solicitors offers comprehensive estate planning services to individuals and families looking to safeguard their assets and plan for the future.
Our skilled solicitors understand the local dynamics and complexities of estate planning, and we are committed to tailoring solutions that meet your unique needs. Whether it’s creating wills, establishing trusts, or other strategies, we are here to help you achieve your estate planning goals.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning, also known as succession planning, is a proactive financial strategy that revolves around structuring and managing one’s assets and affairs to guarantee the efficient and legally sound transfer of wealth to heirs and beneficiaries. It entails the careful consideration of wills, trusts, and other legal mechanisms to ensure that an individual’s financial legacy is protected and distributed in accordance with their preferences.
Why choose us?
Our estate planning solicitors in Guildford are renowned for their ability to address the diverse financial needs of clients in the area. By selecting our Guildford-based team, you’re enlisting professionals who understand the financial intricacies unique to Guildford’s residents. We offer tailored strategies that protect your assets from excessive taxation while preserving your wealth for future generations. Our commitment to serving the Guildford community ensures that your estate planning is personalised and aligned with your long-term financial objectives.
Moore Barlow is proud to hold several prestigious accreditations that reflect our commitment to excellence in private wealth law. Our team is recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, which highlights our expertise in estate planning and probate. Additionally, we are accredited under the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS), which assures clients of our ethical and high-quality service in this sensitive area. We also maintain a strong local presence in Guildford and the wider Surrey area, ensuring clients receive personalised, region-specific advice. Unlike some competitors, we blend deep legal expertise with a practical understanding of local real estate markets and family-owned businesses, making us a truly comprehensive estate planning partner.
How we can help
Our estate planning solicitors in Guildford are experts in addressing the diverse financial needs of this thriving Surrey town. We can help you create effective strategies to safeguard your assets and ensure a tax-efficient transfer of wealth to your loved ones. Whether you require assistance with wills, trusts, or other estate planning tools, our solicitors’ local knowledge ensures that your estate planning is customised to your goals and aligned with the financial dynamics of Guildford.
Our estate planning team can assist with a wide range of legal services designed to structure, protect and transfer wealth effectively. This includes the preparation and review of complex wills, lifetime trusts, family investment companies, asset protection strategies, and inheritance tax planning. We also offer guidance on charitable giving, succession planning for business owners, and cross-border estate issues for individuals with international assets. Our integrated approach with other departments allows seamless support on matters such as property transfers, the establishment of family trusts, and strategic financial planning in collaboration with tax professionals and financial advisors.
Our team of private wealth solicitors
Planning for business succession
For business owners, estate planning is crucial not only for personal wealth but also for ensuring the future stability of the business. We assist clients in drafting succession plans that specify leadership transitions, ownership arrangements, and tax-efficient transfer strategies. Our team works closely with corporate and tax advisors to align your personal and business goals, safeguarding your enterprise across generations and preserving its value for your successors.
Who we help
Our services cater to a wide range of clients, from local residents to business owners in the Guildford area, seeking effective strategies to safeguard their assets and achieve a seamless wealth transfer. Whether your financial holdings are intricate or straightforward, our solicitors are committed to tailoring solutions that align with your specific goals.
We regularly support clients from a diverse range of backgrounds, including entrepreneurs seeking to pass on business interests tax-efficiently, professionals with complex asset structures, and individuals in the agriculture and rural estate sectors who need specialist advice on long-term property succession. Our services are also tailored to high-net-worth individuals and families with diverse investment portfolios, as well as retirees looking to simplify their affairs and reduce inheritance tax liability. Additionally, we assist trustees, executors, and beneficiaries in both contentious and non-contentious estate matters.
Contact us
You can trust our skilled solicitors for all your estate planning needs. Let us help you protect your assets. Contact us now to schedule an appointment at our Guildford office.
We have offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington and Woking and offer specialist estate planning legal services to clients nationwide.
Contact our private wealth team
Frequently asked questions
Why is estate planning important?
Estate planning is the process of organising how your assets will be managed and distributed after your death or if you become incapacitated. It ensures your wishes are carried out, reduces the risk of disputes, and can help minimise inheritance tax liabilities. Effective estate planning provides peace of mind and financial security for your loved ones.
When should I start planning my estate?
It’s never too early to begin estate planning. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, having children, starting a business, or acquiring property are ideal times to review or create an estate plan. Regular reviews ensure your plans remain relevant to your circumstances and legal changes.
Do I need a will if I’ve already made a trust?
Yes, even if you have a trust in place, a will is still essential to cover any assets not included in the trust and to appoint guardians for minor children. A will can also serve as a ‘pour-over’ mechanism to transfer residual assets into the trust upon your death.
Can I update my estate plan after it’s been created?
Absolutely. Your estate plan should be reviewed regularly, especially after significant life changes such as a new marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a substantial shift in your financial situation. Updating your will or trust ensures that your current wishes are accurately reflected.
How can estate planning help reduce inheritance tax?
Through strategic use of trusts, charitable donations, lifetime gifting, and exemptions such as the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band, estate planning can significantly reduce the amount of inheritance tax payable. Tailored advice from an experienced legal team ensures that your estate is structured as efficiently as possible.
