Tax and Succession Planning

We’ll work with you to understand what’s important to you, advising how you can best protect your family and assets.

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Why succession planning matters

Without a clear plan, your estate could face unnecessary tax bills, legal disputes, or delays. Worse still, it could put strain on family relationships at an already difficult time.

We help you take control - so your legacy is passed on smoothly, and your wishes are respected.

What we can help you with

Succession planning often includes:

Wills and Powers of Attorney
Lifetime gifting strategies
Creating Trusts to protect assets
Bringing family into the business
Working with your accountants and financial advisers
Planning for farms or family businesses

We also collaborate with our in-house corporate and property teams to ensure your plans are practical, robust, and future-proof.

Tax planning that works for you

Tax is a key part of succession planning. Poor planning - or no planning - can significantly increase the tax burden on your estate. We’ll help you:

Understand and maximise inheritance tax allowances
Explore transferable allowances from previous spouses (including complex remarriage scenarios)
Secure the residence nil rate band - which isn’t applied automatically
Make the most of Business and Agricultural Property Reliefs
Use Trusts and gifting to reduce inheritance tax exposure

We’ll also help you avoid common pitfalls, such as triggering lifetime inheritance tax or capital gains tax charges through poorly structured gifts.

Protecting vulnerable Beneficiaries

Sometimes, leaving assets outright isn’t the right choice. If a Beneficiary has a disability, lacks capacity, or is at risk of financial exploitation, we can help you put the right structures in place to protect them - without compromising your estate plan.

Post-death planning

Even after someone has passed away, there may still be opportunities to reduce inheritance tax or protect assets - if action is taken quickly. Our team can advise Beneficiaries on their options and help secure long-term benefits for their families.

Plan with confidence

You’ve worked hard to build your wealth. We’ll help you protect it - and pass it on in the right way. Our team will create a strategy that reflects your values, supports your loved ones, and gives you confidence in the future.

Why Choose Porter Dodson?

Recognised excellence – Ranked in both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for our expertise in private client services, including Wills, Trusts, and Probate.

Clear, compassionate advice – We speak your language, not legal jargon, and tailor our guidance to your personal circumstances.

Joined-up legal support – Our team works seamlessly across estate planning, tax, property, and disputes to protect your interests.

Trusted by generations – With deep roots in the community, we’ve supported families and business owners across the South West for decades.

We’re here to make sure your wishes are respected, whatever the future brings.

Every step of the process was explained fully. Excellent communication and prompt response to my emails. Suzanne’s professionalism and reassurance made a difficult time so much more bearable.

Karen

Very helpful and comprehensive service for both Trustee changes from Tom and Deeds of assignment from Clare. Complicated area of civil law that was laid out with clear path to achieve required changes and access to trust funds.

Mark

I instructed Ellice Pounder recently to write my Will. She was excellent, very professional and I was well advised throughout the process. I would highly recommend Ellice.

Beth