Estate Planning Advice in Kent
Independent estate planning advice to help you protect your assets, reduce inheritance tax and pass wealth to the next generation efficiently and confidently — from a Chartered Financial Planner.
What is estate planning and why does it matter?
Estate planning is the process of organising your financial affairs so that your wealth passes to the right people, at the right time, in the most tax-efficient way possible. It is not only for the very wealthy — anyone who owns a home, has savings or wants to protect their family should consider it.
In England and Wales, inheritance tax (IHT) is charged at 40% on the value of your estate above the nil-rate band threshold. With house prices in Kent and across the South East having risen significantly over the past decade, many families find themselves unexpectedly caught by IHT without any prior planning.
Effective estate planning uses a combination of allowances, gifting strategies, trusts and specialist financial products to reduce the tax burden on your estate and ensure your loved ones receive as much as possible.
The inheritance tax thresholds (2025/26)
Understanding your IHT position starts with knowing the thresholds. The table below summarises the key allowances currently available:
| Allowance | Amount | Who can use it? |
|---|---|---|
| Nil-rate band (NRB) | £325,000 | Every individual |
| Residence nil-rate band (RNRB) | Up to £175,000 | When passing a main home to direct descendants |
| Combined (individual) | Up to £500,000 | Individuals leaving home to children/grandchildren |
| Combined (married couple / civil partners) | Up to £1,000,000 | Couples who transfer unused allowances on first death |
| Annual gifting exemption | £3,000 per year | Everyone (can carry forward one year if unused) |
| Small gifts exemption | £250 per person | Unlimited recipients, per tax year |
| Wedding / civil partnership gift | Up to £5,000 | Parents gifting to a child (lower limits for others) |
How we help with estate planning in Kent
As a Chartered Independent Financial Adviser, Kris Dabner provides holistic estate planning advice that covers the full picture of your financial situation — not just one aspect in isolation. Every recommendation is whole-of-market, unbiased and tailored to your goals.
- Estate review and IHT assessment
We review your total estate — property, savings, investments, pensions and other assets — to calculate your current IHT exposure and identify where planning could reduce it.
- Explore planning strategies
We explain all the options available to you, including gifts, trusts, life insurance in trust, pension planning and business property relief, in plain English without jargon.
- Build a personalised plan
We create a clear, written plan that sets out what steps to take, in what order, and why — ensuring everything fits together coherently across your wider financial position.
- Coordinate with legal professionals
Where wills, trust deeds or lasting powers of attorney are required, we work alongside qualified solicitors to ensure the legal documents match your financial plan.
- Review and update over time
Estate planning is not a one-off exercise. Legislation changes, family circumstances evolve, and asset values fluctuate. We offer ongoing review to keep your plan relevant and effective.
Estate planning strategies we can advise on
There is no single solution to estate planning — the right approach depends on your assets, family situation, age and objectives. Below are the key strategies we regularly help clients with.
Gifting strategies
Making regular or one-off gifts can progressively reduce your estate. The seven-year rule means gifts to individuals are potentially exempt from IHT after seven years, with tapering relief in years three to seven.
Trusts
Trusts allow you to set assets aside for beneficiaries while retaining some control over how and when those assets are used. Common types include discretionary trusts, bare trusts and loan trusts.
Life insurance in trust
A whole-of-life or term assurance policy written in trust can provide a lump sum directly to your beneficiaries outside of your estate, helping to meet any IHT liability cost-effectively.
Pension planning for estate purposes
Pensions have historically been one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass on wealth. This is changing from April 2027. Structuring pension withdrawals and beneficiary nominations is increasingly important.
Business Property Relief (BPR)
Certain business assets and qualifying AIM-listed shares may attract Business Property Relief, reducing or eliminating the IHT charge on those assets after a two-year holding period.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
An LPA ensures that if you lose mental capacity, a trusted person can manage your financial affairs. We can recommend specialist solicitors to help you put LPAs in place alongside your financial plan.
Why work with KMD Financial Planning for estate planning?
Whole-of-market advice
As an independent adviser, we are not tied to any provider or product range. Every recommendation is based solely on what is appropriate for your situation, assessed from across the whole market.
Highest professional standard
Chartered Financial Planner status is the gold standard of professional accreditation in UK financial planning, reflecting rigorous technical knowledge and a commitment to ethical practice.
The full picture
Estate planning does not exist in isolation. We consider how it fits with your pensions, investments, protection and income needs to ensure every part of your financial plan works together coherently.
What working together looks like
Estate planning can feel daunting, particularly when it involves thinking about later life or passing away. Our process is designed to be clear, calm and structured — with every step explained fully before you commit to anything.
- Free initial conversation
A no-obligation call to understand your situation, family circumstances, assets and concerns. We confirm whether and how we can help before any work begins.
- Fact-find and estate review
We gather details of your estate — property, savings, investments, life policies, business interests and pensions — and calculate your IHT position.
- Research and suitability analysis
We assess the planning strategies available to you and determine which are suitable, cost-effective and appropriate given your goals and attitude to risk.
- Written recommendations
We present a clear, written recommendation explaining what we advise, why, the expected outcomes, costs and any risks involved — in plain English.
- Implementation and coordination
We implement the agreed plan, arrange any financial products, and liaise with solicitors or accountants where legal or tax documents are required.
- Ongoing review (if required)
We offer annual or periodic reviews to ensure your plan remains suitable as your circumstances, asset values and legislation change over time.
Frequently asked questions about estate planning
Do I need estate planning advice if my estate is below the IHT threshold?
Possibly. If your estate is currently below the threshold but growing — through property appreciation, pension savings or investments — it may cross the threshold in future. Early planning is generally more effective and less costly than late-stage planning. Estate planning also covers issues beyond IHT, such as asset protection, lasting powers of attorney and ensuring your wishes are legally documented.
What is the seven-year rule for gifts?
When you make a gift to an individual, it is known as a Potentially Exempt Transfer (PET). If you survive for seven years after making the gift, it falls outside your estate and is exempt from IHT. If you die within seven years, the gift may still be included in your estate, though tapering relief applies after three years, reducing the IHT charge progressively between years three and seven.
What is a trust and how might it help with estate planning?
A trust is a legal arrangement where assets are held by trustees for the benefit of named beneficiaries. Trusts can be used to reduce IHT, protect assets from certain risks, provide for beneficiaries over time, or give you some continued control over how assets are used after your death. There are several types of trust, each with different tax and legal characteristics.
Do you work with solicitors?
Yes. Where legal documents such as wills, trust deeds or lasting powers of attorney are required, we work alongside qualified solicitors to ensure everything is implemented correctly. We can recommend solicitors if you do not already have one.
How will the April 2027 pension IHT changes affect my estate plan?
From April 2027, unused pension funds will be included in an individual’s estate for IHT purposes. This is a significant change that may affect anyone with substantial pension savings. It makes reviewing beneficiary nominations, withdrawal strategies and overall estate structure increasingly important.
How much does estate planning advice cost?
Fees depend on the complexity of your estate and the work involved. We always provide a transparent, written fee estimate before any chargeable work begins. The initial consultation is free. You can find further detail on our fee structure page.
Do you advise clients outside Hartley and Longfield?
Yes. Whilst based in Hartley, Kent, we advise clients across Gravesend, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Tonbridge and the wider South East. Meetings can be held in person or by video call, whichever you prefer.
Talk to us about estate planning
Whether you are planning ahead for the first time or reviewing existing arrangements, we can help you understand your options and create a clear, structured estate plan tailored to your family and your goals.
Book a free initial callImportant Information
The information here is purely for information purposes only and does not constitute individual advice.
As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.
The value of investments may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you originally invested.
Pensions are a long-term investment. You may get back less than you put in. Pensions can be and are subject to tax and regulatory change; therefore, the tax treatment of pension benefits can and may change in the future.
THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY DOES NOT REGULATE TAXATION ADVICE.