# Estate Architect Insights

> Inheritance Tax & Estate Planning Insights


## Posts

- [What Happens to Your Pension When You Die After April 2027? The New IHT Process Explained](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/what-happens-to-your-pension-when-you-die-after-april-2027/): From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be included in the value of an estate for inheritance tax purposes. Here is what families need to understand about the new process, beneficiaries and estate administration.
- [£300,000+ in Pensions? 6 Strategies to Investigate Before April 2027](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/pension-inheritance-tax-april-2027-strategies/): If you have £300,000 or more in pensions, the April 2027 inheritance tax changes should be on your radar. Here are six strategies worth investigating before taking money out of your pension.
- [Inheritance Tax Planning: What Should You Review Before the End of 2026?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/inheritance-tax-planning-review-before-end-2026/): As 2027 approaches, review the key areas of your estate — including property, pensions, wills, gifts and beneficiary arrangements — to identify potential gaps before the end of 2026.
- [Should You Take Your 25% Tax-Free Pension Lump Sum Before April 2027?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/tax-free-pension-lump-sum-before-april-2027/): Should you take your 25% tax-free pension lump sum before April 2027? Understand why withdrawing pension money may not automatically reduce inheritance tax.
- [Inheritance Tax Planning for Estates Over £1 Million](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/inheritance-tax-planning-estates-over-1-million/): An estate worth more than £1 million does not automatically mean a large inheritance tax bill. Understand the allowances, estate growth and planning issues worth reviewing.
- [Pensions and Inheritance Tax: What Changes From April 2027?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/pensions-inheritance-tax-changes-april-2027/): Understand how the April 2027 pension inheritance tax changes could affect your estate and why reviewing pension arrangements before the new rules take effect may be important.
- [What Happens If You Die Without a Will in the UK?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/what-happens-if-you-die-without-a-will-uk/): What happens if you die without a Will? Understand how the intestacy rules can affect spouses, children, unmarried partners, property and who ultimately inherits your estate.
- [What Happens to Your Pension When You Die? The Rules UK Families Need to Understand](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/what-happens-to-your-pension-when-you-die/): What happens to your pension when you die? Learn how pension beneficiaries, nominations and the April 2027 inheritance tax changes could affect your estate.
- [Inheritance Tax and Gifts: What Records Should You Keep?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/inheritance-tax-gifts-records-to-keep/): Making gifts during your lifetime? Discover what records to keep, why the seven-year rule matters and how clear documentation can help your executors establish the inheritance tax position.
- [Can You Leave Your Pension to Your Children? UK Inheritance Rules Explained](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/can-you-leave-your-pension-to-your-children/): Can you leave your pension to your children? Understand how pension beneficiaries work, the tax rules that may apply and why the planned April 2027 changes matter.
- [Inheritance Tax Thresholds UK: How Do the Nil Rate Bands Work?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/inheritance-tax-thresholds-uk/): Understand how UK inheritance tax thresholds work, including the £325,000 nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, transferable allowances and the £2 million taper.
- [Who Is Responsible for Paying Inheritance Tax When Someone Dies?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/who-pays-inheritance-tax-when-someone-dies/): Who is responsible for inheritance tax after someone dies? Understand the role of executors, when the tax may be due and how an estate can fund the liability.
- [The £2 Million Inheritance Tax Trap: Could Your Estate Lose the Residence Nil Rate Band?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/2-million-inheritance-tax-residence-nil-rate-band/): Estates above £2 million can begin losing the Residence Nil Rate Band. Understand how the taper works and why property, investments and pensions could push your estate across the threshold.
- [What Is Probate and How Does It Affect Your Estate?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/what-is-probate-how-does-it-affect-your-estate/): Understand what probate is, how it affects your estate, and why property ownership, inheritance tax, liquidity and good records can make a significant difference for your executors and family.
- [Estate Planning UK: What Should Actually Be Included in Your Estate Plan?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/estate-planning-uk-what-should-estate-plan-include/): Estate planning in the UK is about far more than writing a Will. A well-structured estate plan considers your property, pensions, investments, inheritance tax position, gifts, legal documents and family circumstances together. The objective is to understand what you own, what could happen to it during your lifetime and after your death, and whether your current arrangements are likely to produce the outcome you intend. For families with significant property, pensions or investments, looking at each area separately can leave important gaps. What Is Estate Planning in the UK? Estate planning is the process of reviewing how your assets and financial […]
- [Do You Need Inheritance Tax Planning Advice? 9 Questions to Ask Before You Act](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/inheritance-tax-planning-advice/): Before making changes to reduce inheritance tax, you need to understand the problem first. These 9 questions can help identify where your estate may be exposed and what deserves closer attention.
- [Inheritance Tax Planning: 7 Common Weaknesses That Could Leave Your Estate Exposed](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/inheritance-tax-planning-common-estate-weaknesses/): Discover seven common inheritance tax and estate planning weaknesses that could leave your property, pensions and wider estate exposed.
- [Estate Tax Planning UK: What Is It and How Does It Work?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/estate-tax-planning-uk/): Estate tax planning in the UK normally means planning for inheritance tax. Understand how IHT works, what forms part of your estate and why early planning matters.
- [When Should You Start Planning Your Legacy? UK Estate Planning Guide](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/when-to-start-planning-your-legacy/): When should you start planning your legacy? Discover when estate planning should begin and the key areas to consider across property, pensions, family and inheritance tax.
- [The £3,000 Inheritance Tax Gift Allowance: Are You Using It?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/3000-inheritance-tax-gift-allowance/): The £3,000 annual gifting exemption is one of several ways you may be able to give money away without creating an inheritance tax liability. Here's how the rules work.
- [Inheritance Tax Planning UK: How Much Could Your Estate Pay?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/inheritance-tax-planning-uk-estate-tax-bill/): How much inheritance tax could your estate pay? Understand the 40% inheritance tax rate, key allowances, the £2 million taper and why a growing estate could mean a growing tax liability.
- [Can You Give Your House to Your Children to Avoid Inheritance Tax?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/give-house-to-children-avoid-inheritance-tax/): Giving your house to your children does not automatically remove it from your estate. Understand the seven-year rule, Gift With Reservation rules and the risks of transferring your home.
- [Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common: Which Is Better for Estate Planning?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/joint-tenants-vs-tenants-in-common-estate-planning/): Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common can produce very different outcomes when an owner dies. Understand the key differences and why they matter for estate planning.
- [Inheritance Tax Planning UK: When Should You Start Planning?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/when-to-start-inheritance-tax-planning/): When should you start inheritance tax planning in the UK? Learn why timing matters and when your property, pensions and investments may need reviewing.
- [Can You Put Your House in a Trust to Avoid Inheritance Tax?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/put-house-in-trust-avoid-inheritance-tax/): Can you put your house in a trust to avoid inheritance tax? Understand the potential IHT, gift with reservation and wider tax implications.
- [How Much Can You Give Away Tax-Free in the UK?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/how-much-can-you-give-away-tax-free-uk/): How much can you give away tax-free in the UK? Understand the £3,000 annual exemption, seven-year rule, gifts from income and other inheritance tax gifting rules.
- [What Happens to Your House When Your Spouse Dies?](https://insights.estatearchitect.uk/what-happens-to-house-when-spouse-dies/): What happens to your house when your spouse dies? Understand how property ownership, Wills and inheritance tax can affect what happens to the family home.

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