Specialist inheritance financial planning and estate advice for women who want to protect family wealth and plan with clarity and confidence.
Inheritance financial advice in Liverpool
Receiving a significant inheritance, or planning how your own wealth will be passed on, requires specialist financial advice.
As a STEP Affiliate Member and Chartered Financial Planner based in Liverpool, I provide expert guidance on inheritance planning, inheritance tax, trusts, and estate planning for individuals and families across the UK.
Whether you have recently inherited and need to understand your options, or you want to put plans in place to protect what you pass on, I provide clear, personal advice built around your specific situation.
Inheritance and Estate Planning Advice for Every Situation
Receiving an inheritance
Financial advice for widows
Estate and tax planning
The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances. Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Why STEP membership matters for your inheritance planning
STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, is the leading global professional body for practitioners in the fields of trusts, estates, and inheritance planning.
Membership reflects a specialist level of knowledge and commitment to this area of financial and legal planning that goes well beyond general financial advice.
As a STEP Affiliate Member, I bring specialist knowledge of trust structures, estate planning, inheritance tax, and succession planning to every client I work with in this area.
For clients managing a significant inheritance or planning their own estate, this expertise makes a meaningful difference to the quality of advice they receive and the outcomes they achieve.
Received an inheritance? Here is what to do next.
Inheriting a significant sum of money or assets can feel overwhelming, particularly when it arrives alongside the grief of losing someone close to you. Many people feel uncertain about what to do next, and understandably so. The decisions you make with inherited wealth in the months that follow can have a lasting impact on your financial future.
The most important first step is not to feel rushed into any decisions. Inherited assets do not need to be moved or invested immediately. Taking time to understand what you have received, what the tax implications are, and what your options look like is the right starting point. That is exactly where I begin.
Tax rules change and vary depending on your circumstances, so we look at the most up to date and relevant rules.
I work with women who have received inheritances at a wide range of levels. Clients who have inherited investment portfolios, property, business interests, or pension assets from a parent or partner and who need someone to help them understand what they have and what to do with it wisely.
What I provide at this stage is: a clear picture of the inheritance you have received, a straightforward explanation of any tax implications, and a considered set of options for how to manage and invest those assets in a way that is aligned with your goals and values.
Inheritance tax planning and estate financial planning: protecting what you pass on
Inheritance tax is charged at up to 40% on the value of an estate above the nil rate band threshold, unless you are leaving at least 10% your net estate to a registered charity.
For many families, particularly those who own property in higher value areas or who have accumulated significant assets over a lifetime, inheritance tax can represent a substantial reduction in what is passed on to the next generation.
The good news is that with proper planning, it is often possible to reduce an inheritance tax liability significantly — or eliminate it entirely. The strategies available include:
Gifting Gifts made during your lifetime can fall outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes, subject to the seven year rule and annual gifting allowances. Understanding how and when to gift, and to whom, is an area where specialist advice makes a material difference.
Trusts Trust structures can be used to pass assets to family members in a tax-efficient way while retaining a degree of control over how those assets are used. Trust planning is a specialism of mine as a STEP member.
Business Relief For business owners, business relief can significantly reduce the inheritance tax payable on business assets. This is a complex area that requires advice from someone who understands both business and estate planning.
Pension Planning Pensions sit outside of your estate for inheritance tax purposes in most circumstances, making them one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass wealth to the next generation. Although this is not going to be the case for most pensions from April 2027. Pension planning and inheritance tax planning are closely linked and both need to be considered together.
Rules on the above do change over time and are specific to client circumstances, so up-to-date and relevant advice is key.
Planning your own estate: Protecting what you have built
Estate planning is not just for the very wealthy. If you own a property, have a pension, hold investments, or have built a business, then you have an estate and it benefits from a clear plan.
Good estate planning means your assets are structured in the most tax-efficient way possible, your wishes are clearly documented, and the people you care about are not left facing unnecessary complexity or tax bills at an already difficult time.
I work with clients on the full range of estate planning considerations: inheritance tax strategy, gifting plans, trust structures, pension and legacy planning, and ensuring that wills and lasting power of attorney arrangements are in place and up to date.
Testimonial
“Managing your finances can feel especially daunting when life is in transition, whether through divorce, as in my case, or perhaps a significant career change. It’s during these moments that clarity and compassion matter most. From the moment I discovered Shalini’s work, I felt understood and prioritised. She brings a rare combination of empathy and expertise that immediately put me at ease. I am so grateful to have found her, and truly look forward to working together once everything is finalised. Thank you again Shalini - outstanding, exciting and inspiring! ”
Frequently Asked Questions
About Inheritance and Estate Planning
Q: I have just lost my partner and do not know where to start financially. What should I do?
A: The first step is to give yourself time to grieve. When you feel ready, begin by gathering key documents: the death certificate, any will, and financial statements.
Much of it may feel like jargon, particularly if your partner managed the finances. I offer a no-obligation meeting to walk through everything with you in plain language and help you understand your full financial position at your own pace.
For dedicated support for widows, please visit my financial advice for widows page.
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Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate.
If the person you have lost left a will, you may need to apply for a Grant of Probate to manage and distribute their assets.
I can help you understand what is involved and what it means for your financial position, and refer you to a specialist solicitor where needed.
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Inheritance tax is currently charged at 40% on the value of an estate above the nil rate band threshold, unless you gift at least 10% of your net estate to a registered charity.
However, various allowances, reliefs, and planning strategies can significantly reduce the amount payable.
The right answer depends entirely on your specific estate and tax rules at the time, which is why personalised advice is so important. I can give you a clear picture of your current inheritance tax position and the options available to reduce it.
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Gifts made to individuals more than seven years before your death fall outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes.
Gifts made within seven years may still attract inheritance tax on a sliding scale depending on when the gift was made.
Gifting strategies need to be planned carefully to make the most of the allowances available and avoid unintended tax consequences.
This is an area where specialist advice is key.
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This depends entirely on your personal circumstances, your financial goals, and your attitude to risk.
Receiving a lump sum inheritance is an opportunity to review your full financial position and make considered decisions - not rushed ones.
I help you understand your options clearly so you can make an informed choice that is right for you.
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Yes. While I am based in Liverpool and work with many clients locally, I support women throughout Merseyside, the North West, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cheshire.
The advice is always personal and built around your specific situation regardless of location.
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