The clients were a couple, both in their 60s, who were British nationals and resident in the UK. The couple’s estate is valued at £10 million. Their individual nil rate bands of £325,000 each could not be used in this case, and they were therefore facing the prospect of inheritance tax of 40% being charged on the full amount once the second client died, which would mean a £4 million IHT bill for their nearest and dearest at that time.

Like millions of people across the UK, this 40-year-old client approached us seeking to put in place comprehensive cover to provide funds for their family should they pass away, and to provide funds to meet the costs of medical care and home conversions should they contract a critical illness. The desired sum insured was £200,000. However, obtaining appropriate cover for this client was not entirely straightforward, as they had what could be described as an ‘extensive’ medical history, having had a number of medical issues at different stages of their lifetime.

John Lamb Hill Oldridge is proud to be able to assist customers at every stage of their financial journey. In this instance, the client is a 25-year-old man who had been gifted as much as £5 million in non-income producing assets, and who was referred to us by his accountant. As the client had other assets that exhausted his nil-rate inheritance tax band, he was liable for inheritance tax at the full rate of 40% on the entire £5 million, which equates to £2 million.