Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax Advice
Inheritance Tax (IHT) can significantly reduce the value of your estate if it is not planned for in advance. Careful planning can help ensure more of your assets are passed on to your chosen beneficiaries, rather than being lost to tax.
At Ellis-Fermor & Negus, we provide clear, practical advice on Inheritance Tax planning. We help individuals and families understand how IHT applies to their estate and what steps can be taken to reduce potential liability. Our focus is on protecting family wealth, preserving assets, and making sure your estate is structured in a tax-efficient way.
Effective planning can make a real difference. Depending on your circumstances, this may involve reviewing how your assets are owned, making use of available allowances and exemptions, considering lifetime gifts, or putting appropriate arrangements in place to support long-term planning goals.
Every situation is different, so our advice is always tailored to your personal and family circumstances.
We also work closely with clients to ensure that Inheritance Tax planning fits alongside wider estate planning, including Wills and trusts, so everything works together as a clear and effective plan.
Our aim is to reduce uncertainty, minimise unnecessary tax exposure where possible, and help ensure your estate passes smoothly to the people you want to benefit.
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‘Very happy with the service and guidance received and would have no hesitation recommending Grace to others. Grace was excellent.’
Grace Steele
Director and Head of Wills and Probate
Why choose Ellis-Fermor & Negus?
We pride ourselves on providing advice that is understandable, actionable and sensitive to your family circumstances. IHT planning can be emotional as well as technical and our approach balances legal compliance with practical outcomes.
Expert advice on IHT planning and reporting, including trusts, exemptions and complex estates
Guidance for individuals, families and executors, tailored to personal circumstances
Practical, clear strategies to minimise tax liability and protect beneficiaries
Local solicitors across the East Midlands, with expertise extending nationally for more complex estates
Experienced team helping clients navigate legal, tax, and family considerations
Meet the team
Grace Steele
Grace is a Director and head of our Wills and Probate Department, with over 30 years’ experience in Private Client work in the East Midlands area. Graduating in Law from Sheffield University she trained with a large law firm in Derby. Grace specialises in Inheritance tax planning, Wills, complex and high-value Probate Administration. Grace has…
01773 307 362 | 07562 398394
grace.steele@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Grace Steele is based at our Belper Office.
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Kim Kirk
Kim is a qualified Solicitor and became Deputy Head of Department for Wills and Probate as of April 2025. Kim was made an Associate Solicitor as of May 2025. Kim graduated in law in Sheffield and completed her Legal Practice Course in Nottingham. Kim qualified as a Solicitor in 2012 after completing her training in…
Luke Smyth
Luke is an experienced solicitor and joined Ellis-Fermor Negus in May 2023 as part of the Long Eaton Private client team. He joined the Ripley team in May 2024. Luke qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and has worked in the legal industry since 2005. Luke studied at Sheffield University, graduated in Law and completed…
Joanna Bridges
Joanna qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1996 and joined us in 2012 to work in the Wills & Probate department at our Beeston office. Joanna specialises in Wills & probate matters, acting in the preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and in the administration of estates. She also deals with Court…
0115 922 1591
Joanna.Bridges@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Joanna Bridges is based at our Beeston Office.
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Rosie Woodward
Rosie is currently on Maternity leave until 2026. Rosie Woodward is an experienced Legal Executive and joined Ellis-Fermor & Negus Solicitors in November 2022 as part of the Belper Private Client team. Rosie completed a Law degree in Sheffield in 2017 and then trained at a rural branch office of a large Sheffield-based firm, qualifying…
01773 821 665
rosie.woodward@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Rosie Woodward is based at our Belper Office.
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Kenley Flint
Kenley started her career at our Ripley office in 2002 as an office junior straight from school. She then went on to become a Legal Secretary and has experience in Personal Injury, Conveyancing and Litigation. Kenley also completed 2 years at college, to qualify as a Paralegal in 2006. After taking some time out to…
01773 821665
Kenley.Flint@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Kenley Flint is based at our Belper Office.
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Elina Topham
Elina Topham joined our Belper team in July 2023 as a Paralegal in Wills & Probate. Elina has gained extensive legal knowledge working at local firms in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire in various different roles. Elina is experienced in advising and assisting clients with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection and Estate Administration…
01773 821 665
elina.topham@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Elina Topham is based at our Belper Office.
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Khloe Drabble
Khloe joined the Wills and Probate team at Ripley in 2025 having qualified as a Solicitor in 2023. She graduated from the University of Derby for both her law degree and legal practice course which she followed with a training contract at a firm in Nottinghamshire. Khloe specialises in Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.…
01773 744744
khloe.drabble@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Khloe Drabble is based at our Ripley Office.
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Shane Nightingale
Shane is a Private Client Fee Earner in our Wills & Probate department at our Belper Office having joined us in April 2025 with previous experience in Wills & Probate at another local firm. Originally from Peterborough, Shane moved to Derby where he studied LLB Law at the University of Derby, graduating in 2022 with…
0115 821 665
shane.nightingale@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Shane Nightingale is based at our Belper Office.
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Elissa Dagnall
Elissa is a Private Client Fee Earner in the Wills and Probate team at our Beeston office. Originally from London, Elissa moved to Nottingham to study Law at the University of Nottingham. After graduating, Elissa completed an internship year at Trent Vineyard Church, helping within their Compassion ministry projects. Elissa then went on to work…
0115 922 1591
Elissa.Hartley@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Elissa Dagnall is based at our Beeston Office.
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Rebecca Green
Rebecca grew up in Long Eaton and started her career at Ellis-Fermor & Negus in 2002 as an office junior. Rebecca has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years and qualified in 2015. She re-joined the Long Eaton office in April 2024 as a Chartered Legal Executive in the Wills and Probate Department.…
0115 972 5222
Rebecca.Green@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Rebecca Green is based at our Long Eaton Office.
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Laura Ambalavanar
Laura is currently on Maternity leave until 2026. Laura qualified as a Probate Paralegal in November 2016 and has 4 years’ experience in Private Client work. Laura has experience in the preparation of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and the administration of straightforward estates and works alongside Rebecca Green on all other Private Client work.…
0115 972 5222
Laura.amba@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Laura Ambalavanar is based at our Long Eaton Office.
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Matthew Insley
Matt is a Private Client Fee Earner in the Wills and Probate department at our Long Eaton office, he joined Ellis-Fermor & Negus in January 2025. Matt studied Law at the University of Hull and graduated in 2022. In 2023 Matt started studying for his LPC which he does part time at the weekends. Matt…
0115 697 7269
matthew.insley@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Matthew Insley is based at our Long Eaton Office.
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Jordan McGregor
Jordan is a Trainee Solicitor currently working in the Wills and Probate team at our Beeston office. Originally from Dorset, Jordan moved to Cardiff where he studied law at Cardiff University, where alongside his final year of study, he completed an internship year at his church Cardiff Vineyard. After graduating, Jordan spent a week with…
0115 922 1591
jordan.mcgregor@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Jordan McGregor is based at our Beeston Office.
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Inheritance Tax – Frequently Asked Questions
Inheritance Tax is a tax applied to the estate of someone who has passed away. It generally applies to:
- Property, land, and buildings
- Investments, savings and cash
- Personal possessions and valuables
The standard rate of IHT is currently 40% which is the rate payable on anything above the tax-free allowance. This can have a significant impact on the wealth you pass to your family or chosen beneficiaries. However, careful planning can help reduce or mitigate liability, protect your family and ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
Inheritance Tax can be complex, particularly for larger estates, families with multiple properties, or when charitable giving is involved. It’s not just about paying less tax—it’s about ensuring your estate plan works for your beneficiaries, protecting your family and avoiding unnecessary delays or legal complications after your death.
Yes. Planning strategies such as gifts, trusts, spousal exemptions and charitable donations can significantly reduce your estate’s IHT liability.
We provide comprehensive support for individuals, families, and executors, including:
- IHT planning to minimise tax liability for your estate and beneficiaries
- Using exemptions, reliefs, and allowances effectively
- Advice on lifetime gifts, trusts and charitable donations to reduce taxable value
- Guidance for executors and administrators on reporting, payment and compliance
- Coordinating IHT planning with your Will and overall estate plan
Our approach ensures that every aspect of your estate is considered, and that you remain in control while taking full advantage of legal options to reduce tax exposure.
Effective IHT planning requires understanding your estate, your family circumstances and the range of legal options available. Strategies we commonly advise on include:
- Establishing trusts to protect assets and control how they are distributed, which can reduce IHT and provide security for beneficiaries.
- Lifetime gifts: Gifts made more than seven years before death are generally exempt from IHT, and careful timing and structuring can maximise the benefit.
- Using spousal exemptions to transfer assets tax-free between partners.
- Charitable donations: Gifts to registered charities reduce the taxable estate and can support causes important to you.
- Coordinating Wills with IHT planning to ensure beneficiaries receive the intended inheritance efficiently.
- Business and agricultural reliefs: For family businesses or farming interests, special reliefs can significantly reduce IHT liability.
Early planning is critical. Delaying decisions or leaving IHT to chance can result in unnecessary tax, family disputes, or challenges for executors. We ensure you understand the implications of each strategy and that your plan is both legally compliant and tailored to your circumstances.
IHT is payable on estates exceeding the tax-free allowance at the time of death. Typically, the estate itself is responsible for paying the tax before distribution to beneficiaries.
Contact Us
If you want to protect your estate and minimise Inheritance Tax, our team can provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances.
• Phone:
0115 972 5222 (Long Eaton)
0115 896 3390 (West Bridgford)
0115 922 1591 (Beeston)
01773 821665 (Belper)
01773 744744 (Ripley)
• Email: infomation@ellis-fermor.co.uk
• Online Enquiry: ellis-fermor.co.uk/contact-us