While You Are Alive: Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning | Nigel Shepherd, Barrister-at-Law

Top tips — things to do while you are still alive

Enjoy life — this does not require expensive holidays, but keeping physically and socially active will keep you mentally capable, and alive longer.
Make a Will — it is free, and you can change it later.
Get married! Obviously this does not apply to everyone, but it is one of the simplest ways to avoid Inheritance Tax on your death.
Plan for the future. Sir Peter Thornton KC published an excellent book of advice in 2025 entitled The Later Years: The Simple Guide to Organising the Rest of Your Life, available in hard copy or on Kindle.
Grant Powers of Attorney in respect of your health and your money.

Plain-English notes on each of these topics — follow a link below.

It costs nothing to make a will, and you can change it whenever your circumstances change.

What happens, and who inherits, if you die without a valid will.

Bringing your will, tax position and lifetime giving together.

Coming soon

Why domicile — not nationality or residence — decides which country’s inheritance law applies to you.

How the very wealthy plan around Inheritance Tax — and why it is not for everyone.

What trusts can and cannot do, and a warning about “Living Trusts”.

Planning ahead for loss of mental capacity — ordinary and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Why marriage matters so much for Inheritance Tax and intestacy.

Why the test for capacity is not the same for a Will as it is for a Lasting Power of Attorney.