Estate planning is more than preparing a Will, it’s about creating certainty for your family, protecting wealth, and ensuring your wishes are carried out when it matters most. Many families delay these conversations, but with the right advice, you can reduce inheritance tax, protect your business, and provide lasting clarity for those you care about. At Ward Williams, we bring together legal, financial, and tax expertise to design estate plans that are practical, comprehensive, and built for peace of mind.

As we enter the 2026/27 tax year, the UK tax environment continues to evolve in ways that affect not only how much tax is paid, but how businesses are structured, how wealth is preserved and how long-term decisions should be approached. A number of changes taking effect from April 2026 are particularly significant for business owners, landlords, investors and families with intergenerational wealth considerations. While many of the headline changes will be familiar to those following recent Budgets and fiscal announcements, their practical impact is now beginning to crystallise.

As the end of your financial year approaches, attention naturally turns to what needs to be done before the deadline.

While much of the focus is often on compliance, year-end also provides an opportunity to take practical action. The decisions made in these final weeks can influence both your current tax position and how you start the next financial year.

This checklist brings together the key areas worth reviewing while there is still time to act.