The recent death of the Duke of Westminster has seen campaigners calling for the Trust system to be reformed, after it was announced that the vast majority of his £9 billion estate will remain exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT).

Research has revealed that 53% of financial advisers want to offer a wider range of services to improve their client relationships. The survey reports that advisers see associated areas of work, such as legal services, as adding significant value to their role and feel under pressure to offer advice to clients on issues relating to more than just their finances.

Family estates liable for Inheritance Tax (IHT) have more than doubled in the last six years, with the Office for Budget Responsibility estimating that the number has increased from 15,000 in 2010 to 40,000 in 2016.

Around six million people have experience of acting as the executor of a Will but just 4% realise that they are legally responsible for the accurate distribution of the estate that is entrusted to them.

Our quick guide explains what Inheritance Tax (IHT) is and some of the ways you can reduce this.

At Kings Court Trust, we believe that our customers deserve a dedicated personal estate adviser to answer queries and offer advice. Our advisers are the family’s main point of contact throughout the whole process and keep our customers up to date on the progress we are making on their estate.

Figures released by HMRC today show that they collected a record £4.7 billion in Inheritance Tax (IHT) payments during 2015/16 - a massive 22% increase on last year’s figures. The country’s IHT bill is the highest since the introduction of the current taxation system 30 years ago.

We all take care of things that we treasure; we keep our money in the bank and jewels or other valuables in a safe or strongbox - so if you think about it, it makes perfect sense to store your Will in a secure and safe location as well.

When it comes to dealing with the next steps following bereavement, we know that families value our personal approach. This is why we always offer a meeting at their convenience with a trusted adviser to talk through what needs to be done and offer practical and empathetic support.