estate-planning

Estimate a UK Inheritance Tax bill (2025/26 England & Wales rules). Models the nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band and its £2m taper, spousal doubling, the 40% charge, the 2027 pension change, plus optional debts, charity rate (36% at 10%+), transferred allowances and business/agricultural relief. Illustrative only — excludes lifetime-gift history.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "estateValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Total estate value excluding any pension you add separately (£)"
    },
    "married": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Married or in a civil partnership (combined/doubled allowances)"
    },
    "leavingHomeToDescendants": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Does a main home pass to children/grandchildren? Enables the residence nil-rate band"
    },
    "homeValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "default": 0,
      "description": "Value of the main home (£) — caps the residence nil-rate band"
    },
    "includePension": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "default": false,
      "description": "Include unused pensions (the rules from 6 April 2027)"
    },
    "pensionValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "default": 0,
      "description": "Unused pension value to fold in (£)"
    },
    "includeDebts": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Deduct debts/liabilities first"
    },
    "debtsValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Mortgage, loans and funeral costs (£)"
    },
    "leavingToCharity": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "A share of the estate is left to charity (10%+ cuts the rate to 36%)"
    },
    "charityPct": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "maximum": 100,
      "description": "Share of the net estate left to charity (%)"
    },
    "transferredAllowance": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Claim a late spouse's/civil partner's unused allowances"
    },
    "transferredNrb": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Late spouse's unused nil-rate band (£), capped £325,000"
    },
    "transferredRnrb": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Late spouse's unused residence nil-rate band (£), capped £175,000"
    },
    "includeRelief": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Qualifying business/agricultural assets get simplified relief"
    },
    "reliefAssetsValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Value of qualifying business/agricultural assets (£)"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "estateValue",
    "married",
    "leavingHomeToDescendants"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Show the Inheritance Tax impact of the April 2027 change that brings most unused pensions into the estate: the IHT before vs after, and the extra tax. Exposure only — models nothing about pension products or what to do with a pension (that is FCA-regulated advice).

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "estateValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Estate value excluding pensions (£)"
    },
    "homeValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "default": 0,
      "description": "Main home value (£) — caps the residence nil-rate band"
    },
    "leavingHomeToDescendants": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Does a main home pass to children/grandchildren?"
    },
    "married": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Married or in a civil partnership"
    },
    "pensionValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Unused pension value (£) — counted only in the 'from 2027' scenario"
    },
    "pensionToSpouse": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Pension would pass to a spouse first (educational note only)"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "estateValue",
    "leavingHomeToDescendants",
    "married",
    "pensionValue"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Apply the England & Wales intestacy rules (dying without a will, rules from 26 July 2023): who inherits and how much. ALWAYS returns the warnings — e.g. a cohabiting partner inherits nothing, and jointly-owned assets usually pass outside these rules by survivorship.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "maritalStatus": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "married",
        "cohabiting",
        "single",
        "divorced"
      ],
      "description": "Legal status at death (only marriage/civil partnership counts)"
    },
    "hasChildren": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Any biological or legally adopted children (stepchildren don't count unless adopted)"
    },
    "estateValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Estate passing under intestacy (£) — sole-name assets, minus debts"
    },
    "jointlyOwnedValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Approx value of jointly-owned assets (£) — passes by survivorship, outside these rules"
    },
    "hasPartialWill": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "A valid will covers some assets (partial intestacy)"
    },
    "hasForeignAssets": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Property/accounts held abroad — local succession law applies"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "maritalStatus",
    "hasChildren",
    "estateValue"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Recommend which UK trust types are worth discussing for a goal, with an HONEST note that always accompanies the recommendation (e.g. no trust simply avoids care fees — deliberate-deprivation rules apply with no time limit). Each trust lists what it does NOT do. 'No trust may be needed' is a valid answer.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "goal": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "care_fees",
        "children",
        "control",
        "blended_family",
        "vulnerable"
      ],
      "description": "What the person is trying to achieve"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "goal"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Score estate-planning readiness against a checklist. Pass `answers` as a map of item id → true/false (ids: has_will, will_recent, executors_named, guardians_named, lpa_property, lpa_health, wishes_recorded, assets_listed; advanced: pension_nominations, digital_assets, business_succession, foreign_assets, life_insurance_trust). Missing or false items count as gaps. Returns a band: covered / gaps / urgent.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "answers": {
      "type": "object",
      "additionalProperties": {
        "type": "boolean"
      },
      "description": "Map of checklist item id → true (in place) / false"
    },
    "hasChildren": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Household includes children under 18 (enables the guardianship item)"
    },
    "includeAdvanced": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "default": false,
      "description": "Include the advanced/often-forgotten items"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "answers",
    "hasChildren"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Estimate the cost of probate in England & Wales: the HMCTS application fee (£300 where the estate is over £5,000; no fee at £5,000 or below — the same with or without a will), sealed-copy costs, and — on the professional route — typical fee ranges across the UK market (NOT the firm's fees; most professional fees attract VAT on top). Guidance, not advice.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "estateValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Gross estate value (£) — home, savings, investments, minus debts"
    },
    "includesProperty": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Estate includes a house or flat (enables the IHT-instalments note)"
    },
    "hasWill": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "A valid will exists (grant of probate); without one, letters of administration"
    },
    "professionalRoute": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "true = with professional help (adds typical UK market fee ranges); false = applying yourself"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "estateValue",
    "includesProperty",
    "hasWill",
    "professionalRoute"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Check whether a grant of probate (or letters of administration) is LIKELY to be needed in England & Wales, from what the person owned and how they owned it. Returns a guidance verdict — likely / maybe / unlikely — with per-asset reasons and next steps. Indicative only: every bank and institution sets its OWN probate threshold and decides asset by asset, so the honest answer always includes asking each one directly.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "soleProperty": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Property or land registered in the deceased's sole name"
    },
    "jointProperty": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Property owned jointly — held as joint tenants it passes by survivorship"
    },
    "largestBalance": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "under_5k",
        "5k_20k",
        "20k_50k",
        "over_50k"
      ],
      "description": "Largest single bank or building-society balance in their sole name"
    },
    "soleInvestments": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Shares or investments held in their sole name"
    },
    "allToSpouse": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Everything passes to a surviving spouse/civil partner who owned it jointly"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "soleProperty",
    "jointProperty",
    "largestBalance",
    "soleInvestments",
    "allToSpouse"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Calculate the Office of the Public Guardian fees to register Lasting Powers of Attorney in England & Wales: £92 per LPA (applications received from 17 November 2025), with a 50% remission where the donor's gross annual income is under £12,000 and a full exemption on certain means-tested benefits (both claimed with form LPA120). Registration fees only — nothing about drafting costs or whether an LPA is right for someone.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "lpaTypes": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "Property & financial affairs",
        "Health & welfare",
        "Both types"
      ],
      "description": "Which LPA(s) — 'Both types' registers two documents per person"
    },
    "couple": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "A couple making the same LPAs each (doubles the document count)"
    },
    "incomeUnder12k": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Donor's gross annual income below £12,000 (50% remission)"
    },
    "qualifyingBenefits": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Donor receives certain means-tested benefits (full exemption)"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "lpaTypes",
    "couple",
    "incomeUnder12k",
    "qualifyingBenefits"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Project what care home fees could cost: typical self-funder weekly ranges (sourced 2026 estimates rounded from published averages) × 52 weeks × years, by region and care type. The educate-only means-test notes are ALWAYS included — England's capital limits and Wales's single limit are stated as facts for education; there is deliberately no 'how much could you protect' computation, because no arrangement simply avoids care fees.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "region": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "london_south_east",
        "rest_of_england",
        "wales"
      ],
      "description": "Where the care would be"
    },
    "careType": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "residential",
        "nursing"
      ],
      "description": "Residential care or nursing care"
    },
    "years": {
      "type": "number",
      "exclusiveMinimum": 0,
      "description": "Whole years of care to project (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or 5)"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "region",
    "careType",
    "years"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Map lifetime gifts onto the 7-year-rule timeline: which taper BAND each gift sits in and when it falls outside the estate. An EDUCATIONAL timeline of the bands and mechanics only — NOT a personal tax computation: taper relief reduces the rate of tax, never the gift's value, and it only matters where total gifts in the 7 years before death exceed the £325,000 nil-rate band (used up oldest gift first). No personal tax figures are computed.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "gifts": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
          "amount": {
            "type": "number",
            "minimum": 0,
            "description": "Value of the gift (£)"
          },
          "yearsAgo": {
            "type": "number",
            "minimum": 0,
            "maximum": 7,
            "description": "Whole or fractional years since the gift was made (7 = already outside the estate)"
          }
        },
        "required": [
          "amount",
          "yearsAgo"
        ],
        "additionalProperties": false
      },
      "maxItems": 5,
      "description": "Up to 5 gifts to place on the timeline"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "gifts"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Check whether a deed of variation is available — guidance-only eligibility against the s.142 IHTA 1984 conditions: the hard two-year window from the date of death (HMRC does not extend it), adult beneficiaries with capacity, and the agreement of everyone whose share would reduce. Returns yes / no / depends with blockers, goal-mapped possibilities, and an honest note that ALWAYS accompanies the result. No tax outcome is promised — whether it helps depends on the whole estate.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "deathTiming": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "within_2_years",
        "over_2_years",
        "planning_ahead"
      ],
      "description": "When the person died — the two-year window is the hard statutory gate"
    },
    "allAdults": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Every beneficiary whose share would reduce is an adult (18+) with capacity"
    },
    "allAgree": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Those affected beneficiaries all agree to the change"
    },
    "goal": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "redirect",
        "charity",
        "trust",
        "equalise"
      ],
      "description": "What the family wants the variation to achieve"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "deathTiming",
    "allAdults",
    "allAgree",
    "goal"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Check residence nil-rate band eligibility and amount (England & Wales 2025/26): up to £175,000 per person where a home you own (or owned) passes to direct descendants, doubled for a married couple / civil partners, plus a late spouse's transferred allowance — capped at the home's value and tapered by £1 for every £2 the estate exceeds £2m. Illustrative check with plain-English reasons.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "ownsHome": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "You own (or owned) a home that is — or was — your residence"
    },
    "passesToDescendants": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "The home passes to children/grandchildren (step, adopted and foster children count)"
    },
    "homeValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Value of the home (£) — caps the available allowance"
    },
    "estateValue": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Total estate value including the home (£) — drives the £2m taper"
    },
    "married": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Married or in a civil partnership (combined/doubled allowance on the second death)"
    },
    "transferredAllowance": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Claim a late spouse's/civil partner's unused residence allowance"
    },
    "transferredRnrb": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Late spouse's unused residence nil-rate band (£), capped £175,000"
    },
    "downsizedAfterJuly2015": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "description": "Sold or downsized after 8 July 2015 — surfaces the downsizing-addition note (never changes the numbers)"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "ownsHome",
    "passesToDescendants",
    "homeValue",
    "estateValue",
    "married"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Look up plain-English definitions of UK estate-planning terms (IHT, trusts, LPAs, probate). Omit `term` to list all.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "term": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Term or partial term to match; omit to return the full glossary"
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Search Simply Estate's estate-planning guides (wills, IHT, LPAs, trusts, probate) by keyword. Returns titles, URLs and excerpts to cite.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Keywords to search guide titles, excerpts and tags"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "query"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Return Simply Estate's frequently-asked questions and answers (fees, regulation, IHT, trusts, wills/LPAs/probate). Optional keyword filter.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Optional keyword to filter the FAQs"
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}

Submit a request for a FREE, no-obligation estate-planning consultation on the user's behalf. Use only with the user's explicit consent and real contact details. Returns a reference id; the Simply Estate team follows up. Estate planning here is not FCA-regulated.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "name": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "maxLength": 200,
      "description": "The person's full name"
    },
    "email": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "email",
      "maxLength": 200,
      "description": "A real email address (required if no phone)"
    },
    "phone": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 60,
      "description": "Phone number (optional)"
    },
    "service": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "estate-planning",
        "iht",
        "trusts"
      ],
      "default": "estate-planning",
      "description": "Area of interest"
    },
    "county": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 60,
      "description": "County, if known"
    },
    "message": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 800,
      "description": "Brief description of what they'd like help with"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "name",
    "email"
  ],
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
}