Bespoke Estate Planning Solutions
At Sandsford Law, we craft tailored legal strategies to protect your wealth, prevent family disputes, and ensure your legacy endures. Whether you’re safeguarding a family home, business, or digital footprint, our expertise turns uncertainty into peace of mind.
Our Services
1. Inheritance Tax (IHT) Planning
“Reduce what you owe – not what you leave behind.”
- How we help:
- Utilise Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) to slash liabilities by up to 100%.
- Structure lifetime gifts and trusts to maximise £3,000/year allowances and £325,000 nil-rate bands.
- Advise on residence nil-rate band claims for properties left to direct descendants.
- How we help:
- Example: Saved a Stockport business owner £78,000 by restructuring shares into a BPR-qualifying trust.
2. Contested Wills & Probate Disputes
“Resolving conflict, preserving relationships.”
- We handle:
- Validity challenges (lack of capacity, fraud, improper execution).
- Inheritance Act 1975 claims for disinherited spouses/children.
- Executor disputes (delays, mismanagement).
- We handle:
- Key fact: 65% of contested cases settle before trial – we aim for cost-effective mediation first.
3. Trusts for Asset Protection
“Shield your wealth from care fees, creditors, and divorce.”
- Trust types we draft:
- Life interest trusts: Spouse benefits, children inherit.
- Discretionary trusts: Protect vulnerable beneficiaries.
- Property trusts: Ring-fence homes from care cost assessments.
- Trust types we draft:
- Local insight: Stockport care homes average £1,200/week – proper planning preserves wealth.
4. Contingency Wills
“Planning for the unthinkable.”
- Critical for:
- Couples who travel together (e.g., “If we die simultaneously, our estate passes to…”).
- Families with complex dynamics (blended families, estranged relatives).
- Critical for:
- Why it matters: Without this, intestacy rules may override your wishes.
5. Business Wills
“Your company’s future shouldn’t hinge on chance.”
- We ensure:
- Shares pass tax-efficiently (avoiding 40% IHT on business assets).
- Partnerships continue smoothly via cross-option agreements.
- Farming families leverage APR to protect land.
- We ensure:
- Case study: Structured a £2.5m manufacturing business succession with zero IHT liability.
6. Digital Assets Planning
“Your online life needs a legal afterlife.”
- We cover:
- Cryptocurrency access for executors (via secure password protocols).
- Social media memorialisation or deletion (Facebook, Instagram).
- Domain names and intellectual property transfers.
- We cover:
- Statistic: 93% of people haven’t included digital assets in their Will – don’t leave heirs locked out.
Why Choose Sandsford Law?
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- ✓ Fixed fees – No surprises.
- ✓ Home visits – Convenient for busy families.
- ✓ SRA-regulated – Fully insured and compliant.
- ✓ Stockport-based – We understand local assets and tax nuances.
“After our parents’ Will was challenged, Sandsford Law resolved it in weeks. Now our whole family uses them.”
— The Thompson Family, Cheadle Hulme
Expert Wills, Trusts &
🔹 Call: 0161 383 1181
🔹 Email: enquiries@sandsfordlaw.co.uk
🔹 Visit: 24 Greek St, Stockport, SK3 8AB