Why grandparents' IHT mitigation plans could lead to future strife

'Anyone tempted to follow suit may be wise to hesitate'

clock • 4 min read

Don’t be so trusting Grandma. Richard Burgess outlines why well-intentioned grandparents looking to help their grandchildren while mitigating their IHT liabilities could be storing up trouble...

A recent article in The Times outlined how a grandparent purchased a house worth £825,000 for her grandchildren and discussed the potential inheritance tax (IHT) advantages of doing so. While the proposition that someone can simultaneously reduce the tax payable on their death and help family members onto the property ladder sounds attractive, this course of action is fraught with risks. The property in question was placed into a bare trust. This means the children will become entitled to their share of the property on turning eighteen. When all the grandchildren are of age, they c...

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