We are Yorkshire-based later life planners led by Bill, Nigel, and Mark
offering nearly 110 years’ combined experience in financial security,
care planning, and peace of mind.

About Lifetime Planning Services Ltd

At Lifetime Planning Services Ltd, we understand that planning for later life is not just about securing your finances—it’s about securing peace of mind for the future. Led by Bill, Nigel, and Mark, our team combines nearly 110 years of experience in later life planning to guide you through the complexities of aging with confidence and clarity.

In the UK, later life planning involves a range of essential elements that ensure financial security, quality health care, and overall well-being as you age. We take a comprehensive, empathetic approach, tailored to your unique needs and goals.

What Does Later Life Planning Involve?

Legal Planning: Our expert team guides you through creating or updating your will, setting up trusts, and ensuring your estate is distributed as you wish. We also assist with lasting powers of attorney for property and financial affairs, giving you peace of mind that your wishes will be respected.

Housing & Living Arrangements: Whether you want to stay in your home, downsize, or explore alternative living options like retirement communities, we’ll help you make informed decisions about your housing as you age.

Health Care Planning: Your health and well-being are our top priority. We help you plan for ongoing health care needs, including long-term care if necessary, and ensure you have the right legal protections in place, such as lasting powers of attorney for health and welfare.

Financial Security: Our trusted partners will help you manage pensions, savings, and investments to ensure a steady income in retirement. We also assist with planning for potential long-term care and other unexpected costs, so you can face the future without financial worry.

Social & Emotional Well-Being: We believe that maintaining a fulfilling social life is just as important as managing finances. Our planning includes considerations for staying connected with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and staying active and engaged as you grow older.

Why Choose Us?

End-of-Life Planning: We guide you through making important decisions regarding your end-of-life care, funeral arrangements, and other final wishes, ensuring that everything is handled with the utmost care and respect.

We are not just planners—we are partners. We take the time to listen, understand your priorities, and work with you to create a roadmap for the years ahead. Whether you prefer meeting in person, at our office, at your home, or virtually, we offer flexible options to ensure the process is as comfortable and convenient as possible.

At Lifetime Planning Services, your future is in good hands. Let’s start planning today.

Contact US

Protect Your Loved Ones: Make Your Will Today

You know you need a Will, but where do you start? You’re not alone—around 75% of people don’t have a Will in place. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Without a Will, the government decides who gets what, which can lead to unnecessary stress and confusion for your loved ones.

Why You Need a Will

Creating a Will isn’t just about dividing assets—it’s about peace of mind for you and your family. By making your wishes clear, you ensure:

  • Your children are cared for by the right people (not the state).
  • Your home, car, and possessions go where you want—without the hassle of legal battles.
  • Your partner is provided for, even if you’re not married (common law spouses have no legal rights).
  • Your pets are rehomed with someone you trust.
  • Your funeral wishes are respected.

The Consequences of Not Having a Will

Not having a Will can lead to:

  • Children being placed in care while the state decides who should look after them.
  • Family members forced to sell your belongings to cover legal costs.
  • A hefty Inheritance Tax bill, leaving less for your loved ones.
  • Sentimental items, like jewellery, being given to the wrong people.
  • Pets being sent to shelters instead of trusted homes.

How Our Will Writing Service Works

We make the process simple and stress-free. Here’s how it works:

  1. Book an Appointment: We’ll sit down with you to discuss your wishes—no financial jargon, just the key decisions you need to make.
  2. Key Areas to Consider:
    • Who you want to include in your Will.
    • Who will act as your Executor(s).
    • How to protect your partner and family, even if you’re not married.
    • Your funeral wishes and any potential tax-saving strategies.
  3. We Write Your Will: We draft your Will based on your decisions and send you a copy for review.
  4. Sign It: Once you’re happy with everything, you simply sign your Will in front of a witness.

It’s that simple. No stress, no fuss.

Make Your Will with Confidence: Protect your family, your wishes, and your peace of mind. Our simple, jargon-free service helps you appoint guardians, avoid legal complications, and ensure your assets—and even your pets—go where you want.

Act now. Don’t leave the fate of your family and your estate to chance. 

At Lifetime Planning Services, we specialize in Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney. Unlike large law firms, we focus solely on what matters most to you—your wishes. We’re independent, experienced, and committed to helping you protect your legacy at a price that won’t break the bank.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact us now to schedule your free consultation. Make sure your legacy is in good hands. Your loved ones will thank you for it.

Book your appointment today, and take the first step toward securing your peace of mind.

Contact US

Take control of your future with a Lasting Power of Attorney. Appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your health and finances—so your wishes are followed, even if you’re no longer able to speak for yourself.

Protect Your Future:
Set Up Your Lasting Power of Attorney Today

What happens if you can’t make decisions for yourself? Who will step in and make sure your wishes are followed when you’re not well enough to do so?

Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, decisions about your life could be made by strangers—professionals who don’t know you, don’t understand your needs, and may not act in your best interests. That’s a risk no one should take.

Why You Need an LPA

An LPA gives you peace of mind by designating trusted people to make decisions on your behalf, whether it’s about your health or your finances. Without one, you could find yourself in a situation where decisions are taken out of your hands.

  1. Health & Wellbeing LPA: This allows someone you trust to make medical and care decisions for you if you can’t. Without it, you risk losing control over your healthcare, from where you’re treated to what treatments you receive. Imagine being placed in a care home far from family because no one had the legal authority to intervene. With an LPA, you can ensure that doesn’t happen.
  2. Finance LPA: This allows trusted people to manage your financial affairs. You can choose when and how it’s used—whether you need them to step in for temporary assistance or if it’s automatically activated due to illness. Without it, your financial matters could spiral out of your control.

Why Wait?

LPAs aren’t just about protecting you from what could go wrong—they’re about ensuring things go right, even when you’re unable to advocate for yourself. Take action now and secure the safety net you need for peace of mind.

Don’t leave your future to chance—put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place today and make sure the people you trust are there when you need them most.

Contact US

Let Us Handle the Legalities:
Our Probate Service Makes Life Easier

Losing a loved one is difficult enough dealing with the legal complexities that follow shouldn’t add to your stress. Our Probate Service takes care of everything, from the heavy paperwork to the complex legal requirements, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: coming to terms with your loss.

The Stress of Probate

Administering an estate can be a long, complicated, and overwhelming process. From paying Inheritance Tax upfront, to applying for the Grant of Probate, to distributing the estate’s assets—it’s a job that can take months and countless hours of your time.

If you’re the Executor of a Will, you’re legally responsible for the next 21 years. It’s a huge burden. That’s why it’s wise to have an expert by your side to either guide you through the process or take on the responsibility entirely, ensuring everything is done legally and correctly.

What’s Involved in Probate?

If you’re the appointed Executor, here’s what’s on your plate:

  1. Valuation of Assets: You’ll need to assess everything, from properties and financial accounts to vehicles and personal possessions.
  2. Inheritance Tax: You’ll have to determine whether the estate is liable for Inheritance Tax, calculate the amount owed, and pay it upfront to HMRC—this can be up to 40% of the estate’s value.
  3. Grant of Probate: Without the Grant, you can’t sell property or distribute assets. The application can take 3-4 months if everything goes smoothly (but that’s rare).
  4. Settling Debts: You’ll need to settle any outstanding debts and ensure the estate is divided fairly among the beneficiaries.
  5. Legal Responsibility: As Executor, you’re legally liable for the next 21 years. That’s a long time to be responsible for getting everything right.

 How Our Probate Service Can Help You

Dealing with all of this alone can feel impossible, but with our Probate Service, you don’t have to carry the burden. We handle the complexities, legalities, and time-consuming tasks so you can focus on grieving and supporting your family.

Our expert team will:

  • Manage the paperwork: From Inheritance Tax calculations to obtaining the Grant of Probate, we’ll take care of the details.
  • Handle the valuations and sales: We’ll ensure the assets are sold at the best price and debts are settled.
  • Protect you legally: We’ll ensure you meet all legal requirements and that your responsibilities as Executor are properly fulfilled.

Appointed as Executor? We’ll take the weight off your shoulders. From legal paperwork to tax and asset distribution, our probate experts ensure everything’s handled properly—protecting you from costly mistakes and long-term liability.

Don’t Do It Alone

Probate can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it by yourself. Let us handle the legalities while you take care of what truly matters.

Contact us today to get expert help with Probate and ensure the process is handled smoothly, efficiently, and legally.

Contact US

Shield your estate from care fees, debt, and disputes with an Asset Protection Trust. Our expert service helps you protect your home and assets for future generations—while staying in control and avoiding probate delays.

Protecting Your Family’s Wealth:
The Power of an Asset Protection Trust

As people age, many are looking for smarter ways to safeguard their assets and ensure their wealth is passed on to their children. An Asset Protection Trust (APT) is one option that offers peace of mind—but it’s important to set it up correctly to avoid legal complications.

What is an Asset Protection Trust?

An Asset Protection Trust is a legal tool designed to protect your assets from claims or unexpected costs, such as long-term care fees or creditor claims. You create the trust while alive, transferring assets into it, and after your death, the trust ensures those assets are distributed to your beneficiaries quickly—without going through probate.

How Does It Work?

When you place assets into an APT, you transfer the legal ownership of those assets to trustees, while you (or others) retain the right to benefit from them. This separation means your assets are not counted as part of your estate, potentially protecting them from claims, taxes, or other risks.

Why Protect Family Assets?

Securing your family’s future is critical, and an APT can shield your wealth from potential threats like:

  • Care Home Fees: Without a trust, the value of your estate can be used to pay for care fees, reducing the inheritance you pass to your loved ones.
  • Spouse Remarriage: If your spouse remarries, assets could end up with their new partner, not your children.
  • Debt and Bankruptcy: If your spouse or children face financial difficulties, assets placed in a trust may be protected.
  • Will Contests: Protect your estate from potential disputes by making sure it’s legally secure and distributed as intended.

The Benefits of an Asset Protection Trust

  • Avoid Probate: Assets in the trust bypass probate, saving time and money in the distribution process.
  • Control: You can set specific guidelines for how and when assets are distributed, ensuring they go to the right people.
  • Tax Benefits: A trust can help mitigate inheritance tax liabilities if managed properly.
  • Care Fees Protection: If set up correctly, assets in the trust may not be counted towards care fees assessments.

The Downsides to Consider

While an APT has many advantages, it’s not without risks:

  • High Costs: Setting up and maintaining a trust can be expensive, often costing thousands of pounds in legal fees.
  • Access Limitations: Once assets are in the trust, you can’t freely access them without trustee approval.
  • Potential Legal Challenges: If the trust appears to be set up primarily to avoid care fees or creditors, it could be challenged by authorities.

Who Should Consider an Asset Protection Trust?

An APT is suitable for anyone looking to protect significant assets from being eroded by debt, care fees, or family disputes. It’s especially helpful for those with property, high-value assets, or complex estates.

What Assets Can You Place in an Asset Protection Trust?

  • Property: The most common asset, including shares of jointly owned homes.
  • Investments: Stocks, bonds, or savings that exceed the threshold for means-testing.
  • Cash: Any capital that exceeds £14,250 may be worth placing in a trust.

However, be mindful of assets that could trigger tax penalties, like those subject to capital gains tax or the inheritance tax “nil-rate band” limit (£325,000).

Will an Asset Protection Trust Help with Care Fees?

Yes, in theory. Since assets in the trust are legally separate from your estate, they might not count towards the means-testing for long-term care fees. However, if the authorities believe the trust was set up with the sole purpose of avoiding care fees, they could challenge it.

 

Costs Involved in Setting Up an Asset Protection Trust

Setting up a trust typically costs between £3,000 and £6,000 for legal fees, and there may be additional fees for transferring assets into the trust. While this can be a significant investment, it’s worth considering if you have substantial assets to protect.

Can You Change the Trust Later?

Yes, you can modify the trust at any time, moving assets in or out, or adjusting the beneficiaries. However, there may be costs involved when making changes.

Alternatives to an Asset Protection Trust

If an APT isn’t right for you, consider these alternatives:

Will Trusts: These trusts are activated after death and are commonly used to protect a family home or assets for the surviving spouse.

Gifts to Children: A straightforward option, but it carries risks, like potential inheritance tax liabilities or losing control if your child faces financial trouble.

Final Thoughts

An Asset Protection Trust can be a powerful tool for securing your family’s wealth and protecting it from unexpected challenges. However, it’s essential to weigh the benefits against the costs and complexities, and always consult a qualified professional to ensure the trust is set up and managed correctly.

Contact Form