For many families in Loughton, the biggest asset they own is the house, and it has often grown in value far faster than anything else. That raises a question people tend to put off: what happens to it all when you are gone? This page looks at estate planning in plain English, alongside the everyday pensions, protection and mortgage help we offer.
Between the forest and the Roding
Loughton is a town in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It sits inside the M25 but just outside the Greater London boundary, with Epping Forest along its western side and the River Roding on its eastern edge. The town has two Central line stations, Loughton and Debden, so it is possible to reach the City and the West End without changing trains. Buckhurst Hill lies to the south and Theydon Bois to the north-east.
We are based in Roydon, in the same district, and help Loughton clients by video call, by phone and in person at our office.
Does inheritance tax affect us?
Inheritance tax may be due when the value of an estate is above the allowances available. Those allowances depend on your circumstances: whether you are married or in a civil partnership, whether a home passes to children or grandchildren, and how large the estate is overall. Because property values around the forest edge can be high, families who would never describe themselves as wealthy sometimes find they are closer to the line than they thought.
The first step is simply to add it all up. We look at your home, savings, investments, pensions and any life cover, and model what your estate might look like now and in the future. Our inheritance tax planning page explains the process in more detail.
Five ways families plan for it
Giving during your lifetime
Gifts can reduce the value of your estate. Some are exempt straight away, such as small annual gifts and regular gifts made out of surplus income. Larger gifts usually fall outside the estate if you survive seven years. This does not apply if you keep benefiting from what you have given away, for example by carrying on living rent-free in a home you have passed to your children. The key is making sure you can afford to give without putting your own future at risk.
Using trusts
Trusts can let you pass money on while keeping some control over how and when it is used. They have their own tax rules and are not right for everyone, so we explain the options carefully.
Reviewing your pensions
From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and death benefits are due to be included in the value of an estate for inheritance tax. That makes it worth reviewing which pots you draw on first. See our pensions page.
Planning to pay rather than reduce
Some families prefer to keep their assets and plan for the bill instead. A whole of life policy written in trust can provide a lump sum to help pay inheritance tax, so the family home does not have to be sold in a hurry.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of tax and estate planning, including will writing and some trust and tax advice. Wills and lasting powers of attorney are prepared by a solicitor or qualified will writer.
Getting the paperwork right
An up-to-date will and lasting powers of attorney are the foundations. We will check whether they are in place as part of your plan; the documents themselves should be prepared by a solicitor or qualified will writer.
Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in future.
Helping with school fees or a first home
Grandparents often want to help the next generation sooner rather than later. Paying towards education or a house deposit can be part of an estate plan, as long as it is affordable. Our school fees planning page explains how contributions can be modelled as gifts.
Earlier in life
Not everyone in Loughton is thinking about estates. If you are buying your first home, remortgaging or starting a family, Kealy Ball can help with mortgages and protection. If you are mid-career, Laurence can help you check your workplace pension is on track and look at investing money you will not need for some years.
Towns near Loughton
Epping
Further along the Central line, at the end of the route.
Chingford
Across the forest, in Waltham Forest.
Waltham Abbey
North-west, on the edge of the Lee Valley.
Essex
All the Essex towns we serve.
Start with a clear picture
A free first conversation is the place to find out whether inheritance tax is likely to affect your family. There is no obligation.
Book a free first conversationImportant — the risks
The performance of your investments is subject to risk. Its performance may fluctuate based on movements in the market and economic conditions. Capital is at risk. Currency movements may also affect the value of investments. You may get back less than you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Tax treatment is based on an individual’s unique circumstances and may be subject to change.
A pension is a long-term investment — the fund value may fluctuate and can go down, and your eventual income may depend on the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.
Think carefully before securing debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Please note that some mortgages, such as commercial buy-to-lets, are not regulated by the FCA.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if inheritance tax will apply to my estate?
It depends on the value of everything you own and the allowances available to you. We add up your home, savings, investments, pensions and life cover and model your estate now and in future.
Will my pension count for inheritance tax?
From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and death benefits are due to be included in the value of an estate. Tax rules depend on your circumstances and can change.
Do you write wills?
No. We check whether your will and lasting powers of attorney are in place as part of your plan, but the documents should be prepared by a solicitor or qualified will writer.
Can you help with a mortgage in Loughton?
Yes. Kealy Ball can help with buying, moving and remortgaging. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Is the first meeting free?
Yes. Your first conversation is free and with no obligation, by video call, phone or at our Roydon office.
Laurence leads on pensions, investments and business protection. More about Laurence.
Important: This page is general information about the areas we serve and the services we offer. It is not personal financial advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, please get in touch.