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Happy Retirements Made in Teesside

Estate Planning

Making sure your wishes are clear, your assets protected, and your loved ones looked after.

Joslin Rhodes - Happy retired couple outdoors. The man has his arm around the woman as they smile together. She is wearing a blue cardigan, and he is in a pale blue shirt.

We've Been Protecting Teessiders for Over 20 Years

Estate Planning, or ‘Protect’ as we call it, is all about safeguarding your assets and making sure that your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone.

Whether you need to write a Will, set up a Trust or Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), reduce Inheritance Tax, or protect your estate from Care Fees, our expert Estate Planning team is here to help.

We’ll take away all the complicated legal jargon and explain things in simple, easy to understand terms.

We’ll also help to clear up some of those common myths – like the idea of signing the house over to the kids automatically protects it from Care Fees (it doesn’t!).

You just need to tell us what you want to protect, and we’ll make sure what you leave behind goes to the people you choose, not the taxman or anyone else you hadn’t planned for.

Joslin Rhodes - Striking view of Middlesbrough’s iconic Transporter Bridge framed through a weathered brick wall, capturing the town’s industrial heritage.

Here’s where Joslin Rhodes can help

Inheritance Tax Planning

Concerned about inheritance tax and what it might mean for your family? Learn how Inheritance Tax Planning can help you pass on more of your estate.

Will Writing Services

Are you thinking about writing a Will or just curious about how they work in the UK?Find out what’s involved and how you can make sure your wishes are clear.

Will Reviews

Planning for the future means making sure your Will still reflects your wishes. Our Will Review Services can check everything’s up-to-date and  your plans still work for you and your family.

Lasting Power of Attorney

Thinking about who would make decisions if you couldn’t? A Lasting Power of Attorney helps you stay in control — even if life takes an unexpected turn.

Care Fees Planning

Worried about how care costs might affect your savings or your family’s future? Our Care Fees Planning Services help you understand your options and protect what matters most.

Property Trusts

Not sure how Property Trusts work or whether one’s right for you? Let us explain your options and  protect your home for the future.

Pension Trusts

Wondering how Pension Trusts work? We’ll show you how they can help you pass on your pension in a tax-efficient way and protect what you leave behind.

Savings Trusts

Looking for a way to protect and grow your savings while keeping control over how they’re passed on? Our Savings Trust Services can help you plan ahead.

21%

intend to gift money to family members to avoid Inheritance Tax

£15 billion

goes unclaimed in the UK due to a lack of estate planning

50%

of UK adults do not have a Will

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

Read what some of our clients have to say about us…

My experience with Joslin Rhodes has been excellent.

As someone who really didn’t understand pensions and was concerned for the future, I can say my experience with Joslin Rhodes has been excellent. Everyone I have met have been very professional but also friendly making you feel completely at ease. I cannot praise them highly enough for making this a pain free journey. A very big thank you.

Amanda Kelly

Their professionalism and knowledge certainly gives us confidence.

Friendly and welcoming staff, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.  It’s a very daunting and important decision when deciding on investments, particularly with pensions but their professionalism and knowledge certainly gives us confidence for a long and happy future.

Dave Redwick

Nothing is too much trouble.

We called into Joslin Rhodes after a recommendation from colleagues. We went through a number of sessions talking and reviewing our situation with the view for early retirement. We were fully supported and given reassuring advice in deciding to retire early and are now very happy in our retirement. We would not hesitate to recommend Joslin Rhodes.

Rita Johnson

Very professional warm and friendly team.

Joslin Rhodes have taken the strain off us having to worry about money now that we have retired. They keep us informed and advised at every stage. It’s a bit like having a friend who you can trust to look after your financial health while you are free to go about enjoying the rest of your life.

Karen Hammond

Every step has been explained very well.

Really pleased how my Pensions have been handled with Joslin Rhodes. Every step has been explained very well so we could understand the process. Looking forward to the next stage being completed, also the hospitality we have received at our meetings has been excellent.

Stephen Coates

We can get on and enjoy our retirement.

We were unsure how to manage both our savings and pensions. We went along to see the team at Joslin Rhodes and had several discussions about options open to us. We have now both investments and pensions being managed by Joslin Rhodes.

Connie Hall

Frequently Asked Questions about Estate Planning

What will happen if I don’t have a Will?

If you die without a Will (known as dying intestate), UK law will decide how your assets are distributed. This could mean that your estate may not go to the people or causes you care about most. Having a valid Will in place ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, helping to avoid family disputes and reducing the complexity of the legal process.

How can I reduce Inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is currently charged at 40% on estates over £325,000 (or £500,000 if passing a home to direct descendants). However, there are several legal ways to reduce IHT, such as setting up Trusts, gifting assets, and making charitable donations. Our Estate Planning Services can help you explore these options, ensuring that as much of your estate as possible goes to your loved ones rather than to taxes.

What is a Trust and how does it work in Estate Planning?

A Trust is a legal arrangement where you (the “settlor”) transfer assets to Trustees, who manage them for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries. Trusts can be an effective tool in Estate Planning to protect assets, reduce inheritance tax, and control how and when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance. There are also several different types of trusts, including Property Trusts, Pension Trusts, and Savings Trusts. We can help you set up a trust that aligns with your goals and ensures your assets are managed according to your wishes.

When should I start Estate Planning?

It’s never too early to start Estate Planning. Life is unpredictable, and having a plan in place gives you control over your assets, provides for your loved ones, and ensures your wishes are respected in the event of illness or death. Regularly reviewing and updating your Estate Plan, especially after major life events like marriage, having children, or acquiring significant assets, is equally important.

What can I expect from a ‘Protect’ meeting with Joslin Rhodes?

At your first meeting, held at our Planning Rooms location of Preston Farm, Stockton-on-Tees, you’ll meet a member of our Protect Team. They will listen to your concerns and chat about what estate plans you may already have in place, before talking through your options to plug any gaps. We’ll also look at things like what you want to happen to your estate when you’re gone and help solve any potential issues.

Ready to Talk?

Our friendly team are here to help. Simply pop a few details into the form and we’ll be in touch.

Let’s show you:

  • When you can afford to retire
  • How much money you’ll need in retirement
  • How to make the most of your pensions and other assets to fund your lifestyle