Ellis Estate Planning

02/07/2026

Most couples think they each own half the house. And emotionally, that makes perfect sense. If you ever got divorced, you’d expect half.

But death doesn’t work the same way.

Most married couples own their home as something called Joint Tenants. Which means when one of you dies… ‘your half’ of the house automatically passes to the surviving spouse.

But that doesn’t have to happen. You have the choice.
You probably didn’t even realise. Most people don’t…

You can allow your share of the home to pass to your spouse automatically, so they own all of it…100%. Every single brick.

And then they can choose what they do with it next. Which you probably trust them to do… after all, their wishes are much the same as yours, aren’t they?

To eventually leave it your children, and give them a level of financial security you may never have had.

But since the introduction of the Care Act in 2014, a home may be used to fund the cost of later life care. And, if your spouse needs care later in life…that’s fair. They should, and will, self-fund as much of their care as they can.

But if your share of the house automatically passed to your spouse, ‘your’ share could be used too. Because it’s theirs now. And your children might not get it, even if you wanted them to. Even though it’s not you receiving care.

If you would rather leave your share to your children?

You can. And you can do it in a way that allows your spouse to keep the legal right to live in it if you die first. Which means life still carries on normally for them. They still live there. Still make tea in the same kitchen. Still sleep in the same bedroom. Still sit in the same garden during summer.

But ‘your’ half is not theirs. The half you spent decades paying for, eventually passes to your children. Because that’s what you chose.

If you want to leave your half of the house to your children, contact us. We’ll show you how to structure things so your spouse keeps the right to live in the home, whilst you still decide where your half eventually goes.

Because it’s your choice.

30/06/2026

Proud to be listed on Kent Small Business!

24/02/2026

Which trust is right for your family in Faversham?
I outline three common options and when each is most useful:
1) Life interest trust — ideal for second marriages; provides income to a spouse while preserving capital for children.
2) Discretionary trust — best for protecting assets from creditors and for complex family situations; gives trustees control over distributions.
3) Bare trust — simple and tax-efficient for passing assets to adult beneficiaries who should receive them outright.
Each choice affects asset protection, tax-aware planning and control over distributions. If you own a business, are caring for dependants, or want to safeguard an inheritance, I can explain the practical outcomes for your circumstances. I focus on trusts and estate planning, providing straightforward advice tailored to Faversham families.
Find out more: https://wix.to/kyZMhEa

17/02/2026

Are you a homeowner in Faversham thinking about how to protect your family’s assets? At Ellis Estate Planning we combine legal and financial expertise to help you reduce estate tax exposure. Three practical strategies to consider: 1) Use trusts to shelter assets and control distributions; 2) Make regular, exempt gifts to reduce your taxable estate; 3) Draft your will carefully to take advantage of reliefs and simplify administration. These steps can preserve more value for your heirs and make probate smoother. Want to explore what suits your situation? Visit https://wix.to/KlTydi3 to learn more or get in touch.

17/02/2026

Small changes, big savings for Faversham households — practical estate tax planning made simple. Discover three clear strategies: use available exemptions, plan lifetime gifts, and choose the right trusts to reduce inheritance tax exposure and ensure smoother transfers. How much could your family save? Visit us to find out: https://wix.to/muEhy78 🏡📑 . Call or message us to book a local consultation.

17/02/2026

Planning for change preserves choice. A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone you trust to manage decisions about your money and property if you cannot. In Faversham, that could mean a family member handling household bills and benefits after an illness — without needing a court-appointed deputy. Why act now? Early planning protects your independence and reduces stress for those you love. With Martyn Ellis’s decades of financial planning experience, we draft LPAs carefully and empathetically; LPAs are a core service at our firm. Learn how we can help: https://wix.to/eB3SJQy 🔒📄👥 . Contact us to discuss your options.

17/02/2026

Faversham families: are your wishes protected? With over 35 years of financial planning experience, I help you secure clarity, reduce family conflict and ensure legal certainty. Three simple steps: 1) Prepare by listing assets and beneficiaries; 2) Gather ID, property deeds, bank statements and any existing wills; 3) Avoid common pitfalls like informal notes, unclear executors and unsigned documents. Book a personalised review with Ellis Estate Planning to use a proven, bespoke process that makes will writing straightforward and secure. Learn more: https://wix.to/3PAUtuz

17/02/2026

Thinking about who will make decisions for you if you cannot? Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) give you that certainty now. There are two main types: a Health and Welfare LPA for medical and care choices, and a Property and Financial Affairs LPA for bills, benefits and bank matters. For example, a parent in Faversham can appoint a trusted family member to manage finances if illness strikes, or nominate someone to agree to care arrangements for an elderly relative. At Ellis Estate Planning we take a hands-on approach. With Martyn’s years of experience, we guide you through choosing attorneys, setting safeguards and registering LPAs so your loved ones face less stress and your wishes are clear. Would you like a straightforward review of your options? Visit https://wix.to/RRTw36z to book a consultation. 🔒🙂

16/02/2026

I have written a clear, step-by-step guide to making a legally valid will in the UK — designed to help you protect your family, appoint executors, and set out guardianship or gifts with confidence. Why take this step? A proper will avoids uncertainty, reduces risk of disputes and helps manage tax implications.

In the guide I explain: how to gather assets and debts, the formal signing and witness requirements, when to seek professional advice, and practical tips for keeping your will safe. With over 35 years of financial planning experience, I help clients in Faversham create wills, trusts and lasting powers of attorney tailored to their circumstances.

Read the full guide and get practical next steps: https://wix.to/gFGxwGg

Have questions about your situation? Comment below or contact us to arrange a local consultation. 📝🏠

Creating a will is a crucial step in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. It provides peace of mind and clarity for your loved ones during a difficult time. If you have not yet made a will, or if you want to update an existing one, this guide will walk...