Why Family Wealth and Property Finance Now Intersect

The property market has always been a cornerstone of family wealth.

But in 2025, with inheritance tax thresholds under pressure and property values forming the bulk of many estates, the connection between mortgages, trusts, and estate planning has never been stronger.

Families are increasingly using finance strategically — not just to buy property, but to manage tax exposure, release liquidity, and structure wealth transfer efficiently.

The best mortgage brokers in this space don’t work in isolation. They coordinate with solicitors, accountants, and wealth planners to ensure every loan fits within a family’s broader financial architecture — balancing opportunity, control, and legacy.

For a deeper look at how finance supports inheritance planning, read Inheritance Tax Planning with Whole of Life Policies.

The Modern Family Finance Challenge

Changes to tax policy in 2025 have reshaped the landscape for affluent families and landowners.

The Labour government’s review of inheritance tax reliefs, including the agricultural and business property exemptions, has increased the need for proactive estate planning.

Property-rich families, in particular, face new liquidity challenges.

On paper, they’re wealthy; in practice, much of that wealth is locked in illiquid assets — farms, property portfolios, or land. Without smart planning, these assets can trigger substantial IHT liabilities on death, often forcing premature sales.

A broker experienced in this field can help families use property finance strategically — unlocking capital when needed, structuring lending within trusts, or deploying protection policies to cover future tax exposures.

For further context, see How Whole of Life Policies Help Mitigate Inheritance Tax.

How the Best Brokers Work with Trusts

Trusts remain one of the most effective vehicles for preserving family wealth.

They allow assets — including property — to be managed, gifted, or transferred in a controlled and tax-efficient way. But financing within or around trusts requires specialist knowledge.

Not all lenders are comfortable with trust-owned property.

The best brokers understand how to present trust structures to lenders, navigate requirements for trustees and beneficiaries, and ensure all parties meet regulatory obligations.

They also liaise directly with trust solicitors and accountants to coordinate borrowing documentation — ensuring lending aligns with both trust deeds and long-term family strategy.

For more detail on this, read Trusts and Property Finance in 2025: Lender Attitudes, Risk Appetite, and What’s Changing.

Using Mortgages and Protection to Manage IHT Exposure

Inheritance tax planning often involves liquidity — having cash available when it’s needed most.

A key strategy for high-net-worth families in 2025 is using whole-of-life insurance combined with property finance.

Here’s how it works:

• A whole-of-life policy provides a guaranteed payout that can be used to settle IHT liabilities.
• The policy is usually written in trust, keeping it outside the estate.
• A mortgage or loan facility can be used to optimise liquidity, refinance assets, or fund premium payments.

This ensures families can preserve property assets without forced sales while meeting tax obligations efficiently.
The right broker ensures these arrangements are structured cleanly and understood by both the lender and tax advisers.

Multi-Generational Finance and Gifting

In 2025, more families are adopting multi-generational property finance strategies.

Parents and grandparents are using equity release, lifetime mortgages, or securities-backed loans to help younger generations onto the property ladder — while maintaining control and minimising immediate tax exposure.

The best brokers help structure these arrangements in a way that protects both sides:

• Avoiding unintended gifts that could create future IHT issues.
• Managing affordability and title structure under Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) models.
• Coordinating legal and tax advice to align with family objectives.

This approach turns property finance into a living tool for intergenerational support — not just a transaction.

The Role of Specialist Advice in Family Office Lending

Family offices and private clients often have unique borrowing needs — from cross-border holdings to complex trust structures and private banking relationships.

The best brokers in this space act as family finance architects, consolidating multiple assets and liabilities under a coherent funding plan.

At Willow Private Finance, we regularly collaborate with accountants and wealth advisers to align property funding with estate goals — whether refinancing trust-held assets, raising liquidity for tax planning, or structuring facilities around generational transfer strategies.

Why Families Choose Willow Private Finance

For more than 15 years, Willow Private Finance has worked alongside legal, tax, and wealth professionals to support families with complex property and inheritance structures.

Our experience spans:

• Property lending for trusts and estates
• IHT mitigation through structured finance and insurance
• High-value refinancing for succession planning
• Coordination between lenders, trustees, and advisers

We’re independent, whole-of-market, and focused on protecting family wealth across generations — not just arranging loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a mortgage through a family trust?
Yes — but only a subset of lenders will accept trust ownership. A specialist broker ensures the trust deed, trustees, and beneficiaries meet lender criteria.

How does a whole-of-life policy help with inheritance tax?
It creates a guaranteed payout, often written in trust, to cover expected IHT liabilities — preventing forced property sales upon death.

Can equity release be used for intergenerational gifting?
Yes. Lifetime mortgages can help fund deposits for children or grandchildren, but careful tax and legal advice is essential.

Are there mortgages designed for family offices or complex estates?
Yes. Specialist and private banks offer bespoke facilities for trust, corporate, or multi-entity ownership structures.



Should I review my trust or protection arrangements regularly?
Absolutely. Tax thresholds, property values, and lender criteria evolve — annual reviews ensure your structure remains compliant and efficient.

📞 Planning Your Family’s Financial Legacy?

If your family holds property within trusts, or you’re planning to restructure assets for inheritance tax efficiency, book a confidential consultation with Willow Private Finance.

We’ll align your finance strategy with your estate objectives — ensuring your wealth passes efficiently, securely, and on your terms.