Passing wealth down the generations has become a popular thing to do with family assets, especially post pension freedoms.

But as more and more demands are made of a high value family home, so extra pressure is being placed on the generation in the middle.

Equity release may be one of the fastest-growing mortgage products in the UK, but this demand on the middle generation's main asset is causing problems. This "squeezed middle" generation are findng themselves shortchanged, as both children and parents ask for help, and they are not able to put enough money aside for their own long-term well-being.

This guide highlights some of the issues, and suggests some options for those wanting to put some intergenerational planning in place.

My thanks go to: Neil Jones, wealth management and tax specialist at Canada Life; Scott Gallacher of Rowley Turton; Nick McBreen of Worldwide Financial Planning; Malcolm Steel, of Mearns & Company; Paula Shea, a partner in law firm Blake Morgan; Julie Kleis, director, fiduciary specialist, RBC Wealth Management; Paul Allan, financial adviser at Wren Sterling; Emma-Lou Montgomery, associate director, Fidelity International;  Ian Dyall, head of estate planning at Tilney Group.

Melanie Tringham is deputy features editor of Financial Adviser and FTAdviser.com