Our services
Estate planning
We provide financial advice to help you organise your affairs, consider potential Inheritance Tax liabilities and pass wealth to your chosen beneficiaries. Our recommendations take account of your objectives, family circumstances, tax position and need to retain access to capital or income.
Estate planning and Inheritance Tax
Estate planning is not solely about reducing tax. It is also about deciding who should benefit from your wealth, when they should receive it and how you can maintain your own financial security. We assess the value and structure of your estate, any potential Inheritance Tax liability and the financial arrangements that could help you achieve your objectives.
What estate planning can involve
Depending on your circumstances, estate planning may involve lifetime gifts, trusts, life assurance, investment planning and the appropriate use of available allowances and reliefs. We also consider how your assets are owned, your income and spending requirements, existing arrangements and the provision you wish to make for different beneficiaries.
Gifts, trusts and life assurance
Lifetime gifts can allow you to pass wealth to others during your lifetime, although you must consider the loss of access and control over the assets concerned. Trusts can provide greater control over who benefits and when, but they may involve legal, tax and administrative responsibilities. Life assurance may also be used to provide funds for an Inheritance Tax liability or other costs arising on death. We assess the financial suitability of these options and work with legal and tax professionals where necessary.
Organising your affairs
Clear records and up-to-date instructions can make the eventual administration of your estate considerably easier. We can help you simplify financial arrangements, maintain a record of providers and policies, and review pension and life assurance beneficiary nominations. Wills and powers of attorney should be kept up to date with the assistance of a solicitor. Executors and attorneys should also know where important information is held and whom to contact when necessary.
Working with other professionals
Estate planning often requires financial, legal and tax advice. We provide advice on investments, pensions, life assurance and the overall financial strategy, while working alongside solicitors, accountants and tax advisers where appropriate. This helps ensure that the different parts of the plan are properly coordinated and reflect your intended outcome.
Important considerations
Estate-planning arrangements can involve important trade-offs. Gifts and trusts may restrict access to your money, while insurance and investment solutions can involve costs, eligibility requirements and investment risks. Available allowances, exemptions and reliefs depend on current legislation and individual circumstances. Estate plans should therefore be reviewed following significant changes to your family, finances or the relevant tax rules.
Understanding the risks
Investments: All investments carry an element of risk and investment returns are not guaranteed. Values can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invest.
Pensions: Pensions are long-term investments. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down. The income available when you take benefits will depend on factors including the fund value, interest rates and legislation at that time.
Protection: A protection plan has no cash-in value. Cover will lapse if premiums are not maintained and will normally end when the policy term expires.
Estate Planning: Estate planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.