As part of Wealth Management, we provide private client services to individuals from all walks of life, including individuals who own assets abroad and/or live or work abroad.
The main services we provide are:
Wills
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Living Wills
Trusts
Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax Planning
Residential/Nursing Home Care Issues
Mental Capacity Issues
Probate
Will Disputes/Contentious Trust & Probate
Wills
By making a Will you can ensure that, should the worst happen, your financial affairs can be administered with the minimum amount of disruption and to the maximum benefit of those you leave behind. We have the expertise and breadth of knowledge to advise you of the alternatives available and assist you in making the best Will for your individual circumstances.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Have you ever thought about who would look after your financial affairs, or make decisions about your personal welfare or healthcare if, due to incapacity, (whether physical or mental) you were unable to do so? By preparing a Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney and/or a Personal Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney you can ensure that, should the need arise, persons of your choice will be able to deal with these matters on your behalf. We can assist you in the preparation of the necessary documents and also offer a storage service which ensures that your Lasting Power(s) of Attorney cannot be released until the time specified by you.
Living Wills
A "Living Will", or "Advance Directive", is a statement by which a person expresses his or her preferences about the medical treatment they will receive if they become incapable of making and communicating a decision about such treatment. Our service involves discussing your wishes with you and ensuring that this document accurately reflects the choices you have made.
Trusts
A Trust (also known as a Settlement) is a mechanism for holding cash or other assets. We can advise you on the most suitable type of Trust for your particular circumstances and provide guidance on who you should appoint as trustees. We will also advise you of the way in which your proposed Trust will work including, if you wish, advising on the tax implications. Our Tax team can complete the annual Trust Tax Return and our Trust and Accounting team can manage the Trust and provide annual financial accounts. In addition we can provide advice on the ways in which the Trust Fund might be invested, drawing upon the expertise of our Financial Planning Group.
Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax Planning
In today’s world, tax permeates all types of transactions. We are often called upon to advise, either on our own or in conjunction with other professional advisers, on the taxation implications of lifetime gifts, whether outright gifts or gifts into trust, gifts by Will and on the distribution of trust assets.
Residential/Nursing Home Care Issues
We can help you if you are thinking of giving your house away to "avoid" long term care fees, need advice on how care fees are calculated or are concerned that a relative may be asked to leave their care home or hospital.
Mental Capacity Issues
If a person is not able to look after their own financial affairs and that person has not completed an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney it is likely that the Court of Protection will be involved, often through the appointment of a Deputy to manage their financial affairs. Navigating the system can be difficult and stressful. We are ideally placed to offer support and guidance to ones dealing with such matters as we have considerable experience of liaising with the Court of Protection and have in our Private Capital Team three Court of Protection Deputies.
Probate
The death of a loved one is always a distressing time. Unfortunately there is much that has to be done, including sorting out his or her financial affairs. Many people think this is straightforward but the paperwork that has to be completed can be complex. Our specialist probate team can deal with all aspects of the deceased’s estate, including registering the death, obtaining a Grant of Representation, complying with H M Revenue & Customs’ requirements, assessing the risk of claims against the estate and advising about the possibility of varying the terms of a Will or intestacy to save tax or to achieve the deceased’s wishes. Our Tax Team can deal with the completion of the estate tax returns, our expert team of independent financial advisors can advise on how best to invest an inheritance and our trust experts can advise on the administration of trusts established under the Will or intestacy.
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