Lasting Power of Attorney

Filling the gap if you lose the capacity to deal with your affairs

There is a distinct possibility that you could lose the capacity to deal with your affairs well before you die. Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are intended to fill the gap. An LPA is important, and it should be drawn up while you still have full capacity (they are often dealt with at the same time as a Will). Bear in mind that incapacity could be triggered by an accident or a sudden illness, rather than gradual decline.

Inheritance Tax

Taking advantage of the new rules that apply from 6 April 2017

Unforeseen life events and circumstances can potentially impact your finances in a number of ways. We can help you to safeguard your wealth for future generations.

It’s good to give

Inheritance Tax exemptions

Making a gift to your family and friends while you’re alive can be a very effective way to reduce the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes and benefit your loved ones immediately.

Alternative exemptions

Reducing the amount of Inheritance Tax payable on other assets

Business
Depending on how you own the business and what type of business it is, you could receive either 50% or 100% tax relief on it. Business Relief reduces the value of a business or its assets when working out how much Inheritance Tax (IHT) has to be paid.

Trusts

An important part of your estate preservation process

If you want to mitigate the effects of Inheritance Tax (IHT) on your estate, trusts can be an important part of the process. When you put cash, property or investments in a trust, provided certain conditions are satisfied, you don’t own it any more. This means it might not count towards your IHT bill when you die. 

Delegating power

When you are unable to make your own decisions

More than two million Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) registrations will have been filed by the end of 2016, with the number of appointments more than trebling between 2010 and 2015.

Top Trump

Winners and losers from the seismic US election result

After a long and brutal US presidential election campaign, Donald Trump emerged victorious, winning 279 electoral votes and 47.5% of the popular vote. Republicans also maintained majorities in the House and the Senate.

2016/17 Year End Planning

Keeping your taxes as low as possible – what you may wish to consider sooner rather than later

The 2016/17 year end for tax planning purposes is now only a matter of months away, with the deadline approaching on 5 April. Effective tax planning is about knowing the personal and business taxes you are liable to pay and acting to legally minimise them. It is also about maximising your net income and creating opportunities to invest and save tax-efficiently for the current and future needs of your business, your family and yourself.

Investment outlook

Taking advantage of opportunities in 2017

After a game-changing 2016, the investment environment was not only mixed but characterised by uneven global growth and political events such as Brexit and the US elections.