“Inheritance Tax is paid by people who distrust their heirs more than they dislike the Inland Revenue!” These words from a former Chancellor are now far from reality due to the Government’s clampdown on perceived ‘tax evasion’ in recent years, and their ongoing desire to restrict...
The act of marriage invalidates an existing Will, unless it was written in contemplation of marriage, as you have become a ‘different legal entity’. Divorce does not have the same effect of invalidating a Will. Instead, your ex-spouse will be deemed to have ‘died’ on the...
In the run up to the 2010 general election, the Conservatives pledged to raise the tax-free threshold on death to £1m per person if they got into power. In 2015 they had to find a way of delivering on their pledge - but all is...
Ironically, you may be worth substantially more dead than alive! In many cases this is due to Life Assurance – the one kind of insurance you buy that you will never actually benefit from yourself. However, an often overlooked asset comes in the form of employee’s...
This Spring brought a welcome change to the inheritance tax (IHT) regime for foreign domiciled individuals living in the UK and married to a UK-domiciled spouse. A regime which had been in place since 1982. Prior to April 2013, a non-UK domiciled spouse (inc civil partners)...
Many Banks will offer their ‘most valued’ customers a “Free Will” - never before has the saying been so true that “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!” I provide a free ‘audit’ for clients with existing Wills, and as a...
I have recently been contacted by several of my clients who had received door drop leaflets inviting them to attend a free seminar on 'Protecting your home from Care Home Fees' - they were wanting to know if it was a scam. They had gone along...