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Budget 2021 – what it means for your finances
BUDGET 2021 - WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR FINANCESThis article explores the major changes announced in the Budget of 3rd March 2021, and in particular the effect on your personal finances. This article refers to the position in England & Wales. Click the video below to...
Investing Money – how to invest
Investing Money - how to investInvesting money can be daunting for beginners. This article explores how to invest your money, from basic concepts to professional, expert tips on investing. Who should read this article? This article will be useful if you are interested...
Dealing with a financial emergency
DEALING WITH A FINANCIAL CRISISThe recent Coronavirus pandemic has left us all feeling financially vulnerable, no matter what our situation. This article aims to provide some practical support with how to deal with a financial emergency. We take you through...
Emergency fund – savings for unexpected costs
Your Emergency Fund An emergency fund is a pot of money you should have available for use if an unexpected bill comes your way. This is one of the most important elements of your financial planning. Everyone should have an emergency fund, but most people do not have...
Probate Fees Increase 2019
PROBATE FEES INCREASE 2019 The UK Government has announced that probate fees will be reviewed as part of an overhaul of court fees, reversing their previous commitment to switch probate fees from a flat fee to a banded approach. Changes were due to take place in April...
Continuing Account of a Deceased Investor (CADI)
CONTINUING ACCOUNT OF A DECEASED INVESTOR Since April 2018 the rules have changed on how ISAs can be passed on to spouses and civil partners on death. The rules allow for a continuing account of a deceased investor (CADI). These changes improve the rules on Additional...
ISA season
WHY ISA SEASON IS IN APRIL, NOT MARCH Have you heard of 'ISA season'? Every March, just before the end of the tax year, we read in the financial press about how you should 'use your ISA allowance, or lose it'. This article explains the flaw in the logic of ISA season,...
The Care Act 2014
The Care Act 2014 came into force from April 2015 and builds on recent reviews and reforms to replace and update the existing law. Its aim is to provide a consistent approach to adult social care in England and is in two parts: Part one consolidates and...
Probate fee increases to add 2.5% to the inheritance tax rate
The Ministry of Justice is proposing eye-watering probate fee increases - effectively increasing the inheritance tax rate by 2.5% for larger estates. The largest estates will pay a whopping £20,000 to be allowed to distribute assets -that is an increase of over 9,200%...
Transferrable ISA allowance on death
We explain how married couples and civil partners can use the transferrable ISA allowance on death (known as the Additional Permitted Subscription, or APS). This permits the surviving spouse to keep the accumulated ISA allowance of their deceased partner. These rules...
What happens when someone dies?
The death of a loved-one is always a shock, and you will have questions about how to deal with the practicalities of the money and assets. This article explains what happens when someone dies. This article explains the position in England and Wales. Key points: Is...
Pension death benefits changes
Pension funds will receive a boost in April 2015 when the tax on certain death benefits is removed. You can now pass your entire pension fund to anyone tax-free if you die before age 75, whether you have accessed the income or not. Tweet this You will no longer be...
Dying without a will
If you have overlooked making a will this article applies to you, especially if you are not married or have step-children. You will be amazed at the inconsistencies in the law if you die suddenly without making a will. You could open some disastrous family issues if...
What to do with an inheritance – investment advice
Have you received an inheritance? If so, you need to make important decisions, which may affect your future security. We are often asked about inheritance investment advice. Surprisingly, although an inheritance is a windfall, the sudden wealth this brings can mean...
The ultimate guide to why you should make a will
You know you should have a will, but do you have one? If so, when was it last reviewed? We all know we should make a will, but most of us put it off. This can have disastrous consequences for your family, as this article explains. This article covers the English law...
Why make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
It is a sad fact of life that we all know someone who has been seriously ill during their lifetime. This is why most of us insure our lives and probably our incomes. However, have you thought about the practical consequences of getting ill? If you get ill you may...
7 strategies to avoid inheritance tax
This article explores all you need to know about how to avoid inheritance tax in the UK (IHT). We explain who pays inheritance tax, how much inheritance tax might be due, and all the issues you need to know if you want to avoid inheritance tax legally. [box...
Financial planning and wills
You may have seen the series of programmes on the BBC with Gerry Robinson helping people through difficult decisions regarding their wills and estate planning. This is a very important subject, and is one which is often neglected by people who we meet. The value...
