What Is Wealth Management?

Wealth, just like your health, must be carefully preserved. Your assets need to be protected against the potential threats of erosion by taxation, the effects of inflation and investment risks.

Whatever your level of wealth, there is nothing wrong in deciding to prepare a risk aversion strategy. Risk aversion is a reasonable and prudent strategy for anyone sure that they already have ample assets to provide for themselves and their family in the future.

There are plenty of ways of preserving wealth in real terms, protecting against most of the uncertainties that may threaten it and allowing you to sleep at night, but the unidentified risks are a far greater threat to your wealth than tax. While tax may threaten a proportion of your wealth, poorly identified risks can destroy it all.

Risk aversion starts with asking oneself a few questions such as:

Mortgages are loans which are intended to help buyers purchase residential property. When you take out a loan, the lender charges interest: the same is true of a mortgage.

A mortgage is a ‘secured’ loan, which means that the loan is secured against the property being purchased until the mortgage is paid off. Sources of residential mortgages include high street banks, building societies, and other types of less well-known financial institutions.

Basic conditions

Mortgage providers follow a set of rules and procedures when deciding whether or not they will agree to provide a mortgage to purchase a residential property. Although different lenders apply different lending criteria, the amount a potential buyer can expect to borrow from a property’s purchase price is determined solely by the mortgage provider’s requirements.
Here are some of the factors lenders take into account when making their decision:

Long-term care planning is about taking measures to ensure you are equipped for any support or services you may need in later life. It’s about ensuring any compensation award and any right to means-tested benefits are protected. It is also about maximising your financial security.

Types of care

There are various forms of care or support you might need which are likely to change with time.

Initially, independence may be your focus, so sheltered accommodation or assisted living may be appropriate. With these, help is on hand in an emergency and a warden can provide limited assistance.

Domiciliary care is an option whereby a carer can help with daily activities such as personal care, at home.

A newer form of care is emerging which is called live-in care. This is where you have a carer around the clock to assist you with day to day living.

It may be that you will only need short term care. This is known as reablement care which is centred around keeping you living independently.

A care home may be the next best step, either residential or nursing care - or both.

Inheritance Tax (IHT)

The government levies tax on the value of a person’s estate, if their estate is worth more than the Nil Rate Band. The IHT ‘Nil Rate Band’ (NRB) is currently £325,000 (2024/2025) and many people are still getting caught in the trap of property inheritance tax as the threshold has not kept pace with the inflation of property prices, and so is affecting more and more people.

There is also an additional ‘main residence’ allowance (‘Property Nil Rate Band’ (PNRB)) which applies if a person’s home is given to their children (including adopted, foster or stepchildren), surviving husband or wife, or grandchildren. This is set at £175,000 (2024/2025) and is added to the IHT threshold providing a total allowance of £500,000 (2024/2025).

When a relative dies and leaves an estate worth more than £325,000 (2024/2025) or £500,000 (2024/2025) if the ‘main residence’ allowance applies, families are required to pay tax on the amount in excess of the NRB (and PNRB if applicable) within six months. After that, they are charged interest at a rate of 7.75% (2024/2025).

However, there are ways to lessen the burden of property IHT.

Capital Gains Tax Allowances, Liabilities & Reliefs

In the tax year 2024/2025, an individual’s CGT allowance is £3000.

This means you do not have to pay tax on gains from buying and selling shares or other investments during the tax year up to that amount. You do not normally have to pay tax on any gain you make when you sell your main residence.

Income Tax Allowances

PLEASE NOTE: the figures shown below apply to English taxpayers. Scottish taxpayers have different rates and bands. For more details, visit https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-income-tax-2024-2025-rates-and-bands/.

The income tax Personal Allowance for the year 2024/2025 is £12,570 (2024/2024 - £12,570). If your total income is less than this during the tax year, you have no tax to pay.

Taxing Questions

Most of us face being taxed on our income, our capital gains, and in some circumstances the value of our estate when we die.

Taxation can be very complicated and the rules, reliefs and allowances often change, so it is worth obtaining a clear grasp of how these taxes work by discussing with a professional adviser the most efficient way to arrange your finances.

An expert will be able to help you plan your taxes in advance, and come up with effective strategies that will use the lawful reliefs and allowances to minimise the amount you have to pay.

By understanding how taxation works, you should be better prepared to manage your finances and you could save money in the long run.

One thing can be said for all forms of tax: if you do nothing, it is possible that you could end up paying more to the Government than you actually need to do.

It should be noted that the information contained in this section relates to our current understanding of the law of England & Wales as it relates to Lasting Power of Attorney which is subject to change. Laws in other parts of the UK will differ.

Managing your affairs and lasting power of attorney

There may come a time when, because you are incapable of managing your property and financial affairs or personal welfare, you will need someone to do this for you.

You can formally appoint a friend, relative or professional to hold a lasting power of attorney that will allow them to act on your behalf. Lasting power of attorney (LPA) in England and Wales has no legal standing until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. A lasting power of attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust as an 'attorney' to make decisions on your behalf.

It can be drawn up at any time while you have capacity but has no legal standing until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

Introduction to Trusts

A trust is an obligation binding in a person (which can be an individual or a company) called a 'trustee' to deal with 'property' in a particular way, for the benefit of one or more 'beneficiaries'.

What is a 'trustee'?

Trustees are the legal owners of the trust property. They are legally bound to look after the property of the trust in a particular way and for a particular purpose. Trustees administer the trust and in certain circumstances make decisions about how the property in trust is to be used.

What is property?

The property of a trust can include:

1. Money
2. Investments
3. Land or buildings
4. Other assets, such as paintings

The cash and investments held in the trust are also called the 'capital' or 'fund' of the trust. This capital (or fund) may produce income, such as interest or dividends. The land and buildings may produce rental income.

Building Relationships with Our Clients

Your financial situation is unique and so are our services. We follow a four-step process to build a relationship and provide quality advice:

Our Process for Providing Quality Advice

1.    Understanding You
By gathering information from you we will find out about any plans you already have in place. Then by exploring your attitude to risk and return, and your hopes and aspirations, we will build a picture of what you want to achieve.

At this stage, you will find out what to expect from us and how you will benefit from using us.

2.    Planning
We’ll explore and research various scenarios to make the best use of your existing plans.

We’ll then recommend how you can build on your existing plans so you give yourself the best chance of achieving your goals.