In March 2005, the rules relating to approaching people regarding financial promotions were relaxed so that so called ‘sophisticated investors’ and high net worth individuals (HNWIs) could be more easily approached with a view to making...
Ownership of two homes in the UK is becoming more commonplace as couples who both own houses marry, houses are inherited, parents buy houses for their children to live in, or people just buy a place in the country, either to let or to escape to at weekends....
Managing an active retirement can present significant problems for the many people who are blessed with good health but cursed by the effects of the poor performance of pension funds and low annuity rates over the last two decades. This combination of factors...
With the introduction of top-up tuition fees in 2006, gaining a university education has become even more expensive. If you have children going away to university there are money saving options worth considering, if you are in a position to take advantage of...
For people who have money tied up in their homes who wish to release capital for expenditure, or possibly to give to family members, the drawdown lifetime mortgage (DLM) is a possible vehicle.
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Inheritance Tax (IHT) is paid on your estate when you die and also when money is transferred into some trust funds. Some other transfers during one’s lifetime may also be subject to IHT. The first £312,000 (at 2008/9 rates) of the estate is...
In recent years, Inheritance Tax (IHT) has affected more and more families, largely due to rising house prices. IHT is payable at 40 per cent on the net assets of an estate where these exceed £300,000 – the current nil-rate band. Investing in...
Fluctuations in the stock market have had an adverse effect on the value of many people’s pensions. At the same time, many people have seen the value of their home rise sharply.
It is no surprise that financial services groups are...
Many people, as they grow older, worry about where they will live if they are no longer able to manage in their own home. For some, the need will arise for nursing home or residential care.
The cost of care varies greatly, depending on...
When younger members of a family start a business, they often ask other family members to provide part of the necessary capital. If you are approached to do this and are willing to provide funding, it is often difficult to know how best to provide...
Most people buy and sell the property they live in without any thoughts about tax (other than, perhaps, Stamp Duty Land Tax). However, there are some circumstances in which selling the property you live in can cause tax problems. Some of the main ones are:...
The ‘buy to let’ market is still reasonably buoyant, fuelled by the availability of lending, a relatively high level of confidence in property price stability and an increasing demand for rented accommodation.
In this article...
