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BUDGET 2024 The Changes To Inheritance tax

The budget 2024, our new Government has decided in it's first budget to raise further income for the Treasury by increasing Inheritance Tax. Whilst the rates have not increased the existing allowances (ie nil rate bands), have been extended for a further fixed period...

A Right of Residence

A Right of Residence is something you can include in your Will If you own a house and want to make sure that someone can continue living there after your death one of your options is to create a Right of Residence for them. This will make sure that the person keeps...

It pays to be civil

Mixed sex couples can enter a Civil Partnership and enjoy most of the Tax benefits of being married. This is a legal relationship which provides some real financial benefit to those who wish to live together without getting married. The set up costs are nominal...

Pension Pot Perils

With the new legislation on Pension Pot withdrawals coming into force from April 2015 there are considerable risks for those who take out large lump sums. The immediate effect is to increase the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. A large withdrawal...

When Dementia Strikes

When the first signs of Dementia appear it is imperative to put your health and financial affairs in order. Initially you will probably be in full control of your faculties but as time progresses you will begin to lose control of your mental and physical abilities. To...

Care Act 2014

The provisions of the Care Act 2014 come into force from April 2015 It is worthy to note that from then Local Authorities will not have the power to assess married couples/civil partners jointly for means test purposes . Each person considered for care will have to be...

Tony Benn ‘s Trust

It is reported today that maverick socialist Tony Benn's £5m estate will probably avoid Inheritance Tax. The reason appears to be because it was placed in Trust after the death of his late wife. Tax experts say it is likely a 'deed of variation' was utilised to...

1925 Intestacy Rules changed

With effect from 1 October 2014 a new piece of legislation called "The Inheritance and Trustees Powers Act 2014" comes into force abolishing previous rules established in 1925. These relate to persons who die without leaving a Will. From the beginning of this month...

Families as ‘Cash Cows’

Families are being used as 'Cash Cows' by the government imposing the immoral double tax upon inheritance. So says Dia Chakravarty of the Taxpayers Alliance commenting on the latest figures released yesterday. With the average price of a home in the south east now at...

Affordable Funeral Plans

Our recent association with 'Golden Leaves Limited' , a company specialising in the provision of Funeral Plans, enables us to offer really affordable Funeral Plans . The average cost of a funeral today is approximately £3600. This has to be found by your executors out...

What would my parents have wanted?

In a period of grief following death how often is the question raised by bewildered loved ones " what would mother or father wanted to happen?  Which of us will inherit the chattels in the house and the car? Are we to sell the house and divide the proceeds? If so are...