Many of us don’t like to think about what will happen when we die but Estate Planning is an integral part of your overall financial plan.
Estate planning is the process of preparing for the transfer and preservation of your assets upon your death. You can determine who receives your assets and when. At Four Wealth Management, your Financial Adviser will help you to create an Estate Plan that minimises your tax obligations. This will make sure your wealth is preserved and handed to your beneficiaries in the most effective way possible.
An Estate Plan can also outline which trustee should manage your assets in the event that you are incapacitated and unable to do so yourself. These arrangements reduce stress for your family and make your wishes known.
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Create a Will
The first step to most Estate Plans is writing a Will. A Will can be used to establish Trusts upon your death to determine who receives your assets and when. If you die without a Will in place, the estate falls under the laws of intestacy which means the state dictates who receives what assets and is unlikely to be divided the way the deceased person had wanted. A Will is a way to preserve your wealth and pass your legacy on, on your own terms.
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Consider setting up a Trust
Trusts can be a good way to retain control over the circumstances that your wealth is passed onto your beneficiaries.
Trusts can be tailored to meet your needs and requirements. You may want the beneficiaries to inherit the trust as soon as you die or to access it at a certain age. Alternatively, the assets can be held indefinitely to preserve your wealth and give your beneficiary a certain benefit, such as a place to live.
You can set up a trust at any time or write one into your Will. Tax implications surrounding trusts is complex and our advisers can help you understand if a trust is the best option for you. We will also help your trustees in understanding their roles in passing on your assets.
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Create a bespoke Estate Plan with a professional
Estate Planning is a complex process and not something that you can easily navigate alone. Your Estate Plan should be tailored specifically to your needs, goals and family situation.
Contact a Financial Adviser at Four Wealth Management today on 0117 973 0500 or email fourwm@sjpp.co.uk to book a no-obligation review meeting to discuss arranging an Estate Plan. The initial meeting will last approximately one hour and can be conducted on the telephone, at our office in Bristol or at your home address.
Please note that advice relating to a Will or most forms of Trust, will necessitate the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by Four Wealth Management or St. James’s Place.
Please note that Wills and Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
