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Divorce And Your Finances
Organising a divorce can be a whole lot more complicated (and emotional) than organising a wedding. The process can, however, become a lot easier if you approach it with a clear understanding of your rights and obligations. Here is a quick guide to help. If you have...
How long can you hold shares?
It’s probably safe to say that, wherever you are in the world right now, investors are taking one of two actions as regards their shares. They’re either reaching for their parachutes and bailing out of the stock market or they’re buckling their seatbelts and...
HMRC Gets Tougher on Businesses
HMRC, like everyone else, is clearly struggling with pandemic conditions. Notwithstanding this, however, it has found time to make some fairly significant changes. If you own a business, you need to know about them. Claiming preferential status in insolvencies As of...
Government Winter Financial Support
In the Budget 2020 on Wednesday 11 March, the Chancellor announced significant support for businesses and individuals to financially survive the coronavirus pandemic. This evolved throughout the summer with more support and schemes extended. On 24 September 2020,...
Who Should Inherit Your Wealth?
Wills are for anybody with assets who love someone or something more than they love the government. This includes young people, who, sadly, can die unexpectedly. The simple fact of the matter is that we come into this world with nothing and what we accumulate in this...
Assessing your post-COVID insurance needs
Insurance brokers have reported an increase in enquiries about income protection cover since the pandemic outbreak, with people concerned about becoming ill and being unable to continue working, or worried about losing their jobs. Income protection explained Income...
Embarking on a DIY project? Check your home insurance
You may have some extra time on your hands and judging by the queues outside hardware stores, people are seizing the opportunity to get some home improvement jobs underway, particularly with more Britons than ever working from home. Between February and March 2020,...
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
You may have already arranged a Will* to deal with matters in the event of your death, but have you considered what would happen if you became unable to handle your affairs while still alive? Peace of mind Have you considered how a physical or mental illness could...
Protect yourself and your family in 2020
While most of us don’t go through life expecting something bad to happen, the truth is that we never know what’s around the corner like Coronavirus. Why not make 2020 the year you put plans in place to safeguard yourself, your family and your home, so that you know...
Exchanging contracts? Get insured first
Purchasing a property can be a busy, stressful time and it can seem like there are a million things to remember. Some things however, are more important to remember than others – for example, getting the right insurance in place at the right time. Many people believe...
Managing mortgage stress – we’re here for you
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a second- stepper or further up the housing ladder, buying a home and getting a mortgage is always a big move and can feel a bit like a roller coaster ride at the best of times. Now there is the added complications and worries that...
What you need to know about self-build mortgages
If you’re thinking of building your own home, financing the project may be high on your list of priorities. Self-build mortgages are different from normal mortgages. They release funds at stages during the building work, rather than in one lump sum when you complete a...
Client Feedback
We recently received this fantastic feedback for Mike, one of our mortgage advisors, which was given to our provider Openwork. They create ongoing client contact which is aimed at customers who have received advice in the previous month and gathers details of how...
COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million
Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced or stopped pension contributions because of Covid-19. 1 in 10 UK adults have reduced or stopped pension contributions 1 in 4 workers are worried about paying for everyday...
Pension planning for the self-employed
There are 4.8 million self-employed people in the UK and only a third have any kind of pension arrangement. A shocking statistic when you consider that State support is shrinking and we’re all living longer. Saving for a pension when you’re self-employed is not as...
Important Pension Update
You may be aware that Zurich has agreed to sell part of its UK wealth and investment business to the Embark Group. This includes the Zurich Portfolio which includes your Zurich ISA, Retirement Account or General Investment Account. The Financial Conduct Authority...
Your pension savings, your future options
Why you should consider modernising your pension, particularly in light of recent events, it's important to consider your future options.nsion savings As well as giving you greater freedom over how you access your savings, there are several other benefits when...
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
You may have already arranged a Will* to deal with matters in the event of your death, but have you considered what would happen if you became unable to handle your affairs while still alive? Peace of mind Have you considered how a physical or mental illness could...
Your pension savings, your future options
Why you should consider modernising your pension, particularly in light of recent events, it's important to consider your future options.nsion savings As well as giving you greater freedom over how you access your savings, there are several other benefits when...
Reviewing your pension contributions
As you approach retirement, you probably want to know when you can afford to stop working. Having worked hard throughout your career you deserve to enjoy your retirement without having to worry about your finances. It may be worth reviewing your pension contributions...
Crystallising Your Pension Plan
The extra freedom granted by the pension changes introduced in April 2015 is good news for all pension savers. However, the increased options could lead to many people making the wrong decisions and paying unnecessary tax, making professional financial advice all the...
All about ISAs
In the 2019/20 tax year, you can save up to £20,000 tax-free in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), and when it comes to your ISA investment, you have a number of options. Investors comfortable with the slightly higher risk Peer to Peer lending can also now invest in...
How a trust can help your financial planning
Writing a policy in Trust could be perceived as something that only the wealthy require, but the reality is Trusts can play an important part in financial planning for people from all walks of life. When it comes to planning your family’s financial future it makes...
Helping you to save
Help to Save is a government savings account aimed at an estimated 3.5m people on low incomes. The scheme pays a bonus of 50p for every pound saved over four years, representing better value compared to the 1 - 2 per cent returns on savings bonds offered by high...
Saving for Junior
Junior ISAs (JISA) are long-term, tax-efficient savings accounts for children, introduced in November 2011 to supersede the phased-out Child Trust Fund (CTF). There are two types of JISA: A cash Junior ISA - where you won’t pay tax on interest on the cash you save A...
Are you thinking of downsizing?
According to a survey by Lloyds Bank, 45 per cent of empty nesters have no plans to downsize, despite the potential windfall moving to a smaller place could create. For these empty nesters then, life seems pretty comfortable, but their new-found wellbeing could be at...
Getting Ready To Meet The Grim Reaper
Do you know how your family would cope after your death? It's not an easy question to answer, or a nice subject to think about, but you could help to make their lives easier by setting up a Whole of Life plan, getting your finances in order and making a detailed will....
What's the Cost of a Comfortable Retirement?
Have you ever stopped to think about the monthly income you'd need to provide for a comfortable retirement? If you’re thinking it would be the equivalent of your current salary you've probably overestimated. Remember, by the time you retire, you will hopefully have...
Are Cash ISAs worth the investment?
After the Bank of England (BoE) cut interest rates to reassure the market following the Brexit vote, cash ISA returns plummeted. According to Telegraph Money cash ISA returns fell by as much as 35% in the six months after the BoE’s decision. A quick google shows the...
