Equity Release can be a vital part of retirement planning or even to help raise a capital lump sum for various purposes. Equity release refers to a range of products letting you access the equity (cash) tied up in your home if you are over the age of 55. You can take the money you release as a lump sum or, in several smaller amounts or as a combination of both.

Lifetime mortgage

You take out a mortgage secured on your property provided it is your main residence, while retaining ownership. You can choose to ring-fence some of the value of your property as an inheritance for your family. You can choose to make repayments or let the interest roll-up. The loan amount and any accrued interest is paid back when you die or when you move into long-term care.

Wills

Nobody likes to think about death, but it’s something we all need to prepare for. Making a will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are honoured when you die. A will is a legal document that sets out how your money, property and other assets will be distributed. It can also specify who will look after your children if they are still minors at the time of your death.

Without a will, intestacy rules will apply. These are strict and somewhat arbitrary, and unlikely to pass on your estate as you would wish. You are particularly at risk if you live with an unmarried partner and expect them to benefit first. A will also spares your children the upsetting experience of being assigned a guardian by the court. A simple clause is all you need to nominate your preferred guardian and ensure that your children are properly taken care of.

To get started with a will, talk to us.

Trusts

A trust is an agreement with three parties: the settlor, the trustees and the beneficiaries. Instead of leaving your assets to an individual, you (the settlor) can put them into a trust. This is a separate legal entity controlled by your chosen trustees. The trust will legally own the assets, but they can be accessed by the people you name as beneficiaries.

A trust is more complex than a will, but it has several advantages. Trusts allow your beneficiaries to access their money at a time that is convenient to them. A trust also prevents your family’s inheritance from being seized after you die in certain circumstances. For example, if you leave money to one of your children and they go bankrupt or get divorced, their assets can be taken by creditors or split with their partner. A trust makes this much harder because the money is not in their name. When planned carefully, a trust may also help to reduce the amount of inheritance tax paid by your family, if this is likely to be a problem for you.

To find out more, contact us.

Power of Attorney

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows somebody to act on your behalf if you are incapacitated. This person is called the attorney. Anyone can act as your attorney as long as they are not bankrupt or subject to a debt relief order.

There are two types of LPA, and it is a good idea to have both. A property and financial affairs LPA allows your attorney to take care of financial matters. For example, if you are in hospital for an extended period of time, they can draw money and pay bills for you. This prevents your finances from spiralling out of control during a long illness.

The second type is a health and welfare LPA. This is designed for situations where your mental capacity is diminished. A health and welfare LPA allows your attorney to make important decisions about your medical care, such as deciding whether to move you into a care home. By discussing your preferences with your attorney in advance, you can ensure that your wishes are honoured even if you become unable to express them.

Get in touch, to find out more.

Funeral Plans

Losing a family member is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through. The last thing your loved ones need at this difficult time is an unexpected bill. A prepaid funeral plan is a great way to ease the pressure on your family by paying for your funeral in advance. This allows you to leave money to your relatives without worrying that it will be eaten up by funeral costs.

Paying for your funeral in advance makes a lot of sense financially. The cost of funerals is rising by 10% each year and it is estimated that, by 2030, the average funeral will cost over £10,000. Many people plan on using their life insurance policy to pay for their funeral, but this becomes less effective over time. A fixed pay-out may be enough to cover a funeral at today’s prices, but it will fall short in 10 or 20 years. A prepaid funeral plan allows you to beat any future price rises.

Talk to us about funeral plans.