I have been a Chartered Tax Advisor and member of the Irish Taxation Institute for over 16 years. I am a Qualified Financial Advisor and although I do not act advise on or arrange financial products, I bring a broad financial and wealth management perspective to bear.
I have worked closely with the trust and high network group of one of the “top four” accountancy firms. I often work with a client’s tax advisor /accountants to achieve the desired tax planning arrangements. I have implemented numerous lifetime and will trusts for the purpose of managing tax liability.
I draft numerous wills generally and in particular, in the context of succession and estate planning. I draft numerous lifetime trusts, in a tax planning or asset management context.
I have advised on and acted in the administration of numerous estates of deceased persons. I also advise on and put in place enduring powers of attorney and other appointments which provide for the future loss of or reduction in mental capacity
Although it is not possible to avoid capital taxes, there is considerable scope from managing their impact. In particular with the careful use of trusts, it is possible to manage and reduce the incidence of capital taxes.
There are generous exemptions available for business and agricultural assets. The can eliminate or reduce inheritance tax liability by 90%. The conditions for compliance are complex and may require the restructuring of the way assets are held. However, in many cases, the benefits of so doing are considerable.
Trust can be drafted to provide for children and other beneficiaries who have special needs. Appropriate arrangements can be put in place by which the control and ownership of assets can be divided and managed in the most desired way. Trust can be an effective means to protect assets from a beneficiary’s creditors and other third parties.
Most trusts do not require the appointment of an external professional trustee. A trust can be used legitimately for the management of the passing of assets to beneficiaries so that capital taxes are minimised.
I have practised as an English solicitor and have advised on Inheritance taxes from the UK and cross border perspective. I am also familiar with the capital taxation regimes of several of the major European countries so that in conjunction with the other appropriate advisers, I can advise on and execute an appropriate estate plan.