Sundeep Sindhu

Have you considered the importance of estate planning?

Many people don’t realise that inheritance tax (IHT) can apply once your estate goes over £325,000, although some people may also benefit from an additional residence nil rate band when passing on a home to direct descendants. This includes property, money, investments, and everyday belongings, and from April 2027, unused pension savings may also form part of your estate for inheritance tax. This can affect how much of your wealth is ultimately passed on to the people who matter most.

Estate planning helps ensure your wishes are followed and that as much of your estate as possible passes to the people you choose. However, the rules around inheritance tax can be complex and lots of people don’t understand how allowances apply or what their tax position will be.

That’s where I can help. I can help you to get a clear picture of the value of your taxable estate, explore ways to manage or reduce any tax liability and put a long-term plan in place that fits your goals and circumstances.

If you’d like to take control of your legacy, let’s talk about how I can support you.

I began my career as Maths teacher after completing a Mathematics degree. After deciding the classroom environment wasn't for me, I entered the financial planning industry, where I’ve spent the last 10 years, bringing an analytical and methodical approach to my clients financial planning needs. I understand the importance of financial planning advice and how much value a professional who puts their client’s needs first can bring. When first entering the industry, my first boss and financial planning mentor explained to me that: “if you treat every client the way you would want your parents to be treated by a financial planner, you will have a long and successful career” and that is very much the ethos I have kept throughout my career. I therefore take the time to get to know my clients and devote my energy to analysing and optimising their financial planning position and ensure they are not making expensive financial mistakes. Your financial planning position can include a number of areas such as:

• Retirement Planning – Do you understand your current Pensions?
• Protection – Financially protecting you, your family and your business against unexpected Life events.
• Investment Advice – Are you investing in a diversified portfolio which reflects your appetite for risk?
• Estate Planning – Have you looked at your Will? Would you like to invest on behalf of your children?
• Tax – Legally and Ethically reduce your tax liability. Take advantage of tax-free allowances.

Having an experienced professional review all of these areas on a regular basis, can add an immense amount of value to your financial position over time and prevent you from making expensive financial mistakes. A report in 2017, completed by the International Longevity Centre (ILC), showed that Brits who took professional financial advice enjoyed an average increase in their assets of nearly £48,000 after 10 years, compared to those who took no advice.

Whilst I am able and enjoy helping clients from all backgrounds, I specialise with business owners, who I believe have an even greater need for financial planning advice. As an experienced business owner myself, I intimately understand the challenges of the self-employed and enjoy using my expertise and experience to improve outcomes. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife Prani and our young daughter, Leonie. My wife is from Valencia in Spain and we therefore enjoy spending time travelling around Europe, when not at work.