Passing on your inheritance

Whether you've got millions of pounds or just a set of china and some mementos to leave to your children, you should regularly review what will happen to your possessions after your death.

It’s widely believed that in the UK one out of every three people die without leaving a will* – don’t be one of them!

Wills are not just for the super-rich; the amount is irrelevant. How much will you leave? Answer, “absolutely everything”, to use a well-known quote! A will ensures that what assets you do have will be distributed in exactly the way you want.

If it’s at all possible, make sure it’s not your estate that adds to the estimated £2.3 billion ‘inherited’ by the HM Revenue and Customs each year.** Effective financial planning will undoubtedly help in this often complex area.

* Source: Daily Telegraph 13.8.2010

** Source: 2010 HM Treasury Budget Report estimate

The Financial Services Authority does not regulate the activities of tax planning, estate planning or IHT planning.

Mellon Money Managers is a trading name of Brian Mellon Financial Limited an appointed representative of IN Partnership the trading name of The On-Line Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do). FSA Registration No: 448829