Legal
Will You?
Caroline Garnham finds that making a will requires more consideration than simply who gets the loot
Caught in the Flashbulbs
How can you live the life you like without the scrutiny of the baying media? Alexander Carter-Silk and Claire Cartwright-Hignett outline the issues and offer solutions
Reading the Classifieds
Rather like the hush-hush operations they purport to describe, some official military and intelligence histories are more successful than others, says Nigel West
Partners in Crime
Tuckers has established itself as one of the country’s premier criminal law firms for high net worths. In a round table with some of its lawyers, Spear’s hears the case for the defence
My Friend the Ponzi Schemer
Jonathan Chambers on his former schoolmate turned financial shyster David Smith, currently facing fraud charges in the Caribbean
How did the Pre-Budget Report affect inheritance tax?
I have heard that the Chancellor has frozen the nil rate band at £325,000 for 2010/11 in the Pre-Budget Report. Are there any other changes to inheritance tax (IHT) of which I should be aware?
Tapping the Line
Scotland Yard finds itself in the curious position of collecting evidence for foreign jurisdictions that cannot be presented in the UK.
I'm not married, but do I have rights?
I’ve heard that the rights for unmarried couples are changing. I currently live with my wealthy boyfriend of 20 years – what should I do if we split up?
Dreams of bravery
I sometimes lie in bed fantasising about acts of bravery. Our house is being burgled. This actually happened, except I wasn't there.
Speechly Seminar
Here are pictures from the Spear's/Speechly Bircham seminar on privacy and the wealthy, which took place on Thursday 15 October. For a full report of what was discussed, click here.
Unbillable Hours
Our specialists solve your HNW problems (gratis!)
Q
I am at the start of divorce proceedings and am concerned about the tax implications. I have heard that you might have to pay capital gains tax on the assets you get as part of the divorce settlement - is this the case?
A
It is a little-known part of the UK tax system but divorcing couples may indeed find themselves subject to capital gains tax. This can happen, for instance, if the marital home is sold as part of the divorce settlement or even in a situation where the home is given to one spouse under the settlement, with no money changing hands.
Spear's Wire
The Hedgehog
Spear's Spiky Undercover Agent Dishes the Gossip
