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My marriage is at end and my spouse and I are about to separate. Are there any practical steps we should or shouldn’t take?
Asked by
Posted Wednesday 1st May 2013
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Do I have to charge VAT on the sale of my Old Master?
Asked by
Posted Wednesday 1st May 2013
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Following the changes announced in the 2012 Budget to the taxation of UK residential properties worth more than £2m and purchased through ‘envelopes’, I'm thinking of winding up the offshore company through which I hold a £6m residential property in London. I am a non-UK resident foreign domiciliary. Should I unwind the structure or do I have other options?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 12th July 2012
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I am a US Citizen living in London. Currently I am using a UK Wealth Management company to invest into a Private Pension in addition to contributions that I am making to my Employers Retirement scheme. I have been advised that I may be breaking the PFIC rules, is this correct.
Asked by James Barlex
Posted Monday 2nd April 2012
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After 18 years of marriage I have separated from my partner following an increasingly acrimonious relationship. My solicitor has suggested that we agree the terms of our divorce through mediation, rather than through the courts. I am concerned that I will be bullied and will leave our marriage with little or nothing to show.
Asked by
Posted Monday 19th March 2012
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Is it really possible to avoid stamp duty land tax when purchasing land and property?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 19th January 2012
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The government was intending to introduce a new and much clearer statutory residence test, but has now decided to delay the new test until 2013. I had started to change my personal affairs to bring them into line with the proposed new test, but now I am not so sure whether this is a good idea or not. How should I be arranging my affairs in respect to residency?
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 3rd January 2012
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I am looking to raise capital to fund a business venture using some paintings the family have owned for many generations as collateral. What is the best way to do this?
Asked by
Posted Wednesday 23rd November 2011
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I am buying a house in Mayfair and I am told it is a Grade II listed building. Will this interfere with my refurbishment plans?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 17th November 2011
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I live and work in the US, but am originally from the UK. My US tax adviser has recommended that I have a ‘living trust’, similar to a UK Will, that states what happens to my US assets if anything happens to me. Would such a move have any impact on my tax position in the UK?’
Asked by
Posted Friday 4th November 2011
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Can grandchildren inherit a disclaimed legacy?
Asked by
Posted Friday 20th May 2011
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What are the tax issues when buying farmland?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 28th April 2011
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Following the Budget, what is the future for EIS and VCTs now?
Asked by
Posted Friday 25th March 2011
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What are the main changes affecting the savings of high earners which come into effect in April and what should I be doing to plan for this ahead of my retirement?
Asked by
Posted Monday 7th February 2011
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I have read in the press recently that the Treasury are planning to introduce tax avoidance measures aimed at clamping down on inheritance tax avoidance schemes. I was advised some year ago by my financial advisor to set up a trust, specifically to avoid inheritance tax upon my death. Is this trust going to be caught by these new measures?
Asked by
Posted Friday 10th December 2010
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When is a divorce not a divorce?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 9th December 2010
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I am about to marry for a second time. I have built up significant assets which I would like to pass on to my children from my first marriage. I was thinking of entering into a prenuptial agreement with my fiancé and was wondering whether it is worth doing. I hear such conflicting advice, and what about this recent case, has this made any difference?
Asked by
Posted Friday 22nd October 2010
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One of my Investment Managers keeps talking about “Behavioural Finance”. What do they mean?
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 21st September 2010
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I currently earn over £200,000 per annum and have a portfolio of investments that are actively managed. The gains exceed the annual allowance by a considerable margin. Following the increase in the rate of Capital Gains Tax to 28% announced in the emergency budget, is there anything I can do to reduce my tax bill?
Asked by
Posted Monday 16th August 2010
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I have been reading in the press recently that if you are not a UK citizen it is going to become more difficult to divorce in the UK. Is this true?
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 20th July 2010
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How do financial circumstances at the time of a divorce affect the size of the settlement? Is there ever a good time to get divorced?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 10th June 2010
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I am a property developer and two of my projects have failed. My creditors are chasing me and they are threatening bankruptcy. My wife and I have decided to separate. How can I safeguard the future for her and the children? The only remaining asset is our family home.
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 30th March 2010
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Due to the economic downturn the value of my assets has dropped. I have heard that now may be a good time to divorce – is this correct?
Asked by
Posted Wednesday 24th March 2010
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I am growing increasingly worried about the effect of inflation on my portfolio, following the recent announcement that the CPI has risen sharply to 3.5%. What is the likelihood of significant inflation in the coming year and what strategies should I put in place to plan for this?
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 2nd March 2010
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What changes are going on in trusts law? What is the new ‘perpetuity period’?
Asked by
Posted Wednesday 3rd February 2010
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I have read that if I pay £30,000 and leave money offshore, I do not have to pay tax on it. Is that true, and how does it work?
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 19th January 2010
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What is a 'quickie divorce' and how do I get one?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 10th December 2009
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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?
Asked by
Posted Monday 2nd November 2009
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My spouse has just told me that they want a divorce. What main things do I need to watch out for financially in ensuring I get a fair split?
Asked by
Posted Wednesday 14th October 2009
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I've seen coverage of a divorce settlement 22 years on from the relationship breakup. I am in a similar situation in that I separated from my wife over 10 years ago but we never divorced. My assets have significantly increased in that time frame, how do I protect them if she decides to divorce me now?
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 21st July 2009
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What does the Radmacher divorce case mean for my pre-nuptial agreement? Is it now legally set in stone?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 2nd July 2009
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I am a trustee involved in litigation - how can I best prepare for the worst?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 25th June 2009
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The HMRC has announced details of a second tax amnesty aimed at recovering unpaid tax from holders of offshore accounts. It has been reported that HMRC will not limit the amnesty to offshore account holders, but will offer the same terms to any taxpayer coming clean on undisclosed funds. What does this mean for me?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 11th June 2009
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Does the Myerson case change anything in divorce law? And how can I avoid its pitfalls?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 16th April 2009
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What does the G20's announcement that the era of banking secrecy is over mean for tax havens?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 2nd April 2009
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For the first time I can remember, my portfolio is losing value across the board. Are there any upsides to this or tax reliefs I should be considering?
Asked by
Posted Tuesday 3rd March 2009
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I am a high-earner who is facing being made redundant. I know my basic rights but would like to know what else I should be aware of if I am sacked.
Asked by
Posted Thursday 5th February 2009
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What action can I take against a hedge fund if I feel the partners have not acted responsibly with my funds?
Asked by
Posted Monday 1st December 2008
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Is it possible to get pre-nups for non-marital relationships (eg. cohabitation)?
Asked by
Posted Saturday 22nd November 2008
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Is there any legal redress if my bonus is not awarded this year?
Asked by
Posted Saturday 22nd November 2008
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What are the advantages, disadvantages and risks of investing in venture capital?
Asked by
Posted Monday 20th October 2008
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How can I protect my assets from "creditors and predators"?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 2nd October 2008
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I am in the process of selling my property. Contracts were about to be exchanged but at the eleventh hour my buyer wanted a significant price reduction. I have refused and he will not now proceed. I have incurred legal and other costs etc, and now have to find a new buyer. Does the former buyer have any liability for the costs I have incurred?
Asked by
Posted Thursday 25th September 2008
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I own the lease to my house which has 60 years left to run, at a rent of £400 pa. The Landlord has indicated he may be willing to sell the freehold to me or agree a lease extension of 50 years. Will continuing downward property values affect the price I pay for the freehold or the extended lease? Should I hold on until prices reduce further?
Asked by Yasmin Uddin
Posted Thursday 25th September 2008
Recent Questions
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In this new anti-tax-avoidance era, when so many tax reliefs have been withdrawn, I've heard that investing in a Business Property Renovation Allowance scheme is one of the few remaining good opportunities for maxing your tax position. Is it true that you can get up to 100 per cent tax relief on the amount invested? And what exactly are these schemes? How do they work? What are the upsides? Downsides?
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My husband and I have successfully been running a small family company for the last five years. We both gave up our jobs in the City and the revenue generated by the company is our sole source of income. We do not have any formal agreements between us as business owners - is there anything we can do or put in place now to govern what would happen to the company in the event of our divorce?
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My marriage is at end and my spouse and I are about to separate. Are there any practical steps we should or shouldn’t take?
Spear's Wire
- FT: EU may introduce country-by-country reporting as soon as summer
- Hauser & Wirth take on Paul Schimmel for Los Angeles gallery
- STEP: Switzerland introducing law to confiscate dictators' funds
- NYT: JP Morgan fined £3m for wealth management failings
- The Woolwich Attack Must Not be Used as an Excuse to Restrict Civil Liberties

