Posted September 17th, 2012
http://www.ftadviser.com/2012/08/29/ifa-industry/your-business/solicitors-must-value-pension-sharing-orders-gyFqAgVriOGOvwtEinc5FO/article.html
The role of solicitors and mediators during divorce is well documented and shouldn’t be taken lightly or underestimated as many self representing clients find out to their cost.
However, aside from wrangling over custody arrangements, would you leave it to either professional party to value your house during a split of assets?
No? So why is it that little or no heed is often taken in divorce proceedings with regards to the pensions?
As I stated in the above article, there are many solicitors that I work with that do have the necessary skill set to enable you to achieve a fair outcome, often calling in the necessary professionals to assist with their advice.
I have recently been contacted by two claim companies and an independent solicitor looking at past settlements and wanting referrals from me for potential claims they can investigate. They are investigating whether the true value of the pensions has been ignored, overlooked or misunderstood as part of the overall settlement.
This is no coincidence and perhaps a sign of the times but 12 years after the legislation was passed bringing pension sharing into force I am still seeing big mistakes being made.
To avoid having to go through this with your pension sharing case then please get in touch now on 01204 663904.
Tags: Asset, Implementation, legislation, Pension, Pension Credit, Pension Sharing, pension sharing order, Pensions, Pensions & divorce, Pensions and Divorce, Settlement, share IFA, Sharing, Solicitor | Posted in Divorce, Financial Planning, Pension Sharing, Pension Sharing Order, Pensions & divorce |
Comments: No Comments yet!
Posted August 22nd, 2012
An interesting development with Divorce Lifeline – www.divorcelifeline.co.uk.
It is interesting to note some of the claims being made by the company in relation to pensions and also their credentials to be in this market in the first place.
However, there is a growing trend towards looking at the settlements that clients are getting and it is in the divorce solicitors best interests to look at how a pension settlement is arrived at.
As a Resolution Accredited Independent Financial Adviser, I do see many mistakes made and we are here to help.
http://www.cisionwire.com/sky-communications-international/r/divorce-solicitors-under-fire-,c9286689
Tags: Accredited, Adviser, Divorce, Financial, Financial Settlement, Independent, Order, Pension, Personal Pension, Resolution, Resolution Accredited Independent Financial Adviser, Settlement, Sharing, Solicitor | Posted in Divorce, Financial Advice, Pension Attachment, Pension Sharing, Pension Sharing Order, Pensions & divorce, Resolution Accreditation, Resolution Accredited IFAs |
Comments: No Comments yet!
Posted July 12th, 2010
As a Resolution Accredited Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) I am often asked to provide a summary of how we can work with clients through the Collaborative Law process. Below is taken from a flyer which is provided to the lawyers at the Greater Manchester POD.
HOW THE IFA WILL WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR SOLICITOR:
IFAs will be accredited by Resolution to work in the collaborative area, having undertaken training on the technical and cultural aspects involved, and passed an examination on the subject.
The IFA acts as a ‘financial neutral’ – rather than representing one party, their role is to assist all parties in highlighting issues and providing information that enables the collaborative process to move quickly and smoothly.
In addition to their specialist technical knowledge, IFAs can outline options to parties and comment on risk factors (eg in terms of pension options) which solicitors are unable to do as they are not authorised to give financial advice.
IFA’s can attend a first meeting with the Solicitors present, so as to display to the parties how they may add value to the process. At your discretion, IFAs can subsequently meet you without your solicitor being present, so as to control total costs.
EXAMPLES OF WHERE THE IFA IS ABLE TO HELP:
• Tax efficiency and mitigation if assets or investments are being sold as part of the agreement (eg ISAs, Capital Gains Tax issues).
• Pension-sharing issues under occupational final salary schemes, for both the scheme member and the ex-spouse.
• Issues surrounding individual pensions, including retirement options.
• The cost of replacing items under an employee benefits package for the ex-spouse (eg life cover, critical illness cover, private medical insurance).
• Mortgage availability and costings in relation to the marital home.
• Assessment of endowment policies and the options going forward.
• General financial education
• Budgeting exercises and lifetime cashflow projections to determine whether the agreed settlement will be sufficient to support the financial requirements of each party over time.
If you require any further assistance, please contact us on 0800 092 1229 or email advice@thedivorceifa.co.uk
Tags: Budgeting exercises, Capital Gains Tax, Collaborative Law, critical illness cover, Employee benefits, endowment policies, Ex Spouse, Final Salary, financial education, Financial Neutral, Greater Manchester POD, IFA, ISAs, life cover, lifetime cashflow projection, marital home, Member, Mortgage, Occupational Final Salary, Pension, Pension Sharing, POD, private medical insurance, Resolution Accredited, Resolution Accredited IFA, Settlement, Solicitor, Tax efficiency | Posted in Financial Advice |
Comments: No Comments yet!
