Our Services

Private Client

Head of service Ian Macdonald

the service

Our private client service helps individuals and families with their personal affairs, whether that involves writing a will, financial and tax planning, dealing with the death of a loved one or buying a new house.

Our services include:
Wills & Powers of Attorney
Estate Planning
Trusts and Asset Protection
Family Office
Charities
Administration of Estates
Tax
Financial Planning
Residential Property
Personal Wealth Planning

how we’re different

Our service is multi-disciplinary because the needs of individuals and families cannot be squeezed into specialist technical areas. This involves members of the team working collaboratively and cost effectively with each other, across WJM and with other advisers whose experience will be of benefit to the individual or family. 

Why WJM?

We understand that people often seek our help in what can be very difficult or stressful situations. Our dedicated team combines an empathetic approach with legal expertise to help you achieve what you need or want to achieve in a way that is as easy as possible for you.


Wills and Powers of Attorney
Almost everyone should have a will, although it’s a well known fact that the majority of people don’t have one! You should also have a power of attorney.

A properly written will has a number of benefits:

  • it ensures your assets go to the person you want them to go to;
  • it can reduce the amount of inheritance tax payable on your death;
  • if you have young children, it can set out who you want to be their legal guardians and it can make financial provision for them.

A power of attorney allows you to say who will manage your interests and your affairs if you are unable to do so.

Download our plain English Information Sheets:
Why should I make a will?
Power of Attorney: What is it and Why do I need one?
I’m an Attorney - What do I need to do?


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Estate Planning
Inheritance tax (IHT) is payable on your assets when you die, and can significantly reduce the wealth you can pass to your children.

A well thought out estate plan, in conjunction with a properly written will, can help you minimise the potential IHT liability on your death and preserve wealth for your children.

Download our plain English Information Sheets:
Inheritance Tax

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Trusts and Asset Protection
Trusts can be used for a number of different purposes:

Trusts often form part of a well thought out estate plan.

Download our plain English Information Sheets:
Trusts
Trustees - Duties & Powers

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Charities
With increased regulation in this area expert advice is crucial.

Our team can advise you on:

  • the constitution of charities;
  • relationships with regulatory bodies such as HM Revenue & Customs and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator;
  • accounting and administrative issues;
  • trustees investment powers and policies.

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Administration of Estates
When someone close to you dies, it can be difficult to know what to do or who to turn to for help.

There are a number of administrative matters which need to be dealt with which we can do for you or help you with.

In particular we can:

  • advise on the terms of the will if there is one, or advise on the position if there is no will;
  • ensure that the assets are transferred to the right people;
  • advise on inheritance tax issues, and on how any such liabilities might be minimised.

Download our plain English Information Sheets:
I’m an Executor - What do I need to do?

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Residential Property
At WJM the buying and selling of residential property is handled by qualified solicitors who have a specialist knowledge of the market.

Whether you are buying or selling your main home, a second or holiday home or buy to let properties, we can guide you through the process from start to finish.

We can also help you with:

  • property agreements : when parents or grandparents help towards the purchase of a home for their children or grandchildren, or where couples are cohabiting a proper contract can help ensure that everyone’s interests are safeguarded;
  • tenancy agreements;
  • property disputes;
  • equity release.

Read more on Home Reports and Property Energy Certificates here.

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Personal Wealth Planning
When it comes to your personal wealth you will need a combination of legal, financial and tax advice in order to best achieve your objectives. All too often we meet people who have a number of advisers providing expert input, but those advisers don’t talk to each other. This lack of communication among advisers can result in conflicting advice, or you having to assemble the “jigsaw” yourself – not an easy task when each adviser may have a different set of outcomes in mind when giving their advice!

Putting the jigsaw together before speaking to you is the cornerstone of WJM’s client centric approach to personal wealth planning.

For a fixed annual fee our service offers:

  • a single point of contact;
  • an annual financial planning meeting;
  • bi-annual valuations of investments;
  • ongoing financial advice;
  • preparation of your tax return and calculation of your tax liability;
  • ongoing tax advice, including inheritance tax planning;
  • optional safe custody service (with annual report);
  • optional nominee service;
  • quarterly news letter.

Download our Personal Wealth Planning Leaflet and Investment Management Service leaflets

 

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For more information on any of our services, please contact us through privateclient@wjm.co.uk

Our Group