Discover the financial considerations when it comes to paying for care. Understand the self-funding threshold and average costs of residential and nursing care. Explore options like Deferred Payment Agreements, renting out your property, equity release, cash savings, investment, and Immediate Needs Annuities. Navigating these complexities can be challenging, but engaging with a SOLLA Accredited independent financial adviser ensures a bespoke strategy for your long-term care planning.
Read MoreDiscover the importance of planning ahead for long-term care and the potential financial consequences of leaving it too late. Learn about the average costs of residential and nursing care, the risks of depleted savings and assets, and the available financial tools to protect your wealth. Seek professional advice to navigate delicate considerations like deliberate deprivation of assets.
Find peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones by proactively planning and preparing for long-term care. Contact Richard, a SOLLA Accredited adviser and renowned vulnerable customer champion, for a complimentary meeting to discuss your circumstances.
Read MoreOrganising lasting powers of attorney (LPA) provides invaluable peace of mind, ensuring your affairs are handled by trusted individuals in case you're unable to make decisions. Learn how to choose reliable attorneys who prioritize your best interests, including loved ones, friends, or professionals like solicitors. Effectively communicate your wishes regarding medical treatment, care preferences, and end-of-life decisions. Selecting multiple attorneys and keeping your LPA updated are crucial for comprehensive protection.
Read MoreCurious about what it means to be an attorney through a lasting power of attorney (LPA)? This comprehensive guide explains the role of attorneys and the decision-making process once an LPA is registered. Whether it's a health and welfare or property and financial affairs LPA, find out how you can assist the donor in making choices while considering their best interests. Learn about specific instructions within an LPA and the significance of appointing reserve attorneys.
Read Moreu3a is a UK-wide movement of locally run groups for people who are no longer in full-time work but want to continue to pursue their educational, social and creative interests in a friendly and informal environment.
Read on to find out what Bristol u3a could offer you!
Read MoreOn 20th March 2023, Richard joined Eddie Grant, of Technical Connection to record a podcast about our mission to make Bristol the best later life community in the UK.
Technical Connection is a popular independent technical resource for financial planning and Eddie regularly interviews people about interesting topics within financial planning.
You can listen and/or download the podcast episode here.
Read MoreWe’re proud to announce we have joined the Consumer Duty Alliance (CDA) as an Associate. The CDA now incorporates the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce which we previously committed to adhering to and championing.
Launched on 9th March 2023, CDA is an independent, not-for-profit professional body which aims to support the personal finance sector specifically with the adoption and implementation of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Consumer Duty requirements.
Any firm or individual can join CDA for free and members commit to delivering better client outcomes.
Read MoreWith the increase in the demand for care at home, we quizzed local company, Home Instead Bristol North about what kind of care they provide, why care at home is so popular and what people should be looking for in a provider.
Read MoreWe are delighted to announce Harold Stephens has been shortlisted for three Professional Adviser Awards! Now in their 18th year, the 2023 awards received a record number of entries which have been judged by an independent panel of industry experts.
We were shortlisted for all three awards we entered:
Adviser Firm of the Year – South West and Wales
Best Adviser Website
Best Adviser Firm for Vulnerable Client Care
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A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a document by which one person (the “donor”) gives another person (the “attorney”) the power to act on their behalf and in their name.
There are two types of LPA – health and welfare and property and financial affairs. Without an LPA, no one is permitted to make decisions in your best interest should you become unable to make decisions for yourself.
Here's our quick guide to lasting powers of attorney.
It's never too early to organise lasting powers of attorney. As independent financial advisers, we can help you and your loved ones to organise lasting powers of attorney. Call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk to book a free consultation.
Read MoreIf a loved one has lost the capacity to make decisions before arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), you will need to apply to be a Deputy with the Court of Protection in order to assist them.
There are many difficulties in following this process which is not only costly but also time consuming and will sadly not always been granted.
Find out what’s involved and how you can avoid having to deal with the Court of Protection.
Read MoreWe are delighted to announce Richard Higgs has joined the Board of Trustees for Bristol charity, BRACE Dementia Research. BRACE funds world class clinical and laboratory research into Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia to find better treatments, achieve earlier diagnosis and one day, a cure.
Richard becomes the twelfth member of the Board which is made up of a mix of financial, legal, business and medical experts. The Trustees are responsible for the good governance and strategic direction of the charity.
Richard is hoping his extensive experience in finance and marketing will further strengthen the Board and help the charity achieve its aims.
Read MoreWithout a property and financial affairs Lasting Power of Attorney, no one is permitted to manage your financial and legal affairs should you become unable to make decisions for yourself. Even if you are married, in a civil partnership or have adult children, no one will be allowed to make important decisions without going through an extremely intrusive, time-consuming, and expensive guardianship process.
Find out how engaging with a financial adviser to organise your LPA could help.
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Finding it hard to keep up with all the budget changes this year?
Join Richard Higgs for an analysis of what the Autumn Statement means for your later life financial planning. The webinar covers income tax, dividends, capital gains tax, EIS and VTCs, inheritance tax, pensions and social care - a very comprehensive analysis for you!
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An update on what BRACE Alzheimer's Research charity have been working on this autumn. We loved attending the Together 4 Dementia Conference and can't wait to attend more BRACE events!
We are passionate about helping people living with dementia and their families. If you need help with financial planning, be assured we have extensive experience and the training required to give you clarity and confidence to make the right decisions for your circumstances.
We are all Dementia Friends and also recently won a national award for helping clients in vulnerable circumstances. For a relaxed, no obligation chat, please don't hesitate to give SOLLA Accredited adviser Richard Higgs a call on 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk
Read MoreThe end of the year has come around so quickly, I can’t believe it’s time to start planning for 2023 already!
I want to share a checklist to help you get financially prepared for 2023. If you manage to tick all of these off, you’ll have the clarity and confidence to make your financial plans a reality.
Read MoreDid you know you can reduce your inheritance tax rate from 40% to 36% through charitable gifting in your Will? This could result in a significant reduction to any large inheritance tax bill. Watch to find out more.
Read MoreFor many, the prospect of passing on wealth to future generations is a significant motivation for carrying out financial planning. Knowing that your hard-earned nest egg is going to be used to help loved ones with major milestones such as going to university, getting married or buying a house can be extremely gratifying.
Having a conversation with your family about your intentions is not always easy especially when managing other’s expectations. Read on to find out how we can help.
Read MoreIntroduced in 2017, the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) is an amount additional to the Nil Rate Band (NRB) that could be passed on tax-free against the value of the family home. The RNRB could save you tens of thousands of pounds worth of inheritance tax but the rules aren’t that simple.
Richard Higgs explains what you need to know in this brief video.
Read MoreWe are delighted to announce Harold Stephens have won the ‘Company of the Year - up to 5 advisers’ award in the 2022 Just Group Vulnerable Customer Awards! We are also ecstatic to report Richard was Highly Commended in the Vulnerable Customer Champion award.
The whole team are over the moon at receiving this recognition from industry peers!
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