Family inheritance and succession planning body Step has launched a web platform in an attempt to provide families with future financial planning information.
The www.advisingfamilies.org site will address common financial questions such as why you need to write a will, how you can make sure you provide for vulnerable family members and what issues you need to address when retiring abroad. Articles will be shared via social media channels including Twitter and Facebook.
All the articles are written by trust and estate practitioners (TEPs) who are full members of the organisation.
TEPs draft wills and trusts, administer estates, act as trustees and assist families on how best to plan their finances to ensure compliance and pass on their assets to future generations.
George Hodgson, chief executive of Step, said: “We are proud to launch this new website to help families plan for their futures. People often need advice at momentous or difficult points in their lives – the birth of a child, marriage, divorce, the death or illness of a loved one, moving abroad, retiring – these can be emotional and confusing times.
“Through the site, Step hopes to provide clarity about the sometimes complex issues that need to be considered and reassurance that there is help available if they need it.”
Step was founded in 1991 by George Tasker, a former senior trust manager with chartered accountants Deloitte Haskins & Sells. It has offices in territories including the UK Europe and Canada. By 2000 the organisation had developed into a worldwide professional association, offering qualifications, seminars and lectures; publications and online services.
Kusal Ariyawansa, chartered financial planner at Appleton Gerrard, said: "Having worked with a trusts and estates practitioner on behalf of clients and their inter-generational wealth planning, we all agreed that a collaborative approach gave the best outcomes.
“Clients were reassured by a second opinion from a TEP specialist that complemented our financial planning that clarified the purpose of what they sought. We must work together with other specialists to enhance the outcomes for our clients."
