Election Year or Fear!

[Andy_Faber]

All of which summed up by Roger Waters (I think, please God don't let him and Dave Gilmour see this, join the forum and get in a spat over it): 'Money, get back, I'm all right Jack, keep your hands offa my stack'

[ramAnag]

All of which summed up by Roger Waters (I think, please God don't let him and Dave Gilmour see this, join the forum and get in a spat over it): 'Money, get back, I'm all right Jack, keep your hands offa my stack'

Fine track about materialism and greed which has been touched on elsewhere in this thread, but I believe they are both Arsenal season ticket holders so no worries, AF.

[Andy_Faber]

Fine track about materialism and greed which has been touched on elsewhere in this thread, but I believe they are both Arsenal season ticket holders so no worries, AF.

Sort of on the subject, there was a feature on the wireless about charitable giving by the truly wealthy, warren buffett and Bill Gates being examples of individuals who no doubt employ (armies of?) accountants to assist in minimising their tax liability, but then give large proportions of their fortunes to what you may consider more worthy causes (basically 'the poor') than their govts would do.

there's another wireless feature (currently ongoing so I don't know the conclusion) wherein Tony Hawkes ponders the morality of inheritance, specifically mulling over whether to pass his (clearly worthwhile) assets over to his son on his demise. I'll declare on this, I'm all for (appropriately taxed) wealth inheritance and (legal) succession planning thereof. If folk REALLY don't like it they should lobby their govts to change the rules

[ramAnag]

Sort of on the subject, there was a feature on the wireless about charitable giving by the truly wealthy, warren buffett and Bill Gates being examples of individuals who no doubt employ (armies of?) accountants to assist in minimising their tax liability, but then give large proportions of their fortunes to what you may consider more worthy causes (basically 'the poor') than their govts would do.

there's another wireless feature (currently ongoing so I don't know the conclusion) wherein Tony Hawkes ponders the morality of inheritance, specifically mulling over whether to pass his (clearly worthwhile) assets over to his son on his demise. I'll declare on this, I'm all for (appropriately taxed) wealth inheritance and (legal) succession planning thereof. If folk REALLY don't like it they should lobby their govts to change the rules

With you on that one. I too am all for appropriately taxed and legal wealth inheritance. Having been the beneficiary on more than one occasion I hope to be able to ‘donate’ accordingly in the future. Pity it can’t all be made infinitely more straightforward.

[Andy_Faber]

With you on that one. I too am all for appropriately taxed and legal wealth inheritance. Having been the beneficiary on more than one occasion I hope to be able to ‘donate’ accordingly in the future. Pity it can’t all be made infinitely more straightforward.

One thing I'm strongly against is the current trend for 'DIY Wills' (sorry if you have one!). I'm proud to have been chosen as executor on four occasions, thankfully executing professionally and immaculately written wills which 'headed off at the pass' a potential challenge to one.

[ramAnag]

One thing I'm strongly against is the current trend for 'DIY Wills' (sorry if you have one!). I'm proud to have been chosen as executor on four occasions, thankfully executing professionally and immaculately written wills which 'headed off at the pass' a potential challenge to one.

I too have been an executor on a couple of occasions. No problem on either occasion, but I can’t help feeling that ‘DIY Wills’ only exist because the so called professionals tend to charge exorbitant fees for a ‘service’ which is essentially very simple.

Just out of interest. What does anyone in the know think the going rate should be for an ordinary Will these days?

[Andy_Faber]

?the so called professionals tend to charge exorbitant fees for a ?service? which is essentially very simple.

We?ll have to agree to differ on that one. My parents? RIP wills were straightforward, my in-laws? also RIP less so and ours more complex still, fees reflected the complexity but were all ?reasonable? bearing in mind the amount of safety offered by professionalism