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Financial Planning

The responsibilities and challenges of an estate executor

Being named the executor of an estate is both an honour and a burden. Entrusted with this pivotal role, one carries out the last wishes of a loved one, but the path is often strewn with complexities and unforeseen challenges.

Navigating the Executor’s Terrain

At first glance, the executor’s role might seem straightforward. However, in practice, it’s a demanding role that requires interaction with a myriad of entities, such as banks, real estate professionals, utility companies, the deceased’s superannuation fund, and the taxation office.

Furthermore, an executor’s duties are vast and varied. They encompass everything from overseeing funeral procedures, securing the death certificate, and notifying friends and family about the loss. They’re also tasked with locating the will, identifying beneficiaries, gathering a multitude of documents, settling estate debts, documenting estate assets, and initiating insurance and superannuation claims.

Yet, the process isn’t without potential pitfalls:

  • Executors face personal financial risks. Any oversight during the estate’s administration might lead to personal financial liabilities.
  • They often encounter hitches in procuring superannuation death benefits and in coordinating with fund trustees.
  • Executors bear responsibility for any losses stemming from estate asset mismanagement. This can include failure in securing and judiciously investing assets or lapses in notifying creditors, settling the deceased’s obligations, and recouping debts owed to the deceased.
  • They can incur financial penalties for unduly delaying estate administration or for hasty distributions.

Guidance for a Smoother Transition

For those in the process of drafting a will and designating an executor, a few proactive steps can immensely assist in the estate’s efficient management:

Collaborate with a knowledgeable probate lawyer or solicitor specialising in wills and estate management. Their insights can be invaluable, especially regarding local family and inheritance laws.

Given life’s unpredictability, regular updates to your will, insurance policies, and superannuation death benefit details are paramount.

It’s crucial to note that superannuation doesn’t fall within your estate and isn’t addressed in your will. Still, you can specify your wishes and arrangements concerning your super death benefit nominations in your will.

Seek guidance from your financial adviser and super fund to establish death nominations, thereby streamlining benefit acquisitions for beneficiaries.

If feasible, contemplate liquidating your entire death benefit from the super fund while still alive. This proactive step allows for immediate distribution based on your directives or deposits into a bank account, providing easy access for the executor upon your passing.

If you’re ever nominated as an executor by a loved one, it’s prudent to discuss these considerations with the person who drafted the will (the Testator). Collaboration with their legal advisor (and financial consultant if available is also advisable to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities and challenges ahead.

The role of an executor is multifaceted, rife with both honour and intricate challenges. However, with a well-charted roadmap and diligent preparation, the process can be streamlined, ensuring a smoother transition for all involved.

This can be a complex discussion and should be undertaken with a trusted advice professional. Reach out to the Sherlock Wealth team here to get started.


Source: Matrix Planning Solutions

This information does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any person. Before making a decision, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your particular objectives, financial situation or needs.

 

Farm Succession Planning: Balancing Financial and Emotional Aspects for Generational Transition

The Challenge Facing Farm Owners

The complexity of farm succession planning extends beyond mere financial transactions. For farm owners, navigating the transition of a generational asset such as a farm is both an economic and emotional endeavour. The process often grapples with uneven asset distribution, potentially leading to family strife if not managed well.

Addressing Inequality in Asset Distribution

A typical farm usually constitutes the lion’s share of a farming family’s assets. However, the farm’s income is often adequate to sustain just one family. Consequently, when the time comes to hand down the farm, usually, one child becomes the inheritor.

This poses multiple problems:

  1. Inequality in Inheritance: A single child ends up inheriting a substantial portion, if not all, of the estate, leaving other siblings potentially aggrieved. While the natural inclination for parents is to distribute assets equitably among all children, dividing a working farm is often impractical.
  2. Legal Disputes & Contested Estates: Siblings who feel left out may resort to legal avenues, leading to estate contests that might result in the division of the farm—precisely what parents aim to avoid. Such situations are emotionally and financially taxing, culminating in strained familial relations.

Strategies for Advance Planning

  1. Cultivating Off-Farm Assets: One way to address this imbalance is by accumulating assets unrelated to the farm, which can be bequeathed to the non-farming children. Investments and superannuation funds are good vehicles for this purpose, offering tax benefits and ensuring a financially secure retirement for the parents.
  2. Early and Collaborative Planning: A well-thought-out succession plan requires the input of multiple experts: an accountant, financial planner, solicitor, and possibly a bank or commercial finance broker. Early planning allows for structural implementations that ensure all family members are in agreement, facilitating a seamless transition.

Preparing for Unforeseen Circumstances

Life is unpredictable, and the untimely demise of a parent can throw succession plans into disarray. Here, life insurance can serve as a financial cushion, providing immediate liquidity to manage an unplanned succession.

Retirement Concerns for Parents

What sustains the parents after they step back? Ideally, they would live on the off-farm assets accumulated over the years. However, the reality is often a mix of income streams, such as leasing arrangements and continued payments from the farm. This is not always convenient for the next generation, who may prefer to invest in the farm rather than pay their retired parents. Moreover, assuming ownership may require the new generation to shoulder existing debts and potentially accrue new ones to buy out their parents.

Conclusion

Farm succession planning is more than just a financial transaction; it is an emotional and familial journey that requires collective decision-making. Initiating the process early and involving all family members can alleviate potential pitfalls. A balanced approach can help navigate the complexities and ensure the farm remains a generational asset while still considering the needs and feelings of every family member.

Reach out to our experienced advice professionals to discuss your unique situation here.


Source: Matrix Planning Solutions

This information does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any person. Before making a decision, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your particular objectives, financial situation or needs.

Types of ethical investing plus the pros & cons

The investment technique known as ethical investing prioritises the investor’s moral, religious and social ideals over financial gain. This is because a growing number of investors have begun to demand social responsibility from the companies they invest in, primarily because of the rise in dubious and unlawful investment arrangements.

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Sowing the seeds for a happy retirement

The thought of retirement is an enticing one for many of us. Imagine throwing off the shackles of the workforce and being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But why wait until you are retired to do the things you love? 

Retirement is a time where we finally have the space to do what we want to do with our lives, whether that’s travel, developing and learning new skills, taking up hobbies or just enjoying the company of those we care about.

The problem with waiting until we are retired is we are postponing engaging in things that could be making us happy right now. Exploring what gives us joy now and developing those skills will make for a much easier transition as you wave goodbye to your working years.

Something to retire to

Retirement represents a big shift in the way we live our lives and it’s not uncommon for that adjustment to be a little challenging. For many, our jobs give us a profound sense of identity and define how we perceive ourselves, so our sense of self can suffer when we leave the workforce. There is also often a gap in our lives where work used to be.

That’s why rather than looking forward to retiring from something, ‘have something to retire to’ is a common piece of advice to encourage people to think about what they want their life to look like when they leave the workforce.

Think about what defines you now and satisfies you outside of work, and putting in place a plan of how that may play out in retirement can be a good idea.

Start today to do the things you love

While it can be hard to carve out time while you are still in the workforce, it’s possible to take small steps and set aside dedicated time each week or commit to activities that won’t take a lot of your time.

If you are keen to travel when you retire, consider signing up for a short course in the language of the country you are keen on visiting to get prepared for the trip of your dreams.

Or if you want to finally write that novel you’ve been mulling over for years, set aside a little time now to draft a framework and get a head start. Who knows by the time you retire you may be on your second novel!

Keen to do more exercise? Join a gym now and get into a routine – even if you only manage to get there a couple of times a week it’s a good start.

It takes a while to develop new habits and skills so starting to pick up the things you want to explore in retirement now sets you up for a smoother transition when you have more time to devote to these activities. Starting now also gives you a chance to try things out and see if they are something you want to commit time and energy to.

Fostering connections with those you care about

While spending time doing things you love makes for a happy and satisfying retirement, another important factor is being around people you enjoy being with.

Think about the people you enjoy spending time with and foster those friendships right now. Not only will it make for an easier transition when you retire, it will also bring you joy and the benefits of those relationships right now. There is always room in your life for making new friends too!

The best laid plans can change

It’s important to be open-minded in your plan of how you see your retirement unfolding. Remember that not everyone retires on their own terms. Some need to retire sooner than expected or in a different manner than expected due to ill health, caring for a family member or because of a decision or situation in the workplace.

On that basis, it’s important to live well now – enjoy your present life and embrace the things that make you happy as you’ll also be setting yourself up to enjoy retirement – whether it’s just around the corner or still a way off.

Let’s discuss how you can plan for your ideal retirement, reach out to the Sherlock Wealth team here.

View Andrew’s website profile here or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Andrew Sherlock is the Owner & Head of Advice at Sherlock Wealth.

A Sydney-based financial planning firm, Sherlock Wealth has been helping successful families, business owners and individuals with their wealth creation and wealth protection needs for more than two generations.

A Chartered Accountant with a background in funds management, Andrew’s career spans more than 30 years. Andrew was one of the first people in Australia to obtain the Self-Managed Superannuation Specialist accreditation and is one of only a few advisers in Australia to be a Certified Investment Management Analyst. He is a lifetime member of the international MDRT Top of the Table and holds a BA Economics degree from Macquarie University with majors in accounting and finance.

Helping clients achieve their lifestyle goals through smart investing and asset management, wealth structures, and strategic planning are the cornerstones of what Andrew and the team at Sherlock Wealth provide.

Andrew can also be contacted at [email protected].

 

Who needs a testamentary trust?

While the escalating cost of living commands immediate attention as individuals grapple with mounting expenses, our shared wealth is steadily expanding, progressively transferring to the next generation at an accelerated pace.

In fact, the value of inheritances as well as gifts to family and friends, has doubled over the past two decades.i

A 2021 Productivity Commission report found that $120 billion was passed on in 2018 and that amount is expected to grow fourfold between now and 2050. In 2018, the value of the average inheritance was $125,000 while gifts averaged $8000 each.

So, there is a lot at stake and it means that estate planning – a strategy for dealing with your assets after you die – is vital to help fulfil your wishes and protect the interests of the people you care about.

One powerful tool in planning your estate is a testamentary trust, which only comes into effect after your death. It operates in a similar way to a discretionary family trust and your Will acts as the trust deed, providing instructions for the trust.

It allows you to control the distribution of your assets and provides a way of managing any tax implications for your beneficiaries. Testamentary trusts are often used to protect assets from unforeseen circumstances such as lawsuits, creditors and divorces and they can help to preserve a family’s wealth.

A testamentary trust can be useful for those with blended family relationships and children with complex needs. For example, a child with a disability who is unable to manage their own investments can be supported by the use of a trust. Testamentary trusts may also help to provide some certainty for parents that their young children will be provided for. They are also often used by philanthropists as a way of providing a legacy for a cause they support.

Choosing a trustee

If you are setting up a testamentary trust, you will need to appoint one or more trustees who will manage administration and distributions.

The trustee could be a family member (who may also be a beneficiary) or the role could be handed to an independent person or organisation.

Trustees should understand the tax situation of each of the beneficiaries to ensure that the timing and amount of distributions don’t inadvertently cause difficulties for them. Trustees must also lodge a tax return every year and maintain trust accounts and records.

As the ATO points out, for the trust to operate effectively, a high level of co-operation between family members may be important so that tax, financial and other information is shared.

The pros and cons

Whether or not you should set up a testamentary trust in your will depends on your own circumstances.

The positives include:

  • The ability to control the distribution of income
  • The possibility of some tax advantages for your beneficiaries
  • A level of protection for your assets from lawsuits, family breakdowns and business difficulties
  • A way of keep a family’s wealth intact into the future
  • Support for vulnerable beneficiaries such as those with special needs or lacking financial experience and minors
  • Can be used by anyone with assets to distribute, whatever the size of their estate

On the other hand, there are a number of considerations to be aware of such as:

  • The complex paperwork and reporting required
  • The cost to establish the trust and keep it running
  • The possibility of disputes among beneficiaries or with the trustee over the future of the trust, distributions, and its administration

Testamentary trusts are a valuable strategy to help ensure your wishes are followed. They can shape your legacy, provide fairly for your loved ones and protect assets.

Reach out to our team here to discuss more about establishing a testamentary trust and to see whether it is suitable for you.

View Andrew’s website profile here or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Andrew Sherlock is the Owner & Head of Advice at Sherlock Wealth.

A Sydney-based financial planning firm, Sherlock Wealth has been helping successful families, business owners and individuals with their wealth creation and wealth protection needs for more than two generations.

A Chartered Accountant with a background in funds management, Andrew’s career spans more than 30 years. Andrew was one of the first people in Australia to obtain the Self-Managed Superannuation Specialist accreditation and is one of only a few advisers in Australia to be a Certified Investment Management Analyst. He is a lifetime member of the international MDRT Top of the Table and holds a BA Economics degree from Macquarie University with majors in accounting and finance.

Helping clients achieve their lifestyle goals through smart investing and asset management, wealth structures, and strategic planning are the cornerstones of what Andrew and the team at Sherlock Wealth provide.

Andrew can also be contacted at [email protected].

 

 

https://apo.org.au/node/315436

Get your SMSF shipshape for EOFY

If you have an SMSF, it’s essential to get your fund is in good shape and ready for June 30 and the annual audit.

It’s particularly important this year, because the ATO is focussed on fixing a number of issues when it comes to SMSFs. These include high rates of non-lodgment and problematic related party loans by SMSF members operating small businesses.

Check your paperwork is up-to-date

Review all the administrative responsibilities of your SMSF to identify any incomplete ones. These include updating the fund’s minutes to record all decisions and actions taken during the year, lodging any required Transfer Balance Account Reports (TBARs), and documenting decisions about benefit payments and withdrawals.

Although it’s easy to forget, SMSFs are required to keep all contact details, banking details and electronic service address up-to-date with the ATO.

Make contributions and payments early

If you want a super contribution counted in the 2022–23 financial year, ensure the fund’s bank account receives payment by 30 June.

Minimum pension payments to members also need to be made by 30 June to meet the annual payment rules and ensure the income stream doesn’t cease for income tax purposes.

Ensure contribution administration is ready

If your SMSF receives tax-effective super contributions for salary sacrifice arrangements, ensure the fund has all the necessary paperwork before the arrangements commences.

Check you have appropriate evidence (and trust deed authority) to verify any downsizer contributions. From 1 January 2023, SMSF members aged 55 and over are eligible to make a downsizer contribution of up to $300,000 ($600,000 for a couple).

Lodge your annual return on time

Non-lodgment of the annual return is a major red flag for the ATO, particularly for new SMSFs.

Ensure your annual return is prepared and lodged on time to avoid coming under the tax man’s microscope for potential illegal early access or non-compliance.

Consider implications of new tax rules

The planned new tax on member balances over $3 million could create significant issues for some SMSF members, so trustees should review the potential implications ahead of EOFY.

Funds with large, lumpy assets such as business real property should consider the implications and liquidity issues of members implementing strategies designed to limit the impact of the new tax.

Value the fund’s assets

SMSF rules require all fund assets to be valued at market value at year-end, including investments in unlisted companies or trusts, cryptocurrency, and collectible assets. The ATO is monitoring this area, so trustees should organise appropriate valuations as soon as possible.

Ensure valuations can be substantiated if there are audit queries and the process is undertaken in line with valuation guidelines.

Reassess your investment strategy

Review the fund’s investment strategy to ensure it covers all relevant areas, including whether investment asset ranges remain relevant to your investment objectives. Deviations from strategic asset ranges must be documented, together with intended actions to address them.

Review your NALE

Non-arm’s length expenses (NALE) and income are key interest areas for the ATO, so check the fund complies with the rules.

Pay particular attention to all SMSF transactions involving related parties and ensure their arm’s length nature can be fully substantiated.

Get your auditor onboard

Trustees are required to appoint their auditor at least 45 days before lodgment due date, so ensure you have this organised.

Prepare for earlier TBAR reporting

From 1 July 2023, SMSFs will be required to report TBARs more frequently. All TBAR events will need to be submitted 28 days after the quarter in which the event occurred, so ensure you have systems in place to meet the new requirement.

All TBAR events occurring in 2022-23 will need to be reported by 28 October 2023.

Ensure trustees have a director ID

SMSF with a corporate structure must ensure all trustees have a director ID number. Although this was a requirement from 1 November 2022, many SMSF trustees are yet to apply.

Holding a director ID is an essential part of the SMSF registration process and directors must apply via the Australian Business Registry Services website.

If you would like to discuss EOFY tasks for your SMSF or your personal super contributions,  reach out to the Sherlock Wealth team here.

View Andrew’s website profile here or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Andrew Sherlock is the Owner & Head of Advice at Sherlock Wealth.

A Sydney-based financial planning firm, Sherlock Wealth has been helping successful families, business owners and individuals with their wealth creation and wealth protection needs for more than two generations.

A Chartered Accountant with a background in funds management, Andrew’s career spans more than 30 years. Andrew was one of the first people in Australia to obtain the Self-Managed Superannuation Specialist accreditation and is one of only a few advisers in Australia to be a Certified Investment Management Analyst. He is a lifetime member of the international MDRT Top of the Table and holds a BA Economics degree from Macquarie University with majors in accounting and finance.

Helping clients achieve their lifestyle goals through smart investing and asset management, wealth structures, and strategic planning are the cornerstones of what Andrew and the team at Sherlock Wealth provide.

Andrew can also be contacted at [email protected].

How to get super ready for EOFY?

By Andrew Sherlock, Head of Advice, Sherlock Wealth

If you are wanting to maximise your superannuation contributions, it is important to get this done before the end of the financial year.

What are the best ways to boost your retirement savings?

  • Contribute a portion of your before-tax income to your super account. When you make a voluntary personal contribution, you may even be able to claim it as a tax deduction.
  • Make a carry-forward contribution. This can be done if you have any unused concessional contribution amounts from previous financial years and your super balance is less than $500,000. This is a great way to offset your income if you have higher-than-usual earnings in the year.
  • Arrange tax-effective contributions through salary sacrifice. The Australian Taxation Office requires these arrangements to be documented prior to commencement, so if this is something you are interested in, ensure you take the time to discuss it with your employer.
  • Make non-concessional super contributions. If you have spare cash, have received an inheritance or have additional personal savings but have reached your concessional contributions limit, voluntary non-concessional contributions can be a good solution.
  • Downsizer contributions are another option if you’re aged 55 and over and plan to sell your home. You can contribute up to $300,000($600,000 for a couple) from your sale proceeds.
  • You can also make a contribution into your low-income spouse’s super account, which could provide you with a tax offset.

What are non-concessional super contributions?

Non-concessional super contributions are payments to your super from your savings or from income you have already paid tax on. These are not taxed when they are received by your super fund. Although you cannot claim a tax deduction for non-concessional contributions, they can be a great way to get money into the lower taxed super system.

How does this reduce my tax bill?

Making extra contributions before the end of the financial year can give your retirement savings a healthy boost, but it also has potential to reduce your tax bill.

  • Concessional contributions are taxed at only 15 percent, which for most people is lower than their marginal tax rate. In this case, you benefit by paying less tax compared to receiving the money as normal income.
  • If you earn more than $250,000, you may be required to pay additional tax under the Division 293 tax rules.
  • Some voluntary personal contributions may also provide a tax deduction, while the investment returns you earn on your super are only taxed at 15 percent.

Watch your annual contribution limit

It’s important to check where you stand with your annual contribution caps. These are the limits on how much you can add to your super account each year. If you exceed them, you will pay extra tax.

  • For concessional contributions, the current annual cap is $27,500 and this applies to everyone.
  • When it comes to non-concessional contributions, for most people under the age of 75 the annual limit is $110,000. Your personal cap may be different, particularly if you already have a large amount in super, so it’s a good idea to talk to your adviser before contributing.
  • There may be an opportunity to bring forward up to three years of your non-concessional caps so you can contribute up to $330,000 before the EOFY.

As always, we’re here to help. If you have any questions or would like to discuss EOFY super strategies or your eligibility to make contributions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here.

View Andrew’s website profile here or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Andrew Sherlock is the Owner & Head of Advice at Sherlock Wealth.

A Sydney-based financial planning firm, Sherlock Wealth has been helping successful families, business owners and individuals with their wealth creation and wealth protection needs for more than two generations.

A Chartered Accountant with a background in funds management, Andrew’s career spans more than 30 years. Andrew was one of the first people in Australia to obtain the Self-Managed Superannuation Specialist accreditation and is one of only a few advisers in Australia to be a Certified Investment Management Analyst. He is a lifetime member of the international MDRT Top of the Table and holds a BA Economics degree from Macquarie University with majors in accounting and finance.

Helping clients achieve their lifestyle goals through smart investing and asset management, wealth structures, and strategic planning are the cornerstones of what Andrew and the team at Sherlock Wealth provide.

Andrew can also be contacted at [email protected].

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