Adviser (independent) The Goodman Partnership, 7 Vale Avenue, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1DJ
Speed of response: 11.15am. Six rings, answered by a receptionist and then transferred through to an adviser. 5/5
Telephone manner: Very polite and friendly. 5/5
Qualifications: Chartered financial planner. 5/5
Payment method:
Fixed fee of £800 plus Vat for a financial assessment and strategic review. He said his services can cost less depending on the complexity. 5/5
Guidance given: The first thing the adviser asked was whether the shopper’s life insurance policy was settled under trust. He advised checking this, as it could potentially save him a lot in tax. He said it would be wise to complete a nomination form for the death in service scheme at work, which would fall outside of inheritance tax, along with his pension, and to consider a whole of life policy. Despite the nil rate band being set at £325,000, he said if he left everything to his wife-to-be, it would be doubled to £650,000 until she died. 5/5
Knowledge: Excellent. The adviser had a very sound understanding of IHT and estate planning issues. 5/5
Email/web presence: neil@goodmanifa.co.uk / http://www.goodmanifa.co.uk 5/5
Verdict: The shopper was very impressed with the adviser’s knowledge, honesty and clear explanations.
35/35
Adviser (independent) B W A (Financial Services) T/A Beric Webb Associates, Calverley House 55 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2TU
Speed of response: Time of call: 11.37am. Two rings. 5/5
Telephone manner: Pleasant. 5/5
Qualifications: Level four diploma. 5/5
Payment method: No charge for initial 30 minutes, after which a fixed fee will be arranged. This is calculated depending on the complexity. 5/5
Guidance given: The adviser firstly urged the shopper to write a will, and recommended doing this through a solicitor to avoid any mistakes and to provide a point of contact for family members. Though the adviser commended the shopper for thinking ahead to IHT, he said he was too young to be worrying too much, though did advise he write the life cover in trust. As soon as the shopper gets married, he said his IHT liabilities would disappear, unless his wife-to-be died at the same time. 4/5
Knowledge: The adviser displayed a decent understanding of IHT issues and estate planning. 4/5
Email/web presence: kevin.clarebericwebb.co.uk / http://www.bericwebb.co.uk/ 5/5
Verdict: The adviser was insightful, clear and had a good grasp of estate planning.
33/35
Adviser (independent) L M J Financial Management, Upper South Hall Bullen Farm Business Centre, Bullen Lane, East Peckham, Tonbridge TN12 5LX
Speed of response: Time of call: 11.57am. Five rings, answered by a receptionist and then transferred through to an adviser. 5/5
Telephone manner: Friendly. 5/5
Qualifications: Level four diploma. 5/5
Payment method: The first meeting is free, during which fees will be discussed. 5/5
Guidance given: The first port of call would be to complete a fact find, to ‘ascertain’ where the shopper is financially. But before that, he advised the shopper to consult a solicitor and get a will in place, and to consider recontacting an adviser after getting married. It is possible to put assets into trusts to mitigate IHT, he said, but when asked further about this, he said it would be best to discuss this with a solicitor. 3/5
Knowledge: Initially, the adviser said some useful things, but when the shopper asked more questions, his knowledge seemed limited. He advised contacting a solicitor, despite advertised services on the Unbiased website, including taxation and estate planning. 2/5
Email/web presence: daveruddle@lmjfs.co.uk / http://www.lmjfm.co.uk 5/5
Verdict: The adviser made some suggestions, but when asked for more information he told the shopper he would be best off calling a solicitor.
30/35
Provider: Natwest (call centre)
Speed of response: Time of call: 12.07pm. 20 rings. 3/5
Telephone manner: Very friendly. 5/5
Qualifications: He said he was not qualified to give financial advice. 0/5
Payment method: The representative said there was a fee, and that the adviser would go into more detail about it when he calls. 3/5
Guidance given:
The representative said he could only process applications to speak with a financial adviser, and added that it would not be possible to speak with one immediately. He took down the shopper’s details and arranged for a specialist financial adviser to call him back within a maximum of 72 hours. No other information could be provided. 2/5
Knowledge: The representative appeared to have no knowledge of IHT and estate planning.0/5
Email/web presence: http://www.natwest.com/personal/investments/other-services/iht-planning.ashx 5/5
Verdict: Despite the representative’s friendliness, the shopper was frustrated that he could not speak with an adviser immediately and was confused by the initial lack of clarity offered.
18/35
