Offshore Banking, Offshore Investment & Expatriate Wealth Management

On Monday we told you about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s survey that determined that up to 42% of over 55s in the UK are actively contemplating a move abroad.  That same survey also revealed that many who plan to move in retirement simply plump for a country where they have had a good holiday, and decide that that is enough ‘evidence’ to base their decision on.

However, as we have witnessed time and again in life, people who holiday somewhere, fall in love with the place and then return to live there, go through a period of a very rude awakening.  Nowhere is like a holiday paradise all the time – what’s more, you cannot sustain the holiday lifestyle 24/7, 365 days of the year.  Try it and you’ll get bored before you burn out!

So, in this report we’re going to break down how you can decide where you want to live abroad – we will detail all of the decisions you need to bear in mind, the facts you need to research, the criteria that can make or break a decision, and a checklist you can follow to help you decide where you would like to live abroad for life…

Continue reading...

As part of our week long programme of articles and reports for the 42% of over 55s in the UK who are reportedly thinking about moving abroad pre or post retirement, today we’re going to be focusing on where you can afford to live abroad in retirement with a weak pound in your pocket.

Until just a few years ago we Britons were fairly blessed, we had a healthy currency and plenty of equity in many of our homes that we could cash in and turn into bricks and mortar anywhere abroad.  Now the tables have really turned in a dramatically negative fashion.  Many of us are restricted by a weakened currency and have little or no cash to play with in our properties because no banks are lending – and the only way we can release equity is to sell in a stagnant and deflated market.

In their survey of over 55s, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office determined that 42% were actively keen to move abroad – but money matters could hold them back.  However, as we are about to reveal, you needn’t put your life plans on hold just because the pound is no longer riding high.  There are places in the world where you can afford to live, and there are ways you can afford to move abroad and live elsewhere in your retirement…

Continue reading...

One of the last things that anyone thinks about when they move overseas is the fact that the laws of succession abroad can differ greatly to those we’re familiar with back home – and that this fact can have a dramatic, and sometimes devastating impact on your family and loved ones if you die overseas or die leaving assets abroad.

Getting the correct legal advice about matters of life and death in Spain relating to the likes of probate, wills and inheritance can seem difficult.  If you search on the Internet for example, you’ll find contradictory half stories at best.  So, at Shelter Offshore we have teamed up with Legal4Spain.com to get a correct and complete understanding of the situation affecting expatriates living in Spain, as well as those onshore with assets such as property in Spain.

It is critical that you understand your position and that of your future heirs and beneficiaries if you want to save them time, stress, worry and even money, and if you want to correctly order your affairs, ensuring you have control over how your estate will be divided up when you die.  We appreciate that this is not a particularly positive subject matter – but at the same time, we are acutely aware that this is a topic that has to be touched upon, therefore we will do so in as full and comprehensive a manner as we possibly can to directly assist you.

Continue reading...