Client stories
Independent financial advice that really makes an impact.
What my clients say:
What my clients say really matters to me at Aligned Advice. Seeing the impact I’ve made to their lives, helping them to achieve their financial goals and giving them peace of mind for the future, wherever they are in life’s journey.
Care Fees Advice
Simon, Jane and Claire
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Background & Challenges
Simon, Jane and Claire were in a state of panic, trying to arrange a change in care for their father and struggling to work out the choices available to them. They knew they wanted to change the care setting but were unsure how to go about this, with critical questions over funding the care fees and needing to properly understand their options.
Solutions & Outcome
I met with the three siblings at their father’s home, with each acting as an Attorney. I listened carefully to understand the situation, answering all their questions to decide on the best way to pay for care going forward. Helping to find the right solution for them, making use of their father’s home and estate to be able pay for the quality care they were seeking.
Client quote
“We were in an absolute panic about my father’s care and finances. Harj’s expertise and kindness were hugely reassuring, and he steered us safely through the murky waters of funding and finding a good care home. He took us through the various options and was pro-active as well as very responsive throughout.”
Pensions & Drawdown
Nicholas
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Background & Challenges
Nicholas was approaching retirement and had made a plan for what he felt was his required income in retirement. He wanted some professional support to go over his figures with appropriate advice as to how much he would need. He had been presented with some options from his workplace pension which he wanted to discuss with me, as well as older plans.
Solutions & Outcome
Nicholas had some understanding of his situation but needed advice at a more in-depth level, as well as reassurance that his plan was achievable. I was able to advise him on how best to manage his retirement income, meeting regularly to re-assess his income needs and underlying investments. We continue to review his cash flow forecasting, including his state pension when he begins to receive this, and making achievable plans for his future.
Client Quote
“Having decided to look into the feasibility of taking early retirement, I approached a number of financial advisors and ran my pension and retirement plans by them. I decided to go forward with Harj as he was the keenest and most willing to spend some time talking to me without any commitment having been made.
A face-to-face meeting was easily arranged at my home. During the meeting Harj explained how my plan would work in practice and answered my many questions. He then took away detailed information and figures to produce a report which included detailed number crunching and projections and gave me confidence to proceed.
At all stages of the process, Harj has been quick to respond to emails and answer any further questions. When a problem occurred as a result of a mistake by my pension provider, Harj was very swift and effective in getting the matter resolved. I am glad to have Harj as my financial advisor and would be happy to recommend him.”
Inheritance Tax & Estate Planning
Jack and Maria
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Background & Challenges
Jack wanted to tidy up his finances with the help of his daughter, Maria. They needed advice on how best to tackle his situation, wanting to ensure they had cash accessible in case it was needed for his later life needs or future care costs.
Solutions & Outcome
I helped them to consolidate a range of different savings and investments for ease of administration in preparation for later life planning, as well as addressing the need for inheritance tax planning.
I was able to meet them over a number of meetings to suit their needs, as they lived a long distance apart. Addressing their goals by advising on the majority of their savings, significantly reducing the number of holdings, and ensuring the appropriate level of cash was accessible with inheritance tax planning in place.
Client Quote
“Harj took a lot of time at the outset to understand dad’s circumstances and requirements and has succeeded in designing a managed program which satisfies all dad’s objectives.
We have benefited hugely from Harj’s experience and particular expertise in dealing with finances for the elderly. We are very happy with the pace at which the work has been undertaken, which has allowed plenty of time to consider the various options and choose those that suit dad best. Communication has been excellent, and Harj has always been very careful to take things forward at a pace to suit dad, always swift to respond and to follow up”.
Investments & Milestones
Pamela
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Background & Challenges
Pamela was faced with early retirement at a time when she was also dealing with inheritance. She needed professional support to make sure she was taking the right course of action for her future.
Solutions & Outcome
I spoke with Pamela over the course of a year, during which time she managed to get all the information she needed from her employer to make the right decision about her pension.
Pamela and her husband had questions around the best use of some of their funds. So, after meeting and discussing all areas of their finances, we decided to wait until she had got herself into a position where she was comfortable to make the next decision with her savings. Waiting until the time was right for her, she has now invested some of her savings after addressing some other goals for their finances.
Client Quote
“Harj was a great communicator and always answered my questions in great detail and swiftly. He never made me feel pressured when I took a long time to decide on things and there is nothing that he could have done better. I decided to look at getting an advisor as my financial circumstances had changed due to leaving work and inheritance from my parents. Harj was recommended by a friend who had been extremely pleased with his help and advice.
Harj has supported and helped me through a difficult part in my life where I left my job – giving me advice and guidance regarding pensions, tax, answering questions and advising on the best investment to suit my needs. He was very patient when I took a while on decisions and got my head around everything. Harj was excellent at explaining things so that I fully understood everything.”
Equity Release
Jerry
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Background & Challenges
Jerry was acting as Executor of his mother’s estate and had various equity release matters to deal with. His mother’s equity release mortgage needed to be repaid and Jerry was to take on his own equity release, to purchase the property and repay his mother’s equity release borrowing.
Solutions & Outcome
I met with Jerry and his brothers in person and via video, to discuss their options in detail. I was able to advise them on a new equity release arrangement to meet all their needs, as well as handling some of the complexity with various legal teams for the change in deeds.
Client Quote
“Right from the outset Harj was very professional and courteous. He engaged with my brother and I quickly and we both felt very comfortable to move forward with our equity release plan with him. Harj demonstrated expertise in this field and even though he provided advice, he never made us feel as though we were being pressurised. We made all of the decisions but taking his valuable guidance into account.
Harj would always respond to any issues we had either immediately or very promptly after we raised them. He is solutions focussed and always managed to provide options for us to go away and consider. This is very different to other IFAs I have previously met. We understood his advice at all times – courteous but clear and concise in providing advice. We never had a feeling that our time was being wasted.
Our equity release process was legally complex because of a simultaneous change of property title. Harj kept us informed at all stages of the process and even became very engaged in chasing the solicitors so that the whole process did not drag on further than necessary. If it was not for Harj this transaction would have taken even longer to complete. We were very grateful for his involvement and interventions.”
