GillettFamily

Hi everyone.
Going moving to Oz Sept-Nov04.

Has anyone used, using or about to use Montfort International plc to sort out their finances???
Does anyone know of any stories about them?
Does anyone have any advice re them??
Good or bad we would appreciate knowing.

We are looking at using them to sort out our stuff. I suppose we could probably do it ourselves I know but its a bit of messing about which, to be honest, we could do without! Both here and over there.
We have been quoted £850 +vat for sorting it all out which could amount up to 18 months worth of help and advice.
Sounds like a bit of peace of mind but its a lot of dosh too!
We're really unsure what to do!
Any comments?

shol

Hi
When you say sort out your finances what exactly do you mean.Are you talking pensions etc?

GillettFamily

Hi

Yes, pensions, life insurance, mortgages, investments, bonds, all financial transactions, debts, CCs etc... They get all the info from you contact the people sort out whats what and whats best to do with which, who to use and not use and when to transfer what and when not and do it all for you. When there they help you get your mortgage, if you need one, sort out any tax issues etc.. not just advice.. they do it for you.

Sounds good but do we really need that much help?!! It seems like a corporate approach to a domestic problem.
?????

shol

I intended to cash everything in,clear our debts and go!Perhaps it aint that easy.
I know my pension plan will be frozen.

Grayling

Hi
Try doing a search.You will find lots of info. about them.
You do need some financial advice from someone as this area is a minefield.

Good luck

G

lesleys

Also try a search on user 'gld'.

Alan Collett

Do you have difficult tax and financial planning arrangements?

Send me an email if you would like an alternative proposal ...
http://www.collettandco.co.uk/contact.cfm
(excuse the photo!)

Best regards.

ianj

Personally I wouldn't use Montfort International. I had a telephone call one evening a while back at around 7-30 and it was a guy from there. He gave me the whole speech about finances etc and was actually quite pressuring about it all. Although he was saying he had my interests in his thoughts.........my arse.

He was like a car salesman.

Many people may well have used Montfort and thought they were good.....personally I didn't like their approach on the phone so I decided against them.

Instead I used Prism Xpat Financial Planning and a guy called Darion Pohl. Very pleased with the service.

GillettFamily

Thanks Ian

We had the same phone call. Still think we need some help. See PM. So people do use these services then and not just a DIY job.It's a minefield for sure and I think if we are in the know of where the best moves are and the ones to avoid it could cost probably more than you'd pay for the help.

Has anyone else used anyone else? Or have any stories to regail?

I think this is a very important subject as it involves something we've all worked hard to improve, our finances, and not worth taking a risk to loose all that hard earned dosh! I want bigger and better not smaller and worse! What ever the weather.
:

lesleys

Start with Alan Collett's fact sheets from his website so you can start to get an idea of the issues involved. Do some more research yourselves before you consult anyone. It really pays to have specific questions to ask rather than just take what is given. You can email the tax authorities youself (IR and ATO) and they are very helpful if you can ask a specific question. We also found useful stuff on www.grantthornton.com.au, especially their FAQ section. Tax reference books for both countries are useful if you feel up to it - they can help you find where you need guidance.
Good luck and keep at it until you're happy you understand (well most of it).

Lesley

melaniee

I completely agree-please do not use them-anyone welcome to PM me for more info but if you do a search under the financial section of www.pomsinperth.com (I think)-interesting! Please, please I beg people not to use them.

Pollyana

A guy who worked for them/owned them or something posted on here a lot a few months ago. Pages of boring drivel; I know nothing about financial advice, but the people who DID seem to know had no time for him at all.

GillettFamily

Thanks for all your responses people.
Still undecided what to do. There's obviously some thought needed here.
Will look at the sites for the extra info.
Cheers again!

bcl74

Hi there,

I am hoping to attend a seminar by our agents on saturday who will have various people there, eg crown, godfrey pembroke and so on so I will ask some questions about this while Im there.

Brian

Alan Collett

A further observation or two from me.

If you decide a transfer of your pension fund from the UK to Australia is an exercise you wish to undertake (I won't touch on the reasons why this might - or might not - be worthwhile) I believe there are a couple of issues to consider:

1. The transfer of the UK pension fund to a complying fund in Australia. Depending on your personal status vis a vis tax residency and continuing sources of earned income in the UK this might or might not require Inland Revenue approval.

I have read of those who contend that it can make sense to consolidate one's pension arrangements in the UK and to transfer the funds in one lump sum - I can see why this might be of benefit, but I would want to see a quantitative analysis of the benefits before I was persuaded.

Leaving the above aside the key is to find a complying super fund in Australia that is prepared to receive your monies. If you can identify a suitable fund a pension transfer can be undertaken without professional assistance, but as with so many financial transactions for some it might be appropriate to engage a suitably competent person to assist.

2. Where should your super fund monies be invested once your funds have arrived. This is a financial planning exercise, usually to be undertaken by a suitably qualified person. This might involve investing in managed funds, or setting up your own self managed super fund.


Hope this helps to develop the subject ... and if anyone wants assistance with the above please let me know and I'll be pleased to point them in the direction of people we work with.

Best regards.