Everlake: Insightful Wealth Management Advice

Planning Ahead as an Act of Love: Jennifer McConnell on Legacy & Succession

In this episode of Everlake, John McNicholas sits down with Jennifer McConnell of LivingLegacy.ie to explore a topic most of us avoid, but all of us will face: advanced planning, succession, and the legacy we leave behind. Drawing on an extraordinary career that spans crisis management in Haiti, humanitarian work in Papua New Guinea, and leadership roles in Irish nonprofits, Jennifer brings a rare depth of experience to a subject that is as practical as it is human. John and Jennifer unpack why planning ahead isn’t morbid—it’s an act of love. They discuss what families and business owners often overlook when preparing for the future, from enduring powers of attorney and digital assets, to succession in family enterprises and community organisations. Jennifer also shares the surprising emotional and psychological benefits that come from getting your affairs in order: greater clarity, greater freedom, and a renewed ability to live fully in the present. Main Topics Discussed in this Episode: 1. Advanced planning & “death admin” – why it’s important to put wills, enduring powers of attorney, digital access and practical instructions in place long before they’re needed. 2. Redefining legacy – seeing legacy not just as what happens after you die, but the mark you’re already making through your relationships, values, choices and even things like memoir writing. 3. Succession in business and community organisations – how family businesses, SMEs and nonprofits can plan for leadership handover, avoid founder syndrome, and protect the mission beyond any one person. 4. Overcoming fear, procrastination and overwhelm – the emotional barriers to planning, and how accountability, deadlines, checklists and small steps can make the process manageable. 5. Working with advisers and support networks – how financial planners, solicitors, tax advisers, doctors and services like Living Legacy can work together to help you plan well and reduce the burden on your family. Get in touch with Jennifer: Website: https://www.livinglegacy.ie/ [https://www.livinglegacy.ie/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcconnell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcconnell/] Instagram: @livinglegacy.ie [https://www.instagram.com/livinglegacy.ie] Chapters: * (00:00) – Introduction to Jennifer McConnell * (03:00) – Crisis management lessons that shaped Living Legacy * (07:20) – Jennifer’s accident and the “what if” moment * (12:00) – Why we avoid advanced planning * (15:40) – Digital legacy, passwords, and modern life admin * (19:10) – Using birthdays as an annual planning checkpoint * (20:40) – Succession planning in families and organisations * (24:50) – Founder syndrome and letting go * (28:20) – Values, communication, and organisational culture * (32:10) – Legacy as who you are today * (38:00) – Preparing for financial, legal, and practical realities * (43:30) – How planning frees your present life --- Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Everlake podcast! If you'd like to work with us, head to https://www.everlake.ie/ [https://www.everlake.ie/] and follow the instructions to book a consultation. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with a friend or colleague and leave us a rating & review on your podcast app. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/everlake-ireland/] || YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Everlake-Ireland] || X (Twitter) [https://x.com/everlaketweets] || Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/everlake.bsky.social] This podcast is intended for information and educational purposes only and does not represent a specific recommendation or advice for an individual to follow. Speak to your financial adviser, in the context of your own personal circumstances, prior to making any financial or investment decisions. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Family Partnerships as a Flexible Tool for Lifetime Wealth Planning with Andrea McNamara

How can you support your children financially, on your terms, while optimising for tax and retaining control? In this episode, Marc Westlake is joined by Andrea McNamara, Director of Private Client Law at EY Law Ireland, to unpack the often-overlooked but highly effective structure of family partnerships in Ireland. There are some differences between Trusts and Family Partnerships (check out previous episodes for more from Andrea) and Andrea covers these differences, the common structures and benefits and what you should think about when considering a Family Partnership for your kids. Marc & Andrea discuss how this flexible vehicle allows parents to transfer assets to children during their lifetime, without losing control or creating future tax headaches. MAIN TOPICS: 1. Understanding Family Partnerships: A practical look at what family partnerships are, how they work in an Irish context, and how they differ from more familiar structures like wills or trusts. 2. Retaining Control While Transferring Wealth: Andrea explains how parents can transfer asset growth to their children while keeping full control over decisions, timing of distributions, and investment strategy. 3. Tax Planning Through Gifts, Loans, and Exemptions: The conversation explores how combining lifetime gifts, loans, and the small gift exemption can reduce future inheritance tax and optimise long-term wealth transfers. 4. When Family Partnerships Make Sense: Marc and Andrea discuss when this structure is appropriate and how it can suit different family and financial situations. 5. Teaching Financial Responsibility Across Generations: Family partnerships can be used as a tool to gradually involve children in wealth management, helping them build confidence and capability before receiving significant assets. Find out more about Andrea McNamara: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-mcnamara-678921130/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-mcnamara-678921130/] EY Law is independent of Everlake and the views and opinions expressed by EY Law are not necessarily the views and opinions of Everlake. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Andrea McNamara (01:26) - What is a family partnership? (03:04) - How equity is structured for children (05:04) - Retaining control while gifting value (07:02) - Using family partnerships for property (08:59) - Gift vs loan: key distinctions (10:44) - Planning with surplus assets only (12:15) - Leveraging the small gift exemption (13:45) - Tax treatment and revenue reporting (16:06) - Administration, filings, and formality (18:43) - Tax filing for children’s share (20:40) - Educational benefits for next generation (22:55) - Trusts vs partnerships: key differences Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Everlake podcast! If you'd like to work with us, head to https://www.everlake.ie/ [https://www.everlake.ie/] and follow the instructions to book a consultation. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with a friend or colleague and leave us a rating & review on your podcast app. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/everlake-ireland/] || YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Everlake-Ireland] || X (Twitter) [https://x.com/everlaketweets] || Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/everlake.bsky.social] This podcast is intended for information and educational purposes only and does not represent a specific recommendation or advice for an individual to follow. Speak to your financial adviser, in the context of your own personal circumstances, prior to making any financial or investment decisions. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Tax Traps, Offshore Fund Rules and the Stories You Don’t Hear with Stephanie Wickham (Part 2)

In this follow-up to their in-depth conversation, Marc Westlake is joined once again by Irish tax expert and host of Taxbytes for Expats, Stephanie Wickham for Part 2 of their conversation. Together, they chat about more of the complex and often misunderstood realities facing expats and returning Irish citizens navigating the Irish tax system. In Part 1, Marc and Steph discussed the mainstays of tax advice: what to do, what it costs, and why working with the right professionals matters, especially when you can get a team together. This episode explores the real-world consequences of mismatched or incomplete advice, including probate delays, incorrect tax returns, and harsh surprises around U.S. estate tax and Irish capital acquisitions tax. And the anecdotes they share from their time working in tax and finance is invaluable. (Marc might even share a mistake he made that Steph fixed for him!) Stephanie and Marc explore why joined-up thinking between tax and financial advisors is crucial, the costly risks of DIY compliance, and the challenges of coordinating non-Irish funds with the Irish system. Once again, having two experts in the room like this is rare - make sure you take notes! MAIN TOPICS: 1. Common tax mistakes for expats and returnees: Many people unknowingly fail to file correctly or assume foreign income isn’t taxable in Ireland, leading to serious consequences. 2. The importance of joined-up advice between countries: When tax and financial advisors don’t coordinate across jurisdictions, clients can face unnecessary tax bills or compliance issues. 3. How Ireland’s offshore fund regime affects investments: Non-Irish funds can trigger punitive tax treatment, and most investors don’t realise the impact until it’s too late. 4. Why doing your own tax return can backfire: Even experienced professionals make mistakes, and DIY tax filings can result in costly errors and missed reliefs. 5. The real cost of poor or incomplete financial advice: Trying to save on fees often leads to higher tax bills and long-term problems that far outweigh the initial cost of expert advice. Find out more about Stephanie Wickham & Expat Taxes: Expat Taxes Website: https://www.expattaxes.ie/ [https://www.expattaxes.ie/] Subscribe to her podcast: https://expattaxes.ie/taxbytes-for-expats-podcast/ [https://expattaxes.ie/taxbytes-for-expats-podcast/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wickham-b4aba13b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wickham-b4aba13b/]  Expat Taxes is independent of Everlake and the views and opinions expressed by Expat Taxes are not necessarily the views and opinions of Everlake. --- Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Everlake podcast! If you'd like to work with us, head to https://www.everlake.ie/ [https://www.everlake.ie/] and follow the instructions to book a consultation. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with a friend or colleague and leave us a rating & review on your podcast app. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/everlake-ireland/] || YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Everlake-Ireland] || X (Twitter) [https://x.com/everlaketweets] || Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/everlake.bsky.social] This podcast is intended for information and educational purposes only and does not represent a specific recommendation or advice for an individual to follow. Speak to your financial adviser, in the context of your own personal circumstances, prior to making any financial or investment decisions. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Tax Residency, Domicile & Planning for Expats in Ireland with Stephanie Wickham (Part 1)

Returning to Ireland or moving here for the first time? The tax implications can be complex but with the right guidance, they don’t have to be overwhelming. In this two-part conversation, Marc Westlake sits down with chartered accountant and Expat Taxes founder, Stephanie Wickham, to unpack the critical issues facing internationally mobile families. In Part 1, Marc and Steph explore the common crossroads expats face when seeking financial and tax advice: what to do, what it costs, and why working with joined-up professionals matters. They explain essential concepts like tax residency, domicile and the remittance basis of taxation, while also highlighting how behavioural decisions and lifestyle choices affect long-term planning.  Having two experts like Marc and Steph available to discuss tax and finance issues is incredibly rare - that’s why this Part 1 is an ideal listen for anyone in Ireland curious about tax management and rules. And if you’re an expat thinking about a move to or from Ireland, this episode is made just for you. MAIN TOPICS: 1. The Power of Collaborative Advice: Marc and Steph explore how working together (tax advisor and financial planner) leads to clearer, more effective outcomes for clients, especially those with cross-border complexities. 2. Residency and Domicile Explained: A deep dive into two key tax concepts in Ireland: residency and domicile, and why understanding them is essential for any expat or returning Irish citizen planning their move. 3. Cost vs Value in Professional Advice: They discuss the true “cost” of advice and why good planning may feel expensive upfront, but often saves tens of thousands in the long run. 4. The Emotional and Lifestyle Dimensions of Tax Planning: Marc and Steph highlight how life events, family decisions, and personal intentions influence tax outcomes and why clarity about your goals is just as important as the numbers. 5. Common Mistakes Expats Make: From mishandled investments to assumptions based on home country rules, the episode outlines the avoidable traps many expats fall into and how to navigate them confidently. Find out more about Stephanie Wickham & Expat Taxes: Expat Taxes Website: https://www.expattaxes.ie/ [https://www.expattaxes.ie/] Subscribe to her podcast: https://expattaxes.ie/taxbytes-for-expats-podcast/ [https://expattaxes.ie/taxbytes-for-expats-podcast/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wickham-b4aba13b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wickham-b4aba13b/]  Expat Taxes is independent of Everlake and the views and opinions expressed by Expat Taxes are not necessarily the views and opinions of Everlake. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Everlake podcast! If you'd like to work with us, head to https://www.everlake.ie/ [https://www.everlake.ie/] and follow the instructions to book a consultation. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with a friend or colleague and leave us a rating & review on your podcast app. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/everlake-ireland/] || YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Everlake-Ireland] || X (Twitter) [https://x.com/everlaketweets] || Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/everlake.bsky.social] This podcast is intended for information and educational purposes only and does not represent a specific recommendation or advice for an individual to follow. Speak to your financial adviser, in the context of your own personal circumstances, prior to making any financial or investment decisions. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Avoid Greenwashing and Use Your Money for Real Impact As a Sustainable Investor with Gavin Francis

In this episode, John McNicholas sits down with Gavin Francis, founder of Worthstone and a leading advocate for sustainable and impact investing in the UK. Together, they discuss what it really means to invest sustainably, the aspects of funds that are doing the right things for the planet, and how to avoid the buzzwords and glossy brochures. They explore how individual investors can align their money with their values, the difference between “doing less harm” and “doing measurable good,” and why terms like “impact” and “additionality” matter. Gavin shares real-world examples of companies making a difference, explains how regulation is catching up with investor intent, and offers honest insight into the challenges of measuring sustainability in a meaningful way. If you're committed to ESG investing or curious about what it all means, this conversation will help you decide where your money goes to make the biggest impact to your portfolio and the planet. MAIN TOPICS: 1. What Sustainable and Impact Investing Really Mean: Gavin Francis breaks down the core concepts—intentionality, additionality, and impact—and explains how these differ from traditional ESG labels. 2. How to Tell if a Sustainable Investment Is Making a Real Difference: John and Gavin discuss the importance of measurable outcomes, the challenges of greenwashing, and how investors can look beyond marketing to assess true impact. 3. Balancing Morals and Money: Can You Do Both?: The conversation explores how sustainable investing isn't just about values—it can also be about smart economics and long-term resilience. 4. Investor Psychology and Behaviour in Sustainable Markets: They examine how emotions, expectations, and FOMO (fear of missing out) influence decisions—and why time in the market still matters more than timing it. 5. Why Financial Advisers Play a Key Role—and Why Many Are Hesitant: Gavin reflects on the advice gap, why some advisers are slow to adopt sustainable strategies, and how client interest may actually be outpacing adviser confidence. Find more about Gavin Francis and his work: Worthstone Website: https://worthstone.co.uk/ [https://worthstone.co.uk/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-francis-worthstone/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-francis-worthstone/]  Worthstone is independent of Everlake and the views and opinions expressed by Worthstone are not necessarily the views and opinions of Everlake. --- Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Everlake podcast! If you'd like to work with us, head to https://www.everlake.ie/ [https://www.everlake.ie/] and follow the instructions to book a consultation. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with a friend or colleague and leave us a rating & review on your podcast app. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/everlake-ireland/] || YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Everlake-Ireland] || X (Twitter) [https://x.com/everlaketweets] || Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/everlake.bsky.social] This podcast is intended for information and educational purposes only and does not represent a specific recommendation or advice for an individual to follow. Speak to your financial adviser, in the context of your own personal circumstances, prior to making any financial or investment decisions. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy