Author: Sandeep N Setty

As sophisticated asset structures and intergenerational plans grow more complex, so does the risk of inadvertent exposure to illicit financial flows. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is India’s cornerstone legislation to detect, deter, and disrupt money laundering, and high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and business leaders must stay compliant. 1. What Is Money Laundering? A three-stage process by which illicit proceeds (“dirty money”) are: 2. Key Sources of Laundered Funds 3. How PMLA 2002 Works 4. Ramifications of Non-Compliance 5. Broader Effects on Economy & Society 6. Best Practices for High-Net-Worth Individuals Conclusion & Next Steps Navigating PMLA obligations is non-negotiable for…

In today’s fast-moving world—especially for Bengaluru’s HNIs, family-business CEOs, and serial entrepreneurs—incapacity or sudden absence can stall decisions, tie up assets, and jeopardize opportunities. A Power of Attorney (POA) is a foundational tool in your asset-structuring and intergenerational planning arsenal, empowering trusted agents to act on your behalf when you can’t. What Is a Power of Attorney? A POA is a unilateral, written instrument by which the Grantor (you) authorizes a Donee/Agent to exercise specified rights or perform specified acts in your name—immediately, for a term, or upon incapacity. Core Features & Formalities Types of Power of Attorney TypeScopeDurationKey Use CaseGeneralBroad powers over all legal/financial affairsSpecified term or…

The death of someone close to us—whether a parent, partner, child, or dear friend—is one of life’s most profound challenges. Grief is intensely personal, unpredictable, and without a fixed timeline. Yet understanding its common features and knowing where to turn for support can help you move through this difficult period with greater resilience and care. 1. Grief Is as Unique as Your Relationship Your reaction to loss will depend on: Key Point: There is no “normal” duration or “right” way to grieve. Your journey is valid in its own time and form. 2. Common Phases of Grief While grief doesn’t follow a strict…

Why We Build Every family-business owner I’ve met—whether at the boardroom table or over masala chai—has poured heart and capital into creating something lasting. Not merely for profit, but for a legacy: “I want this to outlive me. To carry our family’s name and values forward.” Yet, statistics tell a sobering truth: The deciding factor? A deliberate succession plan. Succession Planning Is Not a Farewell—It’s a Smart New Start Think of succession as the business’s “instruction manual” for the day you step back. It’s not about letting go—it’s about taking charge of your wealth, your family’s harmony, and your business’s future: Three Succession…

In a world where tax laws shift overnight and family goals evolve with each generation, yesterday’s “set‑and‑forget” wealth plan won’t do. Drawing on Andrew Grove’s idea of constructive paranoia, this guide shows how adaptable asset structuring and strategic life insurance create a living legacy—one that honours both today’s needs and tomorrow’s uncertainties. 1. Spot Strategic Inflexion Points Early A Strategic Inflexion Point (SIP) is more than your annual review—it’s when a tax tweak, an asset‑class surge, or a new family goal demands fresh thinking: Insight: Noticing a 10% jump in rental yields could be your wake‑up call. 2. Cultivate “Coffee‑Table” Intelligence You don’t need…

For high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs, ensuring that your spouse—and by extension your children—enjoy true financial protection is paramount. The Married Women’s Property Act, 1874 provides a critical legal safeguard in India: Key Provisions Wealth-Planning Implications Next Steps for Your Estate Plan For bespoke guidance on integrating the Married Women’s Property Act into your intergenerational planning—ensuring your spouse and children always remain protected—let’s connect.

Crafting an airtight estate plan begins with understanding the legal tools at your disposal. As a specialist in asset structuring and intergenerational wealth planning, I guide Bengaluru’s leading families and entrepreneurs through the essentials of the Indian Succession Act, 1925—and beyond. Here’s how the core instruments—Wills, Codicils, and Probate—fit into a robust plan: 1. The Indian Succession Act, 1925: Your Estate’s Legal Foundation This Act codifies the mechanics of wills, codicils, probate, and letters of administration for non-Hindu estates. It ensures that, regardless of faith, your testamentary intentions are given effect and your heirs can collect assets without undue delay. 2. Wills:…

Ever watched your favorite cause bring a smile to someone’s face and thought, “I want more of that”? For many families and business owners, philanthropy is deeply personal—a way to honor loved ones, reflect shared values, and create ripples of good that last generations. But smart giving isn’t just about following your heart; it’s about weaving compassion into a plan that makes sense for your life and your legacy. 1. Begin with Your “Why” Before diving into numbers or tax forms, pause and ask yourself: Having clarity on your motivations transforms philanthropy from a checkbox into a heartfelt mission. 2.…

For high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and family businesses in Bengaluru, understanding the nuances of Indian succession law is critical to safeguarding your legacy. From ancestral properties in Indiranagar and Koramangala to tech startups in Whitefield, this guide demystifies the legal frameworks—Hindu, Christian, Parsi, and Muslim—governing adoption, guardianship, marriage, and inheritance. 1. Foundations of Hindu Succession Law 1.1 Sources & Scholarship 1.2 Legislative Milestones 2. Adoption & Guardianship: Securing Minor Heirs 2.1 Hindu Adoption & Maintenance Act, 1956 2.2 Guardianship under Karnataka Courts 3. Marriage & Succession: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 3.1 Validity & Succession Impact 3.2 Marital Remedies 4. Christian, Parsi…

For sophisticated asset structures, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, compliance with global anti–money laundering standards is non-negotiable. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sets the gold standard: its principles underpin India’s Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and inform critical estate and intergenerational planning decisions. 1. FATF Origins & Mandate 2. Core Functions & Processes 3. Impact on Indian Regulations 4. Local Case Study: The Desai Family Office Background: A prominent Bengaluru family office, managing real estate in Indiranagar and an IT venture in Whitefield, was flagged during a 2018 FATF peer review for unclear beneficial-ownership disclosures. Outcome: 5. Strategic Imperatives for Asset…