Author: Sandeep N Setty

Sandeep N Setty is a Financial Advisor, Author, and Speaker specializing in asset structuring and inter-generational planning. He helps business owners and affluent families achieve financial independence and lasting wealth.

Discover how high-net-worth families and business owners can apply NPV analysis to make informed lease-versus-buy decisions—preserving liquidity, optimising taxes, and safeguarding intergenerational wealth. Introduction In sophisticated estate and intergenerational planning, every asset—whether a sprawling country home, a corporate jet, or specialized equipment—must justify its hold or hire. Leveraging Net Present Value (NPV) analysis empowers you to compare the long-term costs and benefits of buying versus leasing, ensuring your estate maintains maximum flexibility, tax efficiency, and capital preservation. 1. The NPV Framework for Lease vs. Buy 2. Decision Matrix NPVBuyNPVLeaseDecision++Lease – preserves capital and offers flexibility; buy only if strategic ownership (e.g., family heirloom) outweighs lease.+–Buy – owning…

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Most families believe wealth preservation is about smarter investing or tax efficiency. But those who’ve walked through three or more generations know a deeper truth: “Wealth doesn’t vanish. It fragments.” Not because of bad markets. But because of imbalance. After years of working with family enterprises across India and abroad, I’ve learned that sustaining wealth across generations depends on one simple, powerful model: The Legacy Triangle. This triangle has three critical sides. Remove even one—and the structure collapses. 1. Structure – The Architecture of Protection These are the legal and financial tools that hold wealth in place: They’re vital to protect against risk, tax…

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Discover how trusts—express, discretionary, private, public, revocable, irrevocable, living, and testamentary—empower India’s high-net-worth families to protect assets, minimize taxes, and secure a seamless succession. Learn legal essentials, drafting best practices, and real-world examples to craft your bespoke intergenerational plan. Introduction In the realm of intergenerational wealth planning, trusts stand as the Swiss Army knife of estate tools, offering unparalleled control, privacy, and protection. For family-business CEOs, venture capitalists, and high-net-worth individuals, structuring assets within legal trust vehicles under Indian statutes isn’t just prudent; it’s indispensable. This comprehensive guide unpacks every facet of trusts—from their legal foundations under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.

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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:…

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