Author: Sandeep N Setty
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.
In my years advising founders, family offices, and patriarchs managing portfolios of ₹100 Cr to ₹500 Cr, I’ve noticed one pattern that quietly erodes wealth, influence, and legacy. It’s not overspending.It’s not taking risks.It’s delaying decisions. In the World of the Wealthy, Inaction Is Action Most people think not making a decision is safe. It feels cautious. Controlled. Smart.But here’s the truth the wealthy know: Every day you delay: Delaying feels like safety, but in wealth circles, it’s a silent erosion of power. Deciding late is a luxury only the broke believe they can afford. The High Cost of Delay Real-world outcomes…
Why Affluent Families Need More Than Just a Lawyer, CA, or Advisor, They Need a Strategist Wealth is more than numbers. It carries emotion, history, and responsibility. For high-net-worth individuals and business families, estate planning isn’t just about transferring assets, it’s about transferring clarity, control, and continuity. A simple Will or trust document rarely captures the nuance of a family’s values, vulnerabilities, and vision. This is why your estate planning shouldn’t start with a document.It should start with a leader. The Quiet Complexity of Affluent Families Behind every successful estate is a silent orchestra: But who is ensuring they’re all…
Estate planning in India involves a nuanced understanding of several interrelated laws. The Indian Succession Act, 1925, along with the Transfer of Property Act and mortgage-related provisions, lays down specific rules that govern how property can be transferred, inherited, or bequeathed. In this blog, we will explore the critical concepts of domicile, succession, bequest to unborn persons, rule against perpetuity, and types of property transfer including mortgages and leases. Domicile: The Legal Home That Matters What is Domicile? A domicile refers to the permanent home of an individual. It is essential in determining which legal framework governs movable property after the individual’s death. Types of Property and Applicable Law Applicability of Domicile Law Acquisition of…
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…
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…
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,…
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…