For almost thirty years, there have been special rules about signing a Will in Scotland. In 1995, The Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act, (the 1995 Act). Before this act came into effect, the rules surrounding signing a Will were not entirely clear. What are the...
The process of buying a house at auction may seem simple, as portrayed in TV shows like “Homes Under the Hammer.” However, it is not as straightforward as it may seem. You attend the auction, place your bid, and hope to become the new owner of the...
The Scottish property market is known for its unique “offers over” system. This presents buyers with a blind bidding situation. In this article, we will explore how the “offers over” process works. We’ll discuss the challenges buyers face and...
When it comes to estate planning, you want to ensure that your hard-earned assets are passed on to your loved ones and not unnecessarily shared with HMRC. With the Inheritance Tax threshold frozen until at least 2027, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to...
Divorce is a significant life event that can have a profound impact on various aspects of your life. These include your financial and legal affairs. One crucial area that often gets overlooked during the divorce process is updating your Will. Many people fail to...
Embarking on Your Home Buying Journey Buying a house in Scotland, especially for first-time home buyers, is a significant step. It usually raises many questions resulting in decisions to be made. Understandably, the house buying process might seem overwhelming. Our...
Life is unpredictable. Without the proper legal safeguards in place, a sudden health crisis or accident can upend everything for both you and your family. Protect yourself and your loved ones by setting up a Power of Attorney. Do not wait until it is too late to...
Confusion, conflict and court. The result of the competition between two handwritten Wills. These were not the Wills of an ordinary individual, but the Wills of the “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin who died in 2018. Following her death, the family did not believe she...
There is nothing more satisfying when you are selling a house than to have multiple offers from which to choose. Fixing a closing date does tend to concentrate the buyers’ minds. It also means the competition usually leads to a higher sale price. However, at the...
The Inheritance Tax threshold over which estates pay Inheritance Tax (IHT) has been frozen at £325,000 since 2009. Since then, property prices have risen along with most asset values. That has meant an ever-increasing number of estates are becoming liable for...