Simultaneous deaths: who inherits in the case of a common calamity?
While dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, the death of two or more loved ones at the same time can be particularly…
Private Client
Is ‘Britain’s Most Hated Tax’ due a makeover?
Inheritance Tax (IHT) has been making headlines across the country this month with news of proposed changes to the tax. The HM Treasury…
Holiday Pocket Money and Gifting
As parents, children and teachers count down the days until the start of the summer holidays, those children who are lucky enough to be…
Planning for Retirement
As you approach your retirement, you may be thinking about spending quality time with family and friends, enjoying a few more hours on the…
Inheritance Tax and the Increased Residence Nil Rate Band
The beginning of the new tax year on 6th April 2019 marks the second increase in the Residence Nil Rate Band which originally came into…
Record £62k sum raised for Cash for Kids
Scotland’s leading full service law firm Thorntons has donated £62,000 to Cash for Kids through its annual Charity Wills month, thanks to…
A Matter of Trust.
A Trust is a way of managing assets, such as property, investments or money. It is an oft-quoted misnomer that they are the exclusive…
Technology and succession planning – What will happen to your digital estate?
For the vast majority of the population our lives are increasingly consumed by digital technology, social media and the internet. It is…
How grandparents can help grandchildren with nursery, school or higher education costs in a tax efficient way
Having a family can be costly, so preparing early for future educational costs should be carefully considered. Recent statistics estimate…
The use of Personal Injury Trusts
Trusts can have a variety of uses and benefits and are not just for the wealthy. If you are receiving a sizeable sum of compensation…
Why is having a Will so important?
As the sad news was unfolding of the death of Aretha Franklin, the private client solicitor in me did wonder might there be further…
Cryptocurrency - Inheritance of my ‘Wallet’
Scotland has its own digital currency (the Scotcoin – which was launched back in 2013), and given the increasing awareness and use of…
Why you should make a Will
Many adults in Scotland still don't have a Will. Statistics regularly report on the high percentage of the population who do not have…
Can a text message be a valid Will?
This week, a French Court in the city of Metz ruled that a text message could not be regarded as a valid Will.
The text message stated…
Do you have a professionally drafted Will?
Why make a Will?
Statistics show only a third of the population have a Will in place. Whilst the number of people making a Will…
Valuing Goods and Chattels
How many of us know the value of our household goods and personal effects? How many of us simply estimate the contents value for our…
What we will see in the 2018 Budget… Maybe!
Earlier this month, the Treasury published draft legislation for the Finance Bill 2019 which gives us an indication of some of the points…
Funeral Instructions; let your wishes be known
Prepaid funeral plans have featured heavily in the Press in recent weeks, prompting many individuals to consider or reconsider their wishes…
Power of Attorney and Guardianships
In a previous article, we discussed common misconceptions behind Powers of Attorney and why it is worth having one in place.…
Til death do us part
This month will host one of the most anticipated weddings this year, the wedding of HRH Prince Harry to Meghan Markle. Amongst the…
Johnny Hallyday – A Family at War - Who’s right is it anyway?
The eldest children of French rocker Johnny Hallyday, who died in December last year, have sought a court order in France with a view to…