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About Alan Roughead

Alan is a highly regarded Private Client Solicitor with a well-established reputation for guiding individuals and families through some of life’s most important legal decisions. His practice is rooted in clarity, compassion, and a deep understanding of the personal nature of the issues his clients face. Whether assisting with estate planning, advising on the protection of family wealth, or navigating complex executry matters, Alan brings a calm, thoughtful approach that puts clients at ease.

Alan’s work spans the full range of private client services, including the drafting of wills, administration of estates, the preparation of Powers of Attorney and the establishment and management of Trusts. He regularly advises on inheritance tax and succession planning, particularly for clients with significant assets or complicated family circumstances. 

Alan is also experienced in matters involving adults with diminished capacity, supporting clients through long-term care planning.

He is frequently sought after for his advice on contentious issues, including disputed wills and executries, and has developed insight into Scotland’s Legal Rights regime and its impact on modern families. 

Recognised as a leading voice in his area, Alan has appeared on national radio to explain the implications of forced heirship in Scotland and has contributed to newspaper features on estate planning for blended families. His insights into issues such as “sideways disinheritance” have made him a trusted commentator and a valuable source of guidance for clients facing similar concerns. 

Alan is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), an internationally recognised mark of expertise in this field. He has also undertaken ‘Dementia Friend’ training, equipping him to work sensitively and effectively with elderly clients or those experiencing cognitive decline. Over the course of his career, Alan has developed a strong reputation among colleagues and clients alike for his technical knowledge, thoughtful and practical advice.

In addition to his client work, Alan serves as a voluntary board member of the Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme in Perth, a charity providing essential respite care to carers in the community. 

Practice areas

  • Wills, Trusts & Succession

Experience Highlights

  • Administered a number of high-value estates involving complex and diverse assets.

  • Represented many clients in contentious inheritance disputes, including court appearances and mediation.

  • Advised on the validity of Wills, including issues of capacity and procedural irregularities, including court actions under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act.

  • Guided business owners and complex families through succession planning and inheritance tax mitigation.

  • Supported elderly clients with tailored estate planning, including guardianship and incapacity matters.

  • Collaborated with overseas solicitors to manage the Scots law aspects of international successions.

  • Delivered estate planning advice for blended families to mitigate risks of sideways disinheritance.

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Accreditations

STEP