Services - Powers of Attorney

It is important to consider that, at some point in the future, it may become difficult or inconvenient for you to take actions or make decisions, for whatever reason. It may be useful to have arrangements in place for someone to do these things for you. A Power of Attorney allows you to select a family member, a partner, a friend or a professional adviser to make financial, or welfare related, decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so yourself. A Power of Attorney is not only set up as an arrangement should you become unable to act through mental or physical incapacity, it can be also used when it is inconvenient for you to manage your affairs yourself. For example, you may want a trusted friend to manage your affairs in the UK while you are abroad.

With a Power of Attorney in place, you will have peace of mind that there is someone to handle your affairs should you be unable to do so yourself. The absence of a Power of Attorney can lead to considerable inconvenience and cost. We recommend that everyone who has a Will also considers putting an effective and valid Power of Attorney in place.

Advanced Medical Directives

You may also wish to consider putting an Advanced Medical Directive (“Living Will”) in place. This records your wishes regarding medical treatment which you may or may not wish to receive in the future. This requires careful drafting to ensure that your wishes are clear to the medical professionals treating you and we can help you to consider exactly what you want to say and how best to say it.

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John Scott Moncrieff Partner

john.scottmoncrieff@murraybeith.co.uk

John has been with the firm for four decades and is the Client Relations Partner. He specialises in asset protection and general financial planning for a wide portfolio of clients throughout the UK and further afield.

Widely experienced, he heads a dedicated team and is responsible for the firm’s Tax Group.

Well-versed in trusts (family and charitable), John serves on numerous boards and holds a wide range of trusteeships. John is particularly active and well known in the Arts. He was recently appointed Bailie of Holyroodhouse and has long served as Consul of Monaco in Scotland.

A family man, his main interests outside the law are football, the theatre and enjoying the Highlands of Scotland.

Areas of work

• Wills
• Trust law
• Powers of Attorney
• Estate planning
• Personal tax
• Financial management

Graham Scott Partner

graham.scott@murraybeith.co.uk

Graham is a Partner with more than 20 years experience in estate and tax planning.

Graham’s work involves the provision of advice to individuals and families in relation to succession, trusts, asset protection and offshore matters. He advises on all aspects of private taxation including inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax. Graham frequently advises business owners in relation to planning for succession and tax mitigation.

Graham has extensive experience of setting up and administering trusts and is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Trust law. He frequently advises disappointed beneficiaries in connection with both trusts and executries. He also has a particular interest in dealing with offshore trusts and foreign property.

Areas of work

• Wills
• Trust law
• Powers of Attorney
• Inheritance tax
• Capital gains tax
• Estate planning
• Succession planning
• Offshore trusts

Peter Shand Partner

peter.shand@murraybeith.co.uk

Peter is a Partner and advises private clients on Wills, estate and tax planning, asset protection and charity law.

Before joining Murray Beith Murray, Peter worked as a corporate lawyer and he now advises on succession/wealth planning in the context of trusts, companies, partnerships, and other corporate vehicles. Peter’s expertise also covers inheritance and capital gains tax advice.

Peter is a dual qualified solicitor (Scotland and England/Wales). He is experienced in dealing with cross border issues relating to succession planning and trusts and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). He also provides general financial advice and has membership of the Personal Finance Society.

Active in the Arts, Peter is currently a non-executive Director of Magnetic North Theatre Productions. He has experience of advising those involved in the charity sector on governance issues, legal structures and the set up/reorganisation of charities.

Areas of work

• Estate planning (including taxation issues)
• Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Trusts/Companies/Partnerships
• English law
• Charities