Murray Beith Murray is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For over 170 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
In today's uncertain times, more people, of all ages, are committing to putting a Power of Attorney in place. This provides confidence that should they become mentally incapacitated, someone they know and trust will manage their personal and financial affairs on their behalf.
Family businesses are an integral part of the economic health of Scotland, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we as professional advisers, assist our clients in overcoming their legal and practical problems.
Now six months into lockdown, we still do not know when everything may go back to “normal”. The restrictions in place have had an impact on us all, and one of the key issues is the increased isolation that we have all experienced to some degree. With the current Covid-19 cases on the rise again and winter fast approaching, it is expected that restrictions will remain in place for some time.
The COVID-19 pandemic has focussed thoughts on the possibility that either you or a family member might end up in hospital. It is possible to plan ahead for such an unfortunate event and record your decisions regarding medical treatment you would wish to refuse in certain situations in a document called an Advance Medical Directive (also known as a Living Will). Whereas most people are aware of the importance of putting in place a Will and a Power of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives are less well-known and can often be an invaluable document for your loved ones at a difficult time.
There are many circumstances in which you may wish or need to update your Will. However, drafting an entirely new Will is not always necessary. In this post, we look at the different circumstances where you may need to redraft your Will or add a supplementary document to amend your Will, known as a ‘codicil’.
