Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For 175 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
What you need to do after someone dies in Scotland depends on a wide range of circumstances.
When a family member or close friend dies, there is always emotional trauma, whether the death was expected or not. However, when the person’s demise occurs, practical steps need to be taken. The extent of these steps will largely depend on the way in which the individual has passed away.
Having a child is one of the most special moments in a parent’s life. There is the leadup to the birth, the preparation to get the baby’s room ready and all the presents from friends and relatives. Furthermore, once the baby has arrived and comes home, there’s the change in family dynamics with a new person in the house – whether it’s a first child or another addition to an already busy household!
You can exclude a child from a Will in Scotland, but that does not mean the child cannot share in their parent's estate. Just because a parent does not gift something to a child in a Will does not mean the child is not entitled to a share in the estate. In Scotland, children have an automatic entitlement to share in their parent's estate. These are called Legal Rights.
You don’t have to be a philanthropist to leave money to charity in your Will. Every charitable donation counts, no matter how small. Most UK charities promote gifting through Wills. This year sees International Day of Charity take place on 5 September 2022, which presents an ideal opportunity to consider including a charitable donation in your Will.
Many people fail to make a Will at all, thinking that they do not need one. However, every adult over the age of 16 should make a Will and update it as their circumstances change throughout their lives. In this article, we look at why everyone needs a Will, capacity and Power of Attorney, and life events that may require you to update your Will.
