Many people assume that, after their death, their money will automatically pass on to the people they want it to go to, but that is not always the case.
The pitfalls of intestacy
If you do not leave a Will, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of ‘intestate succession’. Although your spouse or civil partner will have certain rights, they will not automatically receive your entire estate. The rules may dictate that other family members, often unexpectedly, will inherit.
Making a Will lets you decide what will happen to your assets, rather than the intestacy rules doing it for you.
How we can help
We have ample experience in helping clients to write their Wills. Everyone’s family and financial circumstances are different, so we will take the time to find out about your individual situation. We can then help you to:
- appoint executors
- decide how your children should be cared for
- follow all legal formalities to ensure the Will is valid and achieves what you want it to
- arrange charitable donations
- make any changes at a future date.
We can also discuss options such as trusts and tax planning if you are concerned about how to pass on your assets tax-efficiently.
Disputing a Will
If you are unhappy with the content of someone else’s Will, have doubts about whether a Will is valid, or have lost a Will we can advise you on how to proceed and whether it may be possible to challenge it. Our Wills and dispute resolution lawyers can consider the form and content of the Will, and the circumstances in which it was prepared, and then advise on possible remedies.
Equally, disagreements can arise between family members in relation to a variety of matters, particularly when people are grieving and managing the administration of a loved ones estate. While litigation will generally be a last resort, our team can assist with all aspects of Will and succession disputes.
With you on your journey through life (Autumn 2024)
'With you on your journey through life' is our series of videos featuring our dedicated team showcasing how we can support you and your family through every milestone in life.
Click the link to watch our lawyers explain why it is so important to make a Will and put in place a Power of Attorney (PoA) to ensure your wishes are respected.
With you on your journey through life - series 2 (Summer 2025)
Our new series of 'With you on your journey through life' videos has now launched (June 2025). To find out more and watch the videos as they are released, click the image below.
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Meet the team
Grant Johnson
Title: Partner, Head of Private Client
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Alison McKay
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Glasgow
Caroline Fraser
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Clare McCarroll
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Ernest Boath
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
John Thom
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Perth
Kirsty Preston
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Lynsey Kerr
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Morag Yellowlees
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Nicole Noble
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Sandy Lamb
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Glasgow
Stephen O'Hare
Title: Partner
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Perth
Doran Mitchell
Title: Director
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Mhairi Cage
Title: Director
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Perth
Lindsay Kirkwood
Title: Senior Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Samera Ali
Title: Senior Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Andrew Ritchie
Title: Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Caitlin Connolly
Title: Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Harriet Waters
Title: Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Lauren McGhie
Title: Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Glasgow
Lesley McKinlay
Title: Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Rachel High
Title: Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Sienna Sproson
Title: Associate
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Amy Docherty
Title: Senior Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Glasgow
Megan Hainey
Title: Senior Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Rebecca Healy
Title: Senior Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Simon Smith
Title: Senior Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Perth
Catriona Black
Title: Senior Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Emma McFarlane
Title: Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Glasgow
Kirsten Boettcher
Title: Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Lauren Beauchamp
Title: Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Shiona Wylie
Title: Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
David White
Title: Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Perth
Michael Higgins
Title: Trainee Solicitor
Department: Private Client
Location: Glasgow
Rachel Lind
Title: Trainee Solicitor
Department: Private Client Services
Carolyn Mitchell
Title: Senior Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Crieff
Tracy McPherson
Title: Senior Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Claire Goldwyre
Title: Senior Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Perth
Laura Toner
Title: Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Glasgow
Lisa Hook
Title: Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Patricia Adams
Title: Senior Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Pauline Easley
Title: Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Dundee
Stephanie McColl
Title: Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Perth
Callum Kennedy
Title: Consultant
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Edinburgh
Jenna Gillespie
Title: Trainee Paralegal
Department: Private Client Services
Location: Glasgow
Show Team
