Category Archives: Private Client
Legal Status and the Recruitment of Volunteers
We are often asked by charities about the legal status of volunteers and how they should be recruited. It’s increasingly common for school leavers and the unemployed to undertake volunteering to boost their CVs. Although volunteers aren’t covered by discrimination legislation it’s sensible to adopt the same recruitment practices as paid employees, including a robust
Guardianship Application – Cut Costs With Scottish Legal Aid Board
Clients often tell us they are reluctant to make an application for guardianship of a vulnerable relative or friend as they have heard the process is expensive and could cost them thousands of pounds. In fact, everyone who applies for Welfare or Financial and Welfare Guardianship in Scotland is automatically entitled to Legal Aid from
What is Self-Directed Support in Scotland and will it help?
The Scottish Government recently published its Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Bill, which aims to make self-directed support a mainstream choice for those receiving care (click here for more details). The Government has pledged almost £40 million over the next three years to support the rollout of self-directed support throughout Scotland. A report on the
Power of Attorney (Scotland) – what’s in your best interests?
If you’re living in Scotland, and you don’t currently have a power of attorney – are you sure that’s in your best interests? In the absence of a Continuing and Welfare Power of Attorney there is a risk that decisions about your well being and your assets could be taken by people who believe they
Dying Without a Will in Scotland – what the legal changes mean
On 1st February 2012 changes to the succession thresholds came into force. The new rules increase the maximum property and cash values which can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner where a person dies without a Will in Scotland. They also increase the threshold for small estates (where a Sheriff Clerk can
How to Get on The Property Ladder in Scotland
In these times of economic strife where house prices are rising faster than your income, it may seem difficult to imagine being able to afford your own home. There are however a number of schemes available to assist with buying a property:- Shared Equity Allows you to purchase a property while only
Power of Attorney in Scotland – Top 5 Questions & Answers
At the start of a New Year, you may be turning your thoughts to putting your affairs in order. As part of this, you should consider granting a Power of Attorney… read on for our top 5 FAQs on Powers of Attorney. 1. What is a Power of Attorney? a written legal document giving someone
When is a gift not a gift? Ensure you put it in writing!
Ordinarily gifts are handed over, thanks are expressed, and the parties move on with no further thought to any legal implications. But what if that ‘present’ is a large cheque or valuable item? Is it a gift or a loan? It depends on the circumstances and the relationship between the donor and donee. A recent
What happens to my dog if I die?
As man’s best friend, it’s no surprise that many people want to provide for their dogs in their Wills. However, dogs can’t own property in their own right and therefore a bequest of a specific sum of money or item to a dog (or any pet) is not effective. So how can you ensure your
Inheritance Tax Planning Tips for the Tax Year End
We’re now into the second half of the 2011/12 tax year and there are Inheritance Tax planning opportunities which should be implemented before the end of the tax year otherwise they risk being lost altogether. Why consider Inheritance Tax planning? Tax planning provides an opportunity to pass assets to the next generation in the most
