Do you fall into the 60% of the population who do not have a Will? A survey found that the majority of those who didn't have Wills knew it was something they should do, but had just not got round to it? If you fit into that description, why not start the New Year by ticking making a Will from your 'to do' list?
What happens if I don?t make a Will?
Many people delay making a Will as they believe their affairs are straightforward
Do you know about Wills, inheritance tax planning and how this affects charity donations? Giving to charity is something which most people will become involved in at some point during their lifetime, whether that be through fundraising efforts, occasional donations or regular standing orders. However, did you know that you can also provide for your favourite charities on your death through your Will in Scotland? Have you thought about giving to charity in your will?
How can I provide for charities on death?
The simple
Around 70% of us die intestate in Scotland, i.e. without a valid Will. Yet the consequences of doing so can be expensive, and can mean that loved ones do not inherit as the deceased might have intended. We are often asked what to do when there is no will.
Unless there is a valid Will in place clearly signed and dated, expressing the deceased's wishes, then the estate would be wound up as intestate and certain rules then apply.
How do you check if there
In July 2012 the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that a (Scottish) Will forged by a deceased's mother should be set aside. Mrs Nicol's son died unexpectedly, he was separated from his wife with a young daughter. Mrs Nicol was concerned his estranged wife would inherit in preference to his daughter. Four years of court action and family acrimony then followed. Which could easily have been avoided if the deceased had a valid Will in place. How do you go aboutmaking a Will in
On 1st February 2012 changes to the succession thresholds came into force. The legal changes 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 assist with the administration of an estate) from £30,000 to £36,000.
What are the new rules?
Where a person dies without a Will in Scotland, their surviving spouse or
