We are proud to have advised generations of clients on personal legal matters including Powers of Attorney, Wills, Trusts and Administration of Estates
WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY ARE ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS IN LIFE. LET US GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE IMPORTANT STEPS OF WRITING A WILL AND GRANTING POWER OF ATTORNEY.
Storie Cruden and Simpson deliver clear, honest, easy-to-understand professional private client services from solicitors specialising in their field.
We offer expert advice on a full range of private client work including preparation of Wills and Continuing & Welfare Powers of Attorney, administration of Estates and Trusts in Aberdeen and North-East Scotland, and can also offer our services throughout Scotland.
PRIVATE CLIENT SERVICES
Storie Cruden and Simpson
WILLS
We have helped thousands of clients to make their Wills giving peace of mind that their affairs and loved ones will be looked after.
Writing a Will allows you to decide who will oversee and manage the distribution of your estate. Everyone should have a Will to ensure that their wishes are carried out. We offer expert and friendly help on the preparation of a Will taking into account all relevant matters including family circumstances, legal and tax issues.
In particular, we can advise on inheritance tax and provide guidance on inheritance tax planning including reliefs and exemptions. A word of warning – if you do not make a Will then your estate will be Intestate and the Law will decide who will be entitled to inherit your estate which means that your estate may not pass as you would have wished and can pass to remote relations.
The administration of an estate may also be more complicated and could take longer and be more costly without a Will. These issues can be avoided by the sensible option of making a Will.
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES
WE HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH ESTATES AND ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SYMPATHETIC AND PRACTICAL HELP AND GUIDANCE.
When someone dies it can be difficult for family members or friends to cope with their loss along with the practical matters which have to be dealt with on a death.
We have extensive experience in dealing with estates and are here to provide sympathetic and practical help and guidance on all matters including registering the death, arranging the funeral, and protecting property.
Our executry services can include initial investigation of the estate including assessment of any inheritance tax and obtaining Confirmation from the Sheriff Court. Confirmation is sometimes known by the English term “Probate” and may be required to realise the estate including the sale or transfer of assets and the final distribution of the estate in accordance with the deceased’s Will or by Law.
Our aim is to deal with the process in an efficient and understanding manner and to complete the administration of the estate with minimum fuss and delay.
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES
WE HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH ESTATES AND ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SYMPATHETIC AND PRACTICAL HELP AND GUIDANCE.
When someone dies it can be difficult for family members or friends to cope with their loss along with the practical matters which have to be dealt with on a death.
We have extensive experience in dealing with estates and are here to provide sympathetic and practical help and guidance on all matters including registering the death, arranging the funeral, and protecting property.
Our executry services can include initial investigation of the estate including assessment of any inheritance tax and obtaining Confirmation from the Sheriff Court. Confirmation is sometimes known by the English term “Probate” and may be required to realise the estate including the sale or transfer of assets and the final distribution of the estate in accordance with the deceased’s Will or by Law.
Our aim is to deal with the process in an efficient and understanding manner and to complete the administration of the estate with minimum fuss and delay.
CONTINUING & WELFARE POWERS OF ATTORNEY
A CONTINUING & WELFARE POWER OF ATTORNEY HAS BECOME AN ESSENTIAL LIFETIME PLANNING TOOL.
A Continuing & Welfare Power of Attorney is particularly useful in the unfortunate event that a person loses the capacity to deal with their financial affairs or becomes unable to make decisions regarding their care and welfare.
It allows the person making the Power of Attorney to choose who they wish to look after their financial affairs if they require assistance and their welfare if they are unable to make decisions about their personal care. A Continuing and Welfare Power of Attorney must be properly prepared to appoint a suitable attorney or attorneys and to include appropriate and necessary financial and welfare powers.
In order to be legally effective, a specified person such as a solicitor must certify that the Power of Attorney has been properly granted. The Power of Attorney then requires to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) which is done electronically by us.
If a Power of Attorney has not been made by someone who is unable to deal with their affairs and make decisions about their welfare then the only option is to apply to the Court for a Guardianship or other Intervention Order to deal with the person’s affairs and welfare which can be a complicated, stressful and expensive process which would have been avoided by the more straightforward and less costly preparation of a Continuing and Welfare Power of Attorney.