What is a Letter of Wishes and when should I use one?
As I was watching the first episodes of the final season of The Crown, knowing the tragic event that was coming all too soon, I wondered…
Private Client
Senior appointment for Thorntons’ Inverness operation
Full-service law firm Thorntons has appointed a third partner to its new Inverness office. Private Client Partner, Magnus Mackay,…
Contesting a Will in Scotland
The death of a loved one is an exceptionally difficult time. Even in such cases where the deceased has made plans and left a Will, there…
Personal Planning for Business Owners
Often you will invest time, money and hard work in setting up your own business but when it comes to planning for the future of that…
Management of Digital Assets and Inheritance
Both during and after the pandemic, we have become more reliant on technology in our daily lives. As the world becomes increasingly…
The Importance of Executors: What you need to know
When most people think about writing their Will, it’s usually to document who will inherit their estate when they die – but a Will can…
Are you too young to have a Will?
“That's something my parents would do”, “That won’t affect me”, “I don’t have any assets”, “Why should I see a solicitor?”
It is easy to…
International Charity Day: Why leave a legacy to charity in your Will?
It is becoming increasingly common for people to leave money to charity in their Will. In fact, according to the European Fundraising…
Thorntons launches Cash for Kids charity wills campaign to support vulnerable children and families
Leading Scottish law firm Thorntons has launched its latest charity wills fundraising drive in support of Cash for Kids, with the aim of…
What happens to your property when you die.
What happens to your property when you die firstly depends on how ownership is held. Ownership of property can be held in a number of ways…
Personal Succession for Dental Practice Owners
As a practice owner, your day to day will be consumed with the delivery of patient treatment and the task of managing, developing and…
Personal Injury Trusts: Protecting your Compensation Award
When a person is injured as a result of negligence, there are several considerations to factor into the valuation of a claim. Past and…
The Importance of Substitute and Fall back Beneficiaries
In 2020 it was reported that almost 48% of adults in Scotland do not have a Will, meaning the majority of the Scottish population should…
It’s not just the super-rich of Succession who need to pay heed to the intricacies of inheritance
Whether you have seen it or not, the hit HBO series Succession and its portrayal of a family at war over the future of a global media…
Planning for care home fees – what are my options?
One of the most common questions clients have is how to protect their assets from the increasing cost of care should they require to go…
A new tax year brings new opportunities
With a new tax year having just started, now is the perfect time to consider doing some Inheritance Tax planning.
Inheritance Tax – the UK…
Inheritance Tax Planning for Unmarried Couples with Children
When considering Inheritance Tax planning, many people will aim to reduce the liability payable by their children. However, the reliefs…
Charitable Giving and Estate Planning – A win-win?
On an annual basis, many large UK based charities publish their accounts which show that legacies left from individual’s Wills make up a…
Local charities awarded share of £37,500 fundraising sum
Leading Scottish law firm, Thorntons’ annual charity wills campaign has raised £37,500 for Cash for Kids, helping to support vulnerable…
Avoiding potential challenges to Testamentary Writings
Following the death of Lisa Marie, famously the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, the validity of her Will has come into question…
Why making a Power of Attorney should be one of your New Year's Resolutions
Graeme Dickson of Thorntons’ Private Client team discusses why making a Power of Attorney should be on everyone's New Year resolution list…