Is a Will or Power of Attorney on your 'To do' list for 2020?
At this time of year, it can feel like life is one very long ‘to do’ list. Christmas shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, Nativities,…
Private Client
National Carers Day
Following on from yesterday’s first ever National Power of Attorney day in Scotland, today is National Carers Day. There are many facets of…
Business Relief from Inheritance Tax
In policy terms, Business Relief was introduced to reduce the risk of Inheritance Tax charges resulting in the break up of a viable…
A Will is one of the most important documents anyone can make.
A year after the article ‘The Importance of Having a Will’, following the death of Aretha Franklin and news in the press that she had not…
Law firm opens its doors for Charity Wills
Thorntons hopes to dispel the myths of writing a Will while raising money for Cash for Kids as the leading law firm launches its annual…
Simultaneous deaths: who inherits in the case of a common calamity?
While dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, the death of two or more loved ones at the same time can be particularly…
Is ‘Britain’s Most Hated Tax’ due a makeover?
Inheritance Tax (IHT) has been making headlines across the country this month with news of proposed changes to the tax. The HM Treasury ‘…
Holiday Pocket Money and Gifting
As parents, children and teachers count down the days until the start of the summer holidays, those children who are lucky enough to be…
Planning for Retirement
As you approach your retirement, you may be thinking about spending quality time with family and friends, enjoying a few more hours on the…
Inheritance Tax and the Increased Residence Nil Rate Band
The beginning of the new tax year on 6th April 2019 marks the second increase in the Residence Nil Rate Band which originally came into…
Record £62k sum raised for Cash for Kids
Scotland’s leading full service law firm Thorntons has donated £62,000 to Cash for Kids through its annual Charity Wills month, thanks to…
A Matter of Trust.
A Trust is a way of managing assets, such as property, investments or money. It is an oft-quoted misnomer that they are the exclusive…
Technology and succession planning – What will happen to your digital estate?
For the vast majority of the population our lives are increasingly consumed by digital technology, social media and the internet. It is…
How grandparents can help grandchildren with nursery, school or higher education costs in a tax efficient way
Having a family can be costly, so preparing early for future educational costs should be carefully considered. Recent statistics estimate…
The use of Personal Injury Trusts
Trusts can have a variety of uses and benefits and are not just for the wealthy. If you are receiving a sizeable sum of compensation…
Why is having a Will so important?
As the sad news was unfolding of the death of Aretha Franklin, the private client solicitor in me did wonder might there be further…
Cryptocurrency - Inheritance of my ‘Wallet’
Scotland has its own digital currency (the Scotcoin – which was launched back in 2013), and given the increasing awareness and use of…
Why you should make a Will
Many adults in Scotland still don't have a Will. Statistics regularly report on the high percentage of the population who do not have…
Can a text message be a valid Will?
This week, a French Court in the city of Metz ruled that a text message could not be regarded as a valid Will.
The text message stated…
Do you have a professionally drafted Will?
Why make a Will?
Statistics show only a third of the population have a Will in place. Whilst the number of people making a Will…
Valuing Goods and Chattels
How many of us know the value of our household goods and personal effects? How many of us simply estimate the contents value for our…