A Will is one of the most important legal documents you’ll ever make, but it’s not something you should write once and tuck away forever. Life changes – sometimes quietly, sometimes dramatically – and your Will needs to keep up. In this article, the private client team at Simplicity Legal explains how often you should…
Most people think about what will happen when they die when they plan for the future, but what about the years before that? In Scotland, a Power of Attorney works with your Will to make sure that your intentions are followed not only after you die, but also if you can’t make decisions while you’re…
When a relationship ends, there are usually more things to deal with than just feelings. You need to think about your home, your money, and what’s best for your kids if you have them. A separation agreement can make things go a lot more smoothly, but do you really need a lawyer to get one?…
When a dispute arises – whether between business partners, tenants and landlords, or within a commercial contract – one of the first questions people ask is whether the outcome of dispute resolution is legally binding in Scotland. This article unpacks that question, looking at mediation, arbitration, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It’s…
When a relationship ends, the emotional impact can be heavy enough without having to untangle complex rules about divorce, separation and your rights in Scotland. This guide walks you through the main legal options when you separate in Scotland, including separation agreements, court actions, and what happens if you are in a marriage or civil…
When someone dies in Scotland, one of the first practical questions an executor faces is: what is the estate actually worth? Getting the valuation right is crucial because it affects inheritance tax, how the executry is administered, and how much each beneficiary receives. This article explains, in plain English, how assets of the deceased are…
When someone passes away, their estate in Scotland – everything they owned and owed – must be carefully managed before anything is passed on to family or beneficiaries. Many people are surprised by how structured this process is. This article explains which debts and liabilities must be paid before an executor can wind up an…
It might be hard to deal with someone’s estate after they die. If you lost a loved one in Scotland recently, someone may have told you that the estate needs to be “wound up”, But what does that really mean? This article explains the most important procedures in closing an estate in Scotland, from choosing…
In Scotland, when someone dies without a Will, their things don’t just evaporate into limbo. However, the process of sorting everything out might be far more complicated. The law governs who gets what, who acts as executor, and how the estate is divided if there are no instructions left behind. This article talks about what…
When one party refuses mediation in a Scottish family dispute, it does not stop matters progressing, but it can change how quickly things move, how much they cost, and sometimes how the court views each person’s behaviour. This article explains, in plain English, what practically happens if the other party does not attend mediation, and…
