Every year, thousands of people in Scotland die without having made a will. The consequences can be far-reaching.

To begin with, the absence of a will introduces additional worry and anxiety, at an already difficult time. Almost inevitably, your affairs will take longer to settle, and your assets may not go to the people you intend. And then there is the question of who will look after any dependent children.

Preparation really does make all the difference - and can also dramatically reduce the cost of winding up your estate.

Why is a will important?
A will is a highly effective way of providing you with the reassurance that all your assets - business and personal - will be dealt with correctly after death.

You know that your wishes will be carried out, and that you have planned around the tax liabilities.

Planning your will also highlights the strategies you can adopt to protect assets for loved ones in lifetime - as well as in death.

The consequences of not making a will? The decisions are left out of your hands. For example, inheritance tax could swallow an unnecessarily large portion of the estate. Unmarried partners can be left in limbo. While the courts could decide who should have guardianship over your children - and they could come into a significant inheritance at just 16.

Drawing up your will
Our experienced team offers an ongoing personal and tailored service; to be truly effective, a will must be reviewed regularly.

We will examine the assets you have (for example, your property and savings), then identify your potential inheritance tax position. We will then advise you on possible ways of planning your approach to inheritance tax.

Then we will set out the details that will provide for your family and loved ones beyond your death - and make the right kind of provisions for everyone affected.