Recent changes in stamp duty rates for residential property
In October 2014 the Scottish Government announced the rates and bands for the new Scottish equivalent for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), to be known as Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), to take effect from 1st April 2015. Then, on 3rd December 2014, during his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced a very […]
The Lady Lawyers of Collies
At James & George Collie we are proud to be a full service firm. The Lady Lawyers of James & George Collie are an important part of the organisation. Elizabeth Mackinnon is the matriarch of the organisation. Formerly a Partner and now a Consultant, Liz, who was previously President of the Society of Advocates […]
WHAT IS A GUARDIANSHIP ORDER AND DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR ONE?
A Guardianship Order can only be made by the Court. The Application for such an Order can be made by any person having an interest in an Adult who lacks the capacity to deal with their own affairs. This can cover both financial and welfare matters. As the terms suggest, a Financial Guardianship allows the Guardian to deal […]
Land and Buildings Transaction Tax
From 1 April 2015, LBTT (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax) will replace SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) in Scotland. LBTT is structured differently to SDLT in that it is a progressive tax which means that each portion of the price is charged at different rates of tax for that portion rather than the whole price […]
More (tax free savings income) for More!
With effect from 6th April 2015 the 10% starting rate of tax for savings income is reduced to 0% rate and increased from £2,880 to £5,000. This means that, in 2015/16, those with a total income of less than £15,600 (£10,600 personal allowance for 2015/16 plus the new 0% starting rate band) will pay no […]
The end of an era
The end of March saw another milestone in the history of James & George Collie – the retirement of Stuart J. T. McKay as Partnership Accountant after nearly 27 years of service. Stuart’s retirement was marked by the Partners hosting a dinner in his honour, and separately a small gathering in the office so that […]
Intestacy and The Importance of Making a Will
If a person dies without leaving a Will or a testamentary writing they are said to have died intestate, The Prior Rights rules of intestacy can be divided into three different parts. These are Prior Rights, Legal Rights and Free Estate, otherwise known as Dead’s Part. andtheir estate […]
Relieve the stress of buying a home
A recent poll carried out by EstatesDirect.com concluded that,along with divorce and the death of a close relative, buying a property is one of the most stressful experiences in modern life. So why is buying a home, anecdotally, one of the most stressful experiences we encounter? The conveyancing process has, believe it or not, been […]
IS DIVORCE FINAL?
There has been considerable media coverage recently concerning the decision in the case of Wyatt v. Vince by the Supreme Court, the highest Civil Court in the United Kingdom. If you need advice, contact our specialist divorce lawyers in Aberdeen & Stonehaven today on 01224 581581 Briefly stated, this is a case where a wife, […]
Moving On Up
Taking a look at the Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre (ASPC) you many notice that there is a larger than normal number of “high value” properties on the market, homes valued over £400,0000, and particularly properties over £700,000, throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Since 1 April 2015 a higher tax has been payable due to the introduction […]