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 […]
Don’t sing when you’re winning:
the colourful and short history of the legislation widely known as the ‘Football Banning Order’ With the end of the Scottish domestic football season for the 2014/15 campaign, many will be wondering what to do with their weekends and contemplating how to fill the void. Many players are jetting off on their well-earned end of […]
Home is where the……Court says it is!
The Supreme Court, the highest Civil Court in the United Kingdom, has recently made a very important decision on the interpretation of the Hague Convention in regard to “habitual residence” in matrimonial cases. This has significant ramifications not only for UK citizens who live abroad on an ex-patriate basis, but also foreign nationals who live […]
Pensions – “You’ve never had it so good?”
The pension freedom reforms introduced by Chancellor, George Osborne, are now 2 months in and although this overhaul is still being applauded, there is a concern that some will be tripped up by the new rules and make a decision that could cost them both now and in the long run. However, before we get […]
Hanging up
The “Voice” of James & George Collie, Kathleen Giulianotti, has put the phone down on her career with the Firm. Kathleen, our receptionist, retired at the end of September after spending the last 26 years on duty at the front desk. A gathering was held in the office to mark Kathleen’s retirement, at which she […]
The James & George Collie Financial Management Q3 Model Portfolio Commentary
The events of the last few weeks have been traumatic for equity markets around the world. Fears regarding China and slumping commodity prices have combined with a strengthening Dollar to push share prices down across the Globe, with the economies of the emerging markets and Asia especially badly hit. However, the subsequent rally and stabilisation, […]
My Way or the Highway
Owning a piece of the land in Scotland’s scenic countryside may be the idea of tranquillity for many people – a large house, breath-taking views, endless garden space and a driveway with room for as many cars as you could wish for, what is there to worry about…. Although you may have owned your property […]