Calculating and paying tax after someone dies

When someone dies, their estate will normally have to pay any tax due before money is distributed to their heirs. Usually, when you inherit something, there is no tax to pay immediately, but you might have to pay tax later on. Here’s a guide to what tax you need to pay and when: Working out Income…

I’m an executor – how long do I have to settle an estate?

Dealing with the estate of a loved one can be a time-consuming and daunting experience. There are certain aspects, such as registering the death, which have set time limits, however, the full estate administration process will be different for each case. In general, it can take anywhere from six months to 18 months to wind up an…

Covid-19 Update

Please note that due to the ongoing issues with the spread of the COVID-19 virus we have now closed our office. Our teams continue to work from home and can be contacted on their individual email addresses or on the following email address- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view…

The difference between obtaining confirmation for small estates and large estates

Confirmation is a legal document that must be obtained by an executor before any money and property belonging to the deceased can be uplifted from the holder (such as the bank) and distributed accordingly. There are two types of confirmation in Scotland; confirmation for small estates and for large estates. In this blog, we will cover the…

What is a Deed of Variation and how can it help reduce Inheritance Tax?

When somebody dies, their affairs must be wound up and everything they own needs to be distributed to those entitled to inherit (the beneficiaries). How their estate is distributed will depend on either the terms set out in their will or the rules of intestacy should a will not exist. There are occasions when the beneficiaries of…

A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Confirmation in Scotland

When someone dies, the person who is responsible for administering their estate will often need to apply for ‘Confirmation’ before the deceased’s money and other property can be engathered and distributed. This blog post will cover everything you need to know about applying for Confirmation: What is Confirmation? Why do I need a certificate of Confirmation…