Taking control of your future is one of the most important steps you can take for yourself and your family. At Gibson Kerr, we believe that effective legal planning should be accessible, clear, and comprehensive. Our personal law team specialises in helping individuals in Edinburgh, Glasgow and across Scotland secure their legacy and ensure that their wishes are legally binding and clearly understood.
Expert Will Drafting and Updates
A Will is the cornerstone of any robust estate plan. It is the only way to ensure that your assets – including property, savings, and personal belongings – are distributed according to your wishes rather than by arbitrary legal rules. Whether you are looking to draft your very first Will or need to update an existing Will to reflect a change in life circumstances, such as marriage, divorce, or the arrival of children, our solicitors provide the expert oversight needed to prevent future disputes.
We take the time to understand your family dynamics and financial situation, ensuring that your Will is structured to be tax-efficient and legally sound. Without a valid Will, your estate may fall under the laws of Intestacy, which can lead to unintended consequences, such as family members being excluded or assets being distributed in a way you would not have chosen.
Protecting Your Autonomy
Planning for a time when you may no longer be able to make your own decisions is a vital part of modern personal law. We assist clients in establishing a Power of Attorney, a legal document that grants a trusted person the authority to manage your financial affairs and welfare should you lose capacity. This is often paired with Living Wills (or Advance Directives), which allow you to state your preferences regarding medical treatment in advance, providing peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
In situations where a loved one has already lost capacity without a Power of Attorney in place, we offer sensitive guidance on applying for Guardianship Orders. These are court-appointed roles that allow for the long-term management of an individual’s affairs. For more specific, one-off legal requirements, we also facilitate Intervention Orders, which provide the legal authority to perform a single necessary action on behalf of another person.
Modern Family Protection
The law does not always keep pace with modern living arrangements. One of the most common misconceptions is that “common-law” partners have the same rights as spouses. We provide essential advice on the Rights of unmarried couples on death, helping partners understand how to protect one another through proper legal documentation.
At Gibson Kerr, our goal is to provide more than just legal documents; we provide the reassurance that your future, and the future of those you care about, is in safe hands. Our approach is professional yet personal, ensuring that complex legal concepts are explained in plain English, allowing you to make informed decisions with confidence.
Fixed fees
We offer fixed fees for wills and powers of attorney, and also provide a discount on the cost when both documents are done together. Contact us today for a quote.