Wednesday, 27 September 2023
The impact of badly written Wills and Trusts STEP (the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) has recently released an alarming report about the impact of unregulated legal services in relation to Wills & Trusts. In May 2023, they sent out a survey to STEP’s UK members regarding unregulated Will writing. Their report found that: 79% of their members have come across cases of Wills with errors. Over half (54%) highlighted their... read more
Tuesday, 11 July 2023
We are delighted to announce that we raised an incredible £3,800 by taking part in a charity Will-writing campaign making us one of the highest donating firms across the Will Aid 2022 campaign. Stevenson & Marshall took part in the annual Will Aid campaign in November 2022 volunteering our time and expertise to write Wills and, instead of charging our usual fees for writing basic Wills, invited clients to make a donation to Will Aid. A... read more
Thursday, 19 January 2023
We are delighted to announce that, Associate Solicitor, June Paterson, from our Lifetime Legal department, has been recognised with a national accreditation for her expertise in providing legal support for older and vulnerable clients, their families and carers. The accreditation is awarded by SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly) – an organisation setting the standards for the highest quality legal advice in specialist areas, such as Wills,... read more
Tuesday, 20 July 2021
We are quite literally buzzing here at the Office with our very own sponsored Beehive starting to take shape. Here’s why we think it’s important with a few words from Kin Apiary. We’ll be keeping you posted with Bee News regularly. There’s no sting in this tale, just a helping hand for nature. “Our bees are in decline. Honeybees and bumblebees are our most loved bees but there are actually over 2000 different types of bees in... read more
Monday, 22 March 2021
You may have seen the Scottish government’s advertising campaign about changes in Scotland’s law regarding organ donation or perhaps you have recently received a leaflet through your door about this. From 26 March 2021, new legislation comes into force which means that all Scottish residents who are over 16, have lived in Scotland for 12 months prior to their death and are deemed to have mental capacity will be opted-in to organ donation... read more
Friday, 19 March 2021
You may well have been following the plight of TV presenter Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper. Almost a year ago Derek (aged 53) was placed on a ventilator after contracting coronavirus and he remains in hospital in intensive care. He is reported to be the UK’s longest surviving Covid inpatient. Kate has highlighted that this dreadful situation has been compounded by the fact she does not have Power of Attorney for Derek. This... read more
Monday, 15 March 2021
As we approach the anniversary of the first Lockdown we may have cause to pause and reflect open such an unprecedented and difficult year. A recent survey by a company who prepares Wills in England has, perhaps unsurprisingly, confirmed a significant increase in people making Wills during the pandemic. The survey highlights an interesting link between news headlines and surges in people making Wills. It is reported that 6 April 2020 - the... read more
Thursday, 11 February 2021
Where there’s a Will…. The comedian Ricky Gervais once joked “Where there’s a Will – there’s a relative!” It is certainly true that Wills and family disputes can, sadly, go hand in hand at times. Secret Will A case involving a family dispute over a Will recently made the news. Joyce Greenwood, who died aged 93 last year, drew up a “secret” Will that prevented her two stepdaughters from inheriting their late... read more
Monday, 18 January 2021
This is current guidance from the Lord President of the Court of Session about the Coronavirus Crisis and Guidance on Compliance with Court Orders Relating to Parental Responsibilities and Rights. Contact agreements and orders are expected to operate notwithstanding lockdown and constitute an essential purpose for being outwith your home, irrespective of the covid 19 tier in place in the area. If parties cannot agree a variation to any... read more
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Our Lifetime Legal team last provided an update on 1 April 2020 as the unprecedented lockdown restrictions had taken hold and we all faced a very different way of working. With our own office closed to the public as well as the Scottish Court Service, the Office of the Public Guardian and Registers of Scotland all effectively closed down it would be fair to assume that the lockdown period would have been a quiet time for our team. However,... read more
