How to Settle an Estate in Scotland – A Practical Guide

This book is designed to give the general practitioner, solicitors who don’t normally deal with estates and trainee solicitors a guide to dealing with the practical and effective administration of estates in Scotland. It covers the main issues that the practitioner is likely to come up against when dealing with an estate. It also aims to highlight opportunities to add value to the Executors and beneficiaries and create further business opportunities for the practice. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephanie Christie-Carmichael is a consultant private client solicitor with over 17 years’ experience in dealing exclusively with Wills, trusts, succession & Inheritance Tax planning for high net worth individuals and estate administration across Scotland and England. Stephanie was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. Stephanie studied Business Law and graduated with a BA Hons from the University of Strathclyde before returning to complete her LLB and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Stephanie started her career in private practice before moving in house to global accountancy firm, Mazars. From there, she became Managing Director with EBS Trustees Limited, one of Scotland’s oldest Will writing & private trust companies, before becoming a Consultant Solicitor in 2020. As well as being a current member of the Law Society of Scotland, Stephanie is also a Notary Public and a full member of STEP (The Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners), an internationally recognised association for private client professionals. Stephanie has also completed STEP diplomas in both Scottish and English Wills, Trusts and Estates as well as their Advanced Certificate in Will Writing. A well kent face in the West of Scotland business community, Stephanie is also a regular contributor to Paisley FM’s “Legal Matters” program. CONTENTS Chapter 1. Preliminary Matters Chapter 2. Intestate Law Chapter 3. Testate Law Chapter 4. Starting the Administration of the Estate Chapter 5. Initial Investigations Chapter 6. Assets Written in Trust Chapter 7. Applying for Confirmation Chapter 8. Ingathering Assets Chapter 9. Distribution & Discharge Chapter 10. Legal Rights Chapter 11. Cohabiting Partners Chapter 12. Divorce and Death Chapter 13. Problem Executors & Beneficiaries Chapter 14. Varying the Terms of an Estate Chapter 15. Inheritance Tax Chapter 16. Income Tax Chapter 17. Capital Gains Tax Chapter 18. Business Development Opportunities Chapter 19. Useful Addresses Chapter 20. Further Reading