Are you dealing with unexpected problems after buying a house in Scotland? From damp patches and faulty heating to missing fixtures and roof leaks, many homebuyers discover issues after they’ve moved in. But what are your legal rights - and can you claim compensation...
Allan
The Importance of Estate Planning: Why It Matters in Protecting Your Legacy
Planning ahead isn’t just about passing on wealth – it’s about peace of mind. At Wallace Quinn, we help individuals and families across Scotland secure their future through effective estate planning. This blog post is designed to educate readers about the importance...
Wallace Quinn Sponsors The Bathgate Procession and Community Festival
Wallace Quinn Solicitors were proud sponsors of musical talent at The Bathgate Procession and Community Festival on Saturday 7th June, championing local talent Fraser McLean. We are delighted to have been involved in the sponsorship of the live music tent at this...
Power of Attorney and Dementia: Planning for When It Strikes
Dementia doesn’t just affect memory - it affects lives. Families are often left unsure of how to help their loved one when cognitive decline sets in. Whether caused by Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the condition can slowly strip away a person’s ability to...
Scotland’s Property Market Holding Strong in 2025, Says Zoopla House Price Index
The latest Zoopla House Price Index (April 2025) brings encouraging news for the Scottish housing market. While overall UK house price growth is beginning to slow, Scotland continues to outperform, with annual house price inflation sitting at 2.7% - well above the UK...
Dying intestate in Scotland means higher costs and potential delay
When you die, someone needs to deal with the administration of your estate. The administration of the estate involves discovering and listing all your property, assets and investments and their value, then finding out about the extent of your debts to arrive at the...
Why unmarried cohabiting couples must make Wills
There are complicated rules in Scotland when someone dies intestate. Dying intestate means dying without having made a Will. Within these rules are safeguards to ensure the surviving spouse or civil partner shares in the estate of their deceased spouse or civil...
Who will inherit your estate if you die without a Will?
When you die without a Will, also known as dying intestate, your estate will be wound up under the rules of intestate succession. Intestate succession is when you die without having made a Will. The rules of intestate succession in Scotland set out how much your...
Equity release: Home reversion plan or lifetime mortgage?
Once you reach 55 years of age, you have options if you have equity locked up in your house. When you reach that age, as a homeowner, you have the ability to release the capital locked up in your property. You can do that by taking out a home reversion plan or a...
What happens after you’ve repaid your mortgage?
When you consider the average mortgage is twenty five years and that you’ve probably moved house once or twice and started the twenty five years all over again, you might think there would be more of a celebration when you make that final mortgage payment. There...
Additional Dwelling Supplement costs increase by 2% – Again!!
In the latest Scottish Budget, presented by the Scottish Finance Secretary, Fiona Robison, on 4th December 2024, she announced that from 5th December 2024 the rate of the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) would increase by 2%. This means it will rise from 6% to 8%....
What impact has the UK Budget had on Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning?
In the recent UK budget, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced a range of changes in the way estates are dealt with for Inheritance Tax (IHT). These changes will have significant implications for many people, especially homeowners with property prices reaching...
Assessing the Need for Long-term Residential Care: A 2024 Perspective
Assessing the Need for Long-term Residential Care: A 2024 Perspective As we continue to age, the prospect of needing long-term residential care can raise concerns. In Scotland, recent statistics for 2024 highlight some noteworthy trends. The number of registered...
Bridging the Generational Gap: Talking to Parents About Equity Release
Bridging the Generational Gap: Talking to Parents About Equity Release Talking to parents about equity release - as young adults, we often find ourselves navigating through life's milestones with the support and guidance of our parents. From choosing a career path to...
Dying Without A Will in Scotland – one important change coming in April 2024
Why You Should Always Have a Will Before we talk about the changes, it is worth reiterating the three most important things you can do to help your loved ones when you die: (1) Make a Will, (2) Make a Will, and (3), Make a Will. There is one other important thing...
10 tips for preparing your property for sale viewings
Preparing your property for sale and ensuring it is looking its best is an essential step ahead of the photographer arriving to take pictures and potential buyers coming for viewings. By taking the time to make your property inviting, you can help maximise the...
The Role of an Executor in Scotland
What Administering an Estate Involves The administration of an estate incorporates a blend of legal acumen and administrative tasks. Confronted with potential challenges or claims on the estate or even navigating the estate's winding-up process without a Will— known...
Wills and Estates – Can a murderer inherit from his victim?
Can a murderer inherit from his victim? If you like reading old crime novels or watching whodunnits on TV, you’ll have read plenty of stories where the prime suspects in the murder of a wealthy individual are the children and the motive is a large inheritance. But...