0141 674 4366

Estate Planning Solicitors

Your estate plan decides who inherits, who makes decisions for you if you cannot, and how much of what you have built is lost to tax. Our estate planning lawyers put that plan in writing under Scots law, and keep it working as your life and the rules change.

Our Private Client team is dual-qualified, so we also provide expert legal advice to clients with homes, family members or assets in England and Wales.

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What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning means arranging your legal and financial affairs now, so your wishes are carried out if you lose mental capacity or die. In Scotland, a complete estate plan usually includes a Will, a Power of Attorney, inheritance tax planning and, where it helps, a Trust.

A well structured estate plan lets you:

  • Decide who inherits your estate and who manages it
  • Choose who makes financial and welfare decisions if you cannot
  • Reduce the inheritance tax your family pays
  • Protect children, vulnerable relatives and family wealth
  • Avoid delay, cost and disputes for the people you leave behind
A couple discussing there power of attorney needs with their solicitor

Jones Whyte are Uniquely Placed to Handle Cross Border Estates

Scots law and the law of England and Wales treat Wills, inheritance and Powers of Attorney differently. If you own property on both sides of the border, have family there, or may move, your documents need to work in each place. Because our team is dual-qualified, we provide expert legal services on both.

With over 30 members of staff dedicated to our Private Client department and over 30 years of experience in this area of law, we are able to advise on all aspects of later life planning.

Our private client solicitors also advise on Bereavement matters such as estate administration, paying inheritance tax and applying for probate. Scots law differs greatly from English law in this area so choosing Jones Whyte means one team handling your whole case.

If you are a former client of McClure’s Solicitors, please click here.

30+ staff
Dedicated Private Client team
2026
Law Firm of the Year
Dual-Qualified
Scots, English & Welsh law
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Contact Jones Whyte today

At Jones Whyte, we understand that legal matters can feel overwhelming and complex, especially when you’re trying to structure your estate in the most tax efficient way.

No matter the complexity of your case, we believe in clear communication, transparent processes, and a client-first approach. Reach out today and let us help you move forward with confidence.

0141 674 4366
info@joneswhyte.co.uk

Or simply fill out the contact form, and a member of our team will be in touch soon.

Request a free consultation

A bit more on our estate planning services

Will Writing

A Will sets out who inherits your estate and who deals with it as your executor (the person who gathers in your assets and pays them out). Without one, the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 decides for you.

We draft standard Wills, complex Wills for blended families, business owners and people with property in more than one country, and discretionary Trust Wills that give your executors flexibility after your death. If you prefer, you can start your Will online.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you cannot. In Scotland that means a Continuing Power of Attorney for money and property, a Welfare Power of Attorney for health and care, or both together.

We also put in place combined Continuing and Welfare Powers of Attorney, apply for Guardianship Orders where no Power of Attorney exists, and advise on Lasting Power of Attorney for clients in England and Wales.

Inheritance Tax Planning

Inheritance tax is charged at 40% on the part of your estate above the tax-free thresholds. We use gifting, reliefs, Trusts and the structure of your Will to reduce what your family pays.

Our inheritance tax planning advice covers gifting strategies, inheritance tax and pensions, inheritance tax on property, business property relief and agricultural property relief, all built around the current thresholds and allowances to help you keep your estate tax efficient.

Trust Planning

A Trust holds assets for the people you choose, under rules you set. Trusts can protect assets, family wealth, provide for a vulnerable beneficiary or form part of your inheritance tax plan.

We set up family and asset protection Trusts, testamentary Trusts created through your Will, and vulnerable persons Trusts for a beneficiary with a disability or care needs. We will tell you plainly whether a Trust would help, and which type suits you.

ESTATE PLANNING, SCOTLAND

Why Estate Planning Matters in Scotland

Scots law has its own rules on inheritance and incapacity. Without a plan, those rules decide what happens, and they may not match what you want.

Without a Will, the law decides who inherits

If you die without a Will, your estate is dealt with under the rules of intestacy. An unmarried partner has no automatic right to inherit and would have to make a claim through the court within a strict time limit. Your family would also need to apply to the sheriff court before anyone could deal with your estate.

In Scotland, your spouse and children have legal rights

In Scotland, a surviving spouse or civil partner and your children can claim a fixed share of your moveable estate, whatever your Will says. A properly drafted Will takes this into account so your wishes are not undone.

Losing capacity without a Power of Attorney in place

If you lose capacity, your family has no automatic right to run your bank accounts or make care decisions, even if you are married. Without a Power of Attorney they may need to apply to the sheriff court for a Guardianship Order, which usually takes longer and costs more.

Frozen thresholds bring more estates into inheritance tax

The tax-free thresholds have not risen with house prices and are frozen until 2031. From April 2027, most unused pension funds will also count towards your estate for inheritance tax purposes. Planning early gives you more ways to reduce the bill.

Who should consider estate planning?

Ultimately, anyone over the age of 18 will benefit from having a Will and Power of Attorney. However, planning is especially important if you:

  • Own your own home, or a property in more than one place
  • Have children under 16 and want to chose their guardian in the event of your passing
  • Are in a blended family or live with a partner you are not married to
  • Own a business, farm or agricultural land
  • Have an estate close to or above the inheritance tax thresholds
  • Support a relative with disability or care needs
  • Are approaching retirement or drawing your pension
Accountant reviewing financial report and tax documents on laptop while using calculator for account analysis, real estate investment planning, expense management, and reporting workflow.

PLAN FOR LATER LIFE TODAY

Use Our Free Estate Planning Calculators

Not sure what you need or what it will cost? Start with one of our calculators. Both are free and give you a clear starting point for later life planning. If you gain more clarity, you can book a meeting with one of our private client solicitors.

WORRIED ABOUT INHERITANCE TAX?

Inheritance Tax Liability Calculator

Answer a few questions about your home, savings, pensions, business interests and past gifts. In under 3 minutes you will see:

  • An estimate of the inheritance tax your estate could face
  • Your IHT risk profile, showing which parts of your estate drive the bill
  • The best planning options suited to your circumstances

Your result is an estimate for guidance, not tax advice. Our solicitors can confirm your position and build the plan.

Calculate my IHT liability

WONDERING HOW MUCH ESTATE PLANNING COSTS?

Estate Planning Cost Calculator

Select the documents you want to put in place, from a single Will to a full plan with Powers of Attorney and Trusts. You will see:

  • An estimated cost for Jones Whyte to put each document in place
  • A total estimated cost for a whole estate plan
  • The option to send your selection to our team and book a meeting

Your estimate is based on the information you give. We confirm your fee in writing before any work starts.

Estimate my costs

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How we work

We keep the process clear, so you always know what happens next

STEP 1

Tell us about you

Call us, send an enquiry or use one of our calculators to share the basics of your estate and family.

STEP 2

Meet your solicitor

We talk through your wishes, review your assets and explain your options in plain language.

STEP 3

Agree your plan

You get a written recommendation and a confirmed fee before any work starts.

STEP 4

Sign and register

We draft your documents, guide you through signing and register them where necessary.

STEP 5

Keep it up to date

We review your plan when your life or the law changes, so it keeps doing its job.

Start With Your Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on which documents you need and how complex your estate is. A single Will costs much less than a full plan with Trusts and inheritance tax advice for more complex estates. Our estate planning cost calculator lets you choose the documents you need and gives you an estimated cost, or you can call us on 0141 674 4366 for a quote.

Insights

Seeking legal advice and understanding your needs can feel overwhelming. Our insights offer clarity and guidance, showing how we can support you every step of the way.

View Insights
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