Services for Private Individuals
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At Delaney Graham we offer a wide range of services for private individuals. Consultations can be conducted using video technology so that you can do everything from the comfort of your own home if you wish. Alternatively, you may prefer to visit our city centre office or request a home visit if you would rather meet your appointed lawyer in person.
Death of a loved one
Losing a family member can be one of the most difficult times of our life.
Whether your loved one has died with or without a Will we can help you wind up the estate. We will talk you through the process and offer you guidance at every step of the way.
If you are an Executor, we can help you understand what is involved at every stage. We will prepare the paperwork that needs to go to the Court, deal with HM Revenue & Customs, obtain Confirmation (the equivalent of English Probate), deal with any debts and distribute the estate. Whether the estate is modest, or whether it is high value with assets in different jurisdictions, we can help.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows the granter to delegate financial and/or welfare decisions to someone of their choosing. Many people are unaware that this document is an important element of sensible planning for ANY adult who owns assets or owes debts, and not just for older adults or those who are worried about declining cognitive health.
Sadly, accidents can happen at any age and if you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated, in the absence of a POA, no other person can legally make decisions on your behalf. This is often a surprise to many people who think that their spouse or long-term partner would have automatic authority to speak to their bank or mobile phone company, for example, or perhaps consent to medical treatment; however, this is not the case. In the absence of a POA, family members do not even have the right to cancel your broadband or magazine subscription, let alone consent to a surgical procedure.
At Delaney Graham we can help you appoint someone you trust to look after your affairs if you are no longer able to do so yourself.
We can also help you if you have been appointed an Attorney for someone else and need some support with how best to discharge your duties.
Making a Will
Dying without a Will can be costly and upsetting for the people you leave behind. No matter what stage you are at in life, at Delaney Graham we will help you ensure that your wishes are carried out, and those closest to you are protected.
A Will can be used to leave legacies of money or special possessions, make charitable bequests, leave funeral instructions, or even appoint guardians for young children.
It’s always a good idea to review your Will every five years or so, but there are some life events that might mean you should revisit your arrangements sooner; these include: getting married, having a baby, moving house, inheriting from an estate, getting divorced or losing a loved one.
If you move in with someone you should also review your Will arrangements. Couples who are unmarried have no automatic right to the other person’s estate (even if they have children together). You could end up being liable for the whole of your mortgage, but not inheriting anything at all from your partner!
Whether your family circumstances are straightforward or complicated, we can structure your Will to suit your requirements. If you are looking for a simple Will, we offer an affordable Will in plain terms, but if you need a more sophisticated Will that incorporates a trust, we can help with that too. All of our Will solutions are competitively priced and can usually be turned around in less than two weeks.
Protecting your Wealth for future generations
Our experienced team can help you structure your estate during your lifetime to reduce your Inheritance Tax liability when you die. Regular gifting or tax-efficient planning through the creation of a Trust for your family can help. Whatever the value of your estate, we can work in tandem with your financial advisor or tax advisor to make sure your financial and legal arrangements dovetail together and the money you have worked so hard for stays in your family.
Meet the team
Dianne qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and has over 15 years’ experience in private client work. Returning to working in Glasgow where she trained from 2007-2009, Dianne is delighted to be serving the people of Glasgow (and beyond!), as well as continuing to serve the people of Troon and Ayrshire, where she has been based for the last 13 years.
