Buying a first home is probably the first time most people have to engage a solicitor. Basic conveyancing has become a very competitive legal service, whether through qualified solicitors or “licenced conveyancers”.

For many first time buyers the cheapest deal may seem the best. At Pitmans we believe in quality of advice and service, and find we work best with clients who want the best. We like to add value to the basic service for clients buying (or selling) property – whether for the first time, moving up the ladder, or buying for investment and so on.

As you accumulate wealth, and develop a family, owning property in a tax-efficient manner, and making a Will in case of sudden death, becomes increasingly important.

If property has been passed down to the next generation, there are various issues such as the "gift with reservation of benefit rules" and "pre-owned assets tax" which can have a serious impact on a family's tax and succession plans. Appropriate advice is essential to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

On the other side of the picture, separation, divorce, and death, particularly in the case of unmarried partners, can have disastrous practical and tax consequences for joint owners of property if you have not taken specialist advice, and made Wills, because of the Intestacy Rules.

Buying property abroad is even more fraught with tax and succession problems, because of the forced heirship rules which apply in most European countries, including Scotland. Also, tax rates in Europe are high, and exemption levels very low, compared with the UK. Assets passing between spouses are not exempt from tax as they are in the UK.

For further information contact Marian Lynch.