First things first - obtain proper legal advice. You should have a basic grasp of the steps and procedures which lie ahead and be aware not only of the upfront costs but also the ongoing financial commitments which you will undertake when you complete your purchase. At as early a stage as possible, we recommend that you arrange your mortgage.
- Read more on our services for Selling Property
- Read more on our services for Buying Property
At andersonbain & co we have a free first interview policy and would welcome the opportunity of meeting with you to provide helpful and practical advice on all of these aspects.
Looking for a property in Aberdeen?
A good place to start your search is our 'Properties for Sale' page.
We are members of Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre. Their office is in Chapel Street, where schedules for all properties being marketed by solicitors in Aberdeen City and surrounding areas are displayed. The Property Centre is an extremely impressive marketing medium for property sales, their weekly Property Register is widely available and their website is a "state of the art" facility. Press advertising is also popular although many sellers will avoid or restrict their use of this medium since regular advertising can prove quite costly. We would recommend you to view as many properties as possible before electing to pursue your interest in one specific property. Current legislation dictates that buyers have access to a Home Report for every property on the market (with some minor exceptions). This contains a full survey report on the condition of the property including its current valuation, an Energy Performance Certificate and a Property Questionnaire which provides practical information on the property. You should be able to gain access to each Home Report through Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre. If however, you have any difficulty in accessing this information we as your Solicitor will be able to obtain that for you.
The First Steps to Buying your Property?
Having narrowed your search down to one or a small number of properties after viewing, then your next step should be to contact your conveyancing solicitor who will "note an interest" with the selling agent on your behalf. Even if you are only tentatively interested in a property you should ask your solicitor to do this. This involves no cost or commitment but simply lets the seller know that you are actively interested and by doing this you will be kept advised of any developments in connection with the sale. Your solicitor will approach the seller's agents to find out what he can about the property i.e. how long it has been on the market, whether or not there are any other noted interests and generally find out any other relevant information before reporting to you. From this point, your solicitor would guide you throughout each step with a view to tying up a formal binding contract setting out terms on which you have agreed to purchase your new property.
Mortgage Arrangement?
If we are dealing with the arrangement of your mortgage then we assume the onus of ensuring that the mortgage papers are issued timeously to ensure that the funds are available. If you are making your own arrangements then you should ensure that your mortgage broker/advisor is fully aware of the date of entry as we will require to have your mortgage lender's papers issued preferably by no later than one week before your date of entry.
Conveyancing Solicitors Aberdeen
If you’re thinking of buying or selling your home, we can help. We are a focused practice with decades of conveyancing experience. For expert conveyancing advice in Aberdeen or the surrounding areas, please call Anderson Bain on 01224 456 789 or click here.
I’d like to thank you for all your help and advice – professional and friendly as ever! - S Craig
Legal issues concerning your family are often the most challenging. Reaching an agreement that satisfies all parties can be an emotionally draining experience, particularly if negotiations are taking place after a relationship breakdown or separation.
That is why the support of an experienced team of family law specialists can be so beneficial. Our family lawyers have many years of experience handling a broad range of family cases. We are trusted by our clients to provide reliable, pragmatic and precise advice.
Our family law expertise
Whatever your circumstances, our professional and friendly family law solicitors are here to protect your interests. We regularly offer support and guidance on matters, including:
- Divorce
- Separation Agreements
- Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements
- Cohabitees
- Dissolution of Civil Partnerships
- Financial Settlements
- Child Residence and Contact Orders
- Cohabitation and Separation
How can our family lawyers help you?
Our solicitors are specially trained to deal with a wide range of issues, from divorce and matters concerning children to preparing prenuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements that offer financial protection to married and unmarried couples.
While many people believe family law matters require an adversarial approach, this does not have to be the case. We spend much of our time working closely with our clients to help them reach an amicable agreement with the other party through negotiation. This approach often results in a far more positive, quick and cost-effective outcome than can be achieved by going to court.
If you are looking to become an adoptive parent, or you are the birth parents to a child going through the adoption process, our adoption lawyers can assist you throughout the legal process, including local authority processes.
If you are going through changes in your family life, it is crucial to be aware of the legal implications that can arise as a result. We can advise on related matters, such as property, and can help you to make legal arrangements that give you clarity and certainty moving forward.
We appreciate that instructing a solicitor to deal with family matters can be a difficult decision to make. Our team will work hard to reassure you throughout the process and to get the best outcome possible.
How we work
No two families are the same, so we always work to ensure that the advice we give is carefully considered to meet your needs and circumstances. We appreciate that our clients often have to make potentially life-changing decisions at a time when they are under a great deal of stress. As such, we will take the time to go through your options with you carefully, clearly and at a pace that suits you.
At all times, your solicitor will be available to answer any questions you have or to go over matters in detail so you can make decisions that are right for you. With every case we take on, we guarantee that the utmost skill and care are taken to achieve the best possible result for you and your family.
Contact our Family Lawyers in Aberdeen, Scotland
If you need advice on family law including divorce, separation, cohabitation and child law contact us today. Call andersonbain on 01224 456 789, or complete our online contact form.
Making a Will ensures that your money and possessions will be dealt with as you wish after your death. In some situations, if you do not make a Will, the results can be particularly unfortunate for your family or partner. If you own a house or flat, it is even more important to draw up a Will. Our specialist lawyers are here to help, whatever your circumstance.
Costs of Making a Will
This tends to vary according to how complex your financial affairs are. For a simple Will, the cost is relatively inexpensive - at andersonbain, the typical charge is £190 + vat for SIngle Wills and £300+vat for Mirror Wills (for couples).
Executors
Executors are the persons (or institutions) you appoint in your Will to deal with your estate after your death. It is their function to implement your instructions and administer your estate in accordance with your wishes. Generally, you would appoint your partner, children, close friends or relatives as Executors. Very often your solicitor will be co-executor (although this is not essential).
Who should I provide for?
Usually, people leave their assets to their closest relatives. At andersonbain we can advise whether, for example, you should leave all your estate to your spouse/partner, or whether part should be left to your children. Often a Will can be used as an opportunity of saying "thank you" to a good friend or making a charitable donation.
Your House
If you own a house jointly, you would normally want to make sure that your co-owner inherits your half-share. This does not always happen automatically and can cause enormous difficulties for your co-owner if he / she does not inherit your share.
Changes
Your Will can be changed at any time. However, to ensure these changes are not subject to challenge, please get your solicitor to make these changes for you.
Taxation
You may have to pay tax if you have a large amount of property to leave. If so, it is important to take advice from a solicitor who may be able to significantly reduce your tax liability.
Contact our Wills & Executry Lawyers in Aberdeen today
For expert wills writing advice in Aberdeen or the surrounding areas, please get in touch by phone on 01224 456 789 or by completing our online form.
Our commercial lawyers can assist your business with a wide range of commercial services, including commercial leases, assignations and purchase, and business acquisitions and disposals. We work alongside companies of all sizes and from many different industries in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and across Scotland.
Our practice has grown over the last 20 years to become a well-respected leader in the Scottish commercial conveyancing market. Our clients value our extensive knowledge of business law and associated financial matters, as well as our exceptional level of service and competitive prices.
To discuss how our solicitors can help make a difference to your business, contact us today by calling 01224 456 789 or complete our online contact form and we will be in touch at a convenient time.
Our Commercial Legal Services in Scotland
Our commercial partners focus on adding value at every stage. We are proactive, identifying great business opportunities, as well as any risks, along the way. We can help you with:
Business acquisitions and disposals
There are many important steps and considerations involved in buying and selling a business, including raising finance, tax matters and legal due diligence. We can advise you on all aspects of buying or selling a business, ensuring your transaction is well structured and consistent with your commercial objectives. But we also know our limits! If your transaction is one which we feel we are not best equipped to handle, we have many trusted colleagues who we can recommend.
Commercial property
We provide guidance to business clients on the full range of legal matters involved in commercial property transactions, including financing, conveyancing negotiations, purchasing, leasing and sales. Our commercial property lawyers will quickly get to know your project and provide advice tailored to your objectives, budget, and timeframe.
Commercial leases
You need to be sure that the terms of any commercial lease work for you and your business. This is a highly detailed area of law. Our commercial lease solicitors have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Scottish commercial property market, allowing us to provide a first-class service, whether you are dealing with lease negotiations, assignations or disputes.
Commercial landlord and tenant
Disputes between commercial landlords and tenants are common, and they can be costly and time-consuming. We can advise you fully of your legal position and help you to resolve matters efficiently.
Contact Our Commercial Lawyers in Aberdeen, Scotland
If you are looking for high-quality commercial legal services, andersonbain can help. Commercial law is a broad area of practice that not only requires detailed knowledge , but also its skilful application. We are confident that we can help you meet and exceed your commercial goals. To discuss your needs with our solicitors, call us today on 01224 456 789 or complete our online enquiry form.
What options are open to you if, one day, you can no longer look after yourself? This is a question that we all need to consider but often overlook. The reality is that a lot can happen in life, and something, whether through illness, accident or simply by virtue of growing older, may result in our no longer being able to do everything ourselves.
Have you ever considered whether a Power of Attorney could be useful? These legal documents allow you to appoint someone to look after you and your interests, should you find yourself unable to do so. At Anderson Bain, an increasing number of our clients are being more proactive in planning for their long-term welfare by exploring the possibility of creating a Power of Attorney alongside writing their Will.
Power of Attorney Fees
The price for a Single Power of Attorney is £290+vat and for Mirror Power of Attorney is £450+ vat. Office of the Public Guardian dues of £85 per person.
Power of Attorney Lawyers, Aberdeen
A Power of Attorney is a legal instrument that gives you complete freedom to decide how your interests will be catered for if you find that you’re unable to look after yourself. Many people think that a Power of Attorney is only relevant to people approaching old age. This is simply not true: we can all suffer an injury or develop a condition that could severely impact on our lives. Power of Attorney ensures that, no matter how severely we’re affected by an injury or illness, someone will be there to help with our care and make decisions on our behalf.
The person that you choose to provide some kind of care in a Power of Attorney will be your 'Attorney'. The person you decide to appoint as your Attorney should be someone that you trust. You can appoint a close friend, a family member or even a professional firm to act as your Attorney. The important point is that whomever you choose should be capable of protecting your interests should they ever be needed to make decisions on your behalf. It is a good idea for you to think carefully about who you would like this to be, and to perhaps take some time to discuss with the person concerned why you would like them to take on this responsibility. Doing so allows them to ask you some questions and gain a fuller appreciation of how you would like them to carry out their role under a Power of Attorney.
This also raises another important point: what kind of care would you like to be provided under a Power of Attorney? Your answer to this question will determine the kind of Power of Attorney that will be most useful. There are different types of Powers of Attorney:
-
1. Continuing Power of Attorney
This is more appropriate if you are particularly concerned about how your money will be handled if you find yourself unable to organise this yourself. Under a Continuing Power of Attorney, you will be able to set out how your Attorney is to use your money and assets. This gives often much needed reassurance to many of our clients who are worried for their property and investments.
2. Welfare Power of Attorney
These relate to your wanting to put some kind of plan in place for your own personal care, i.e. healthcare, decisions regarding medical treatment etc. It also relates to your being involved in other social activities, should you find yourself unable to attend them unaided.
3. Continuing and Welfare Power of Attorney
Alternatively, you may see some benefit in using both a Continuing and Welfare Power of Attorney. This is possible and the two can be combined to cover both your welfare and financial interests. At andersonbain, we are regularly asked about whether it is possible to take advantage of both types of Power of Attorney, with our clients anxious to ensure that no aspect of their future needs is left unattended.
You needn't be worried that your independence will be interfered with by virtue of your creating a Power of Attorney. They will not come into effect straight away: a Welfare Power of Attorney will only take effect if or when it becomes clear that you are no longer able to look after yourself, i.e. are in some way mentally incapacitated. A Continuing Power of Attorney can either take immediate effect or at a later point that you identify in the document itself. Moreover, it is important that you make sure that the document itself is created properly, observing the important technical requirements that are imposed by law.
With more and more clients becoming interested in arranging for their long-term care in the event of ill health or injury, at Anderson Bain we have developed a great deal of expertise in advising on and creating Powers of Attorney. The fact of the matter is that many of us, at some point or another, will find ourselves in need of assistance which requires us to turn to others to help us through our daily lives. However, the realisation needn’t come as a surprise, causing stress and anxiety. You can take a few well-advised steps now to decide who you would like to look after your interests later in life, and how they will do so, by making use of a Power of Attorney. These documents are a very effective way of providing you and your loved one's peace of mind that your long-term interests will be protected by someone who is trustworthy and capable of the duties expected of them.
At andersonbain, we have a friendly and effective team of solicitors who are often asked to help clients prepare for the future. We take pride in showing that we are here to help you make the arrangements that reflect your interests and ensure your comfort later in life. To find out more about how we can help you, please contact us.
Contact our Power of Attorney Lawyers in Aberdeen today
For expert advice on Powers of Attorney in Aberdeen or the surrounding areas, please get in touch on 01224 456 789 or by completing our online form.