Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For 175 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For 175 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
Family relationships can be challenging, and parents and children or spouses may become estranged for a wide variety of reasons. As a result, you could be wondering whether they may still be able to inherit from your estate. In this article, we look at what is known in law as ‘legal rights’ and how they might apply in different circumstances.
While you can, of course, fail to make provision for your spouse or children in your Will, they may still be able to inherit from your estate under what is known as ‘legal rights’.
Under the law in Scotland, surviving spouses and children of the deceased are entitled to a share in their estate, regardless of whether the person died with or without a Will - known as ‘legal rights’.
Only married partners are entitled to legal rights, even if you have lived with a partner for a long time. It is, however, possible for a cohabiting partner to make an application to the court for a share in their deceased partner’s estate.
Legal rights are designed to ensure that a person leaves part of their estate to the people they had closest ties to and uphold the principle of family protection.
Your spouse or civil partner has a legal right to inherit from your estate regardless of whether they are named in your Will. Even if you are separated from your spouse or civil partner, they will be able to claim legal rights until divorce/dissolution or until you discharge legal rights as part of a separation agreement.
However, where they are named in your Will, they may choose between legal rights and what you have left them in your Will - they are not entitled to both.
The legal rights of a spouse or civil partner are either:
Legal rights apply to not only your biological children but also any adopted children, and they will not be required to make an application to the court - legal rights are automatic. Children are entitled to either:
Murray Beith Murray Partner, Peter Shand, is head of the Asset Protection group and is a specialist in succession and estate planning. If this article has raised any questions or you would like to speak to one of our specialist lawyers, then please get in touch using our enquiry form or call on 0131 225 1200. View our asset protection group here.
Murray Beith Murray was established in 1849, as advisors for generations of clients, committed to our values of integrity, expertise and trust. This aim and these values continue to this day as does our commitment to be here when you need us.
