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Legal Requirements

For a Will to be effective in Scotland the following requirements must be met by the person writing the Will:-

  • You must be an adult, normally over the age of sixteen years (though Scots Law does allow for a child over the age of 12 years to write their own Will);
  • You must be of sound mind and have the mental capacity to understand the nature and effect of your Will;
  • Your domicile must be in Scotland (that is, you live in Scotland or you are Scottish but are temporarily living abroad with the intention of returning to Scotland); and
  • Your new Will must be properly signed. See our signing instructions which will be automatically printed as the last page of your new Will.
  • Please note that if you use percentages to describe the benefit you wish to leave to your beneficiaries, your new Will shall only be effective if the percentages add up to 100%: otherwise your new Will shall not be effective.

"Please also read our "When should I see a Solicitor"