Executry guidebook gets update

Stephanie Christie-Carmichael

Glasgow-based solicitor Stephanie Christie-Carmichael’s practical guidebook How to Settle An Estate in Scotland was originally published in 2022.

Ms Christie-Carmichael said: “As a veteran estate management solicitor, I wanted to share my in-depth knowledge in a way which would genuinely help less experienced colleagues be able to go through the executry process smoothly and successfully from beginning to end.

“Many high street and trainee solicitors are expected to cover a broad spectrum of legal matters, and few have in-depth knowledge of the executry process. My book is not a traditional weighty legal tome, its written to offer practical and helpful advice for the completion of a very important legal process.”

The new edition of the book has been expanded and updated to cover the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 and includes guidance for completing applications for confirmation. The book contains plenty of further information for general practitioners about all aspects of settling an estate. Other themes covered include:

• Style guide accounting templates
• Inheritance tax updates 
• Testate and intestate law
• Distribution and discharge
• Identifying estate assets
• Cohabiting partners, divorce and death
• Problem executors and beneficiaries
• Capital gains tax

Ms Christie-Carmichael added: “Not only did I want to provide practical guidance on executry administration for solicitors across Scotland, but it makes good business sense for smaller law firms to have a resource which makes the process of settling an estate as painless as possible for valued clients. It’s essential to be able to support families and friends properly during what is always a difficult time.”

The book will be published on Monday 4 August and is available here.