Law Society Pursues Transparency On Incessant Probate Delays
The Law Society strived to obtain clarity this week by meeting with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) for an update on the never-ending probate delays. The Law Society and representatives from Solicitors for the Elderly and Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners attended a follow-up meeting in London to keep the pressure on HMCTS […]
Security Specialist Helps Protects Firms For Future Success
Are you a business owner or senior manager/partner in Wills and estate planning who wants to protect and secure your business from reputational damage? Head of IT and security specialist at The Practical Vision Network, Jen Williams, is a key speaker at a seminar hosted by Today’s Wills and Probate on preparing your firm for […]
The First Ever CRM System Specifically Designed For Will Writers, Estate Planners and Private Client Solicitors!
One CRM doesn’t fit all businesses. The key is to select the software that’s right for the way your business works. Choosing the correct CRM for your business can dramatically improve productivity, increase sales and heighten customer satisfaction. Which is why Countrywide Legacy has taken the step of creating a unique Customer Relationship Management system designed solely for Will Writers, Estate Planning professionals and […]
Co-op’s H1 Profits Increase Despite Declining Funeral Sales
The Co-operative Groups interim results for the opening half of 2019 highlight significant growth despite the fall in Funeral revenue. Between January and June 2019, the Co-op’s Funeral and Life Planning sales fell by 6% to £163 million. The Co-op attribute the declining sales to an unexpected 10% fall in the death rate and their […]
The New Wills Notification System And the Charity Sector
As the Wills Notification Service transitions into a temporary iteration this summer, Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) and Institute of Scottish Professional Willwriters’ (ISPW) members will need to ensure they are aware of the changes that are likely to impact the charity sector. Despite Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) announcing that the 12-month […]
Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order 2018 Officially Lapses
The Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order has officially lapsed. It means that the current fixed fee of £215, or £155 when a solicitor is used, will not be replaced with a sliding scale rising to £6,000 depending on the estate’s value. Ministers have decided to allow the Order, in its current form, to lapse as Brexit […]
Why Establishing Testamentary Capacity Is Not a Tick-Box Exercise
One of the many challenges for legal practitioners specialising in Will drafting is establishing the testamentary capacity of the Testator. While in some cases, the presence or absence of sufficient mental capacity may be clear, in others, there may be some uncertainty, necessitating a more comprehensive process to reach a consensus. In the case of […]
The Practicalities of Paying Inheritance Tax
The payment of Inheritance Tax on estates would appear to be a growing problem for Personal Representatives. In 2009/10, just 2.7% of estates were subject to Inheritance Tax, whereas in 2015/16, this had risen to 4.2% of estates. (Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/730125/Table_12_3.pdf) Any impact that the introduction of the Residence Nil Rate Band has had on the […]
An Increase In Client Demand Leads Arken To Add Advance Decisions To Its Document Generating Software
Whereas a Will enables people to make express decisions to let other people administer their property after they have died, sometimes it is desirable to give binding instructions while still living in order to establish in advance control of what will happen in relation to property or physical care should mental or physical capacity become […]
Webinar: Why going ‘Paper-Lite’ Is Essential For Your Firms Information Security
Law firms have traditionally been ‘paper-heavy’ environments and while firms are better aware of the benefits of going ‘Paper-Lite’, making it a reality has been easier said than done. A new entrant to the legal services market has made it their mission to enable law firms to digitise paper documents easily and inexpensively. This allows […]
Brexit Party Pledge To Abolish Inheritance Tax
Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party has announced its first manifesto pledge, beyond anything Brexit related, this week. Richard Tice, the Brexit Party’s Chairman, promised to abolish inheritance tax in its entirety. The Chairman of the Party believes that tax on death is ‘mean, wrong-headed,’ causing tension and discontent for less than 1% of all taxable revenue. […]
How To Increase Your Funeral Plan Sales In 3 Easy Steps
Tom Stansfield – Fortis Law Businesses and their owners all have key objectives. Most are concerned with their bottom line, making profit, and just as importantly helping our clients by providing good customer service and solutions to legal problems. Funeral plans can be a great solution for many clients but are overlooked by many estate […]
New Italian Law Service Offered By Buckles Solicitors
Buckles Solicitors LLP has extended it’s international service offering following the appointment of Jessica Zama. Jessica’s appointment sees the firm extending its services into Italian private client law. Jessica joined the firm in July, based in the London office in the International department. She is bilingual in both English and Italian, and qualified as a […]
90% Of The British Wills And Probate Awards 2019 Nominees Use Certainty the National Will Register
The nominees for this year’s British Wills and Probate Awards were announced in August. The awards are an opportunity to recognise Wills and probate professionals across the country who are making an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as forward-thinking individuals who are making a difference. This year’s awards include four new categories which […]
Ministry Of Justice Continues Digital Reformation With Live Chat Option
Legal service users anxious over their probate or social security and child support services (SSCS) can now get immediate access to support according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Throughout 2019, the MoJ has been digitally reforming a number of services in a bid to widen the use of legal services in England and Wales. […]
What To Do When Ltd Sponsor ‘Community Involvement’ Category
What To Do When Ltd are thrilled to be a part of the second upcoming prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards, which is brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd, a leader in software solutions for the legal services. What To Do When Ltd are ectastic to be […]
Industry Awards Judge Is Shortlisted At Best Business Women Awards
Chief Executive of the Institute of Paralegals, Rita Leat, who is on the judging panel for the upcoming British Wills and Probate Awards, has been shortlisted at the Best Business Women Awards 2019 following their recent finalists’ announcement. The business world is full of talented and dedicated female entrepreneurs who not only run successful businesses […]
Law Commission Perceive E-Signatures As Legally Binding In Most Cases Except Wills
Electronic signatures are legal binding, including in situations where there is a statutory requirement for a signature. According to the Law Commission, electronic signatures can be used in most cases, including where there is a statutory requirement for a signature. This is not the case where the law or a relevant contract makes separate rules […]
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Running a business can be an incredible lonely business and getting business can be one of the hardest parts! Fortis Law are producing 400 qualified leads per week and we’re providing these to our partners. Our Partners are introducers or firms that have space in their diary, good product and technical knowledge and those that […]
Bereaved Families Are Struggling With Record High Funeral Debt
Research has found that families who struggle with funeral costs are taking on an average of £1,990 debt to pay for them, as the price of funerals increases again. Royal London have published a National Funeral Cost Index, and the data is concerning. It found that the total amount of funeral debt in the UK […]
