Certainty Expert Webinar: Construction and Rectification of Wills
The National Will Register are pleased to welcome Mark Baxter, Barrister at 5 Stone Buildings who will be presenting our upcoming Certainty Expert Webinar on Thursday 25th February 2021 at 12.00pm, titled ‘Construction and Rectification of Wills’. The need for the court to construe Wills and trust shows no signs of slowing down; indeed, construction […]
Legal firms among the best performers in call waiting time survey
Legal companies are among the best performing businesses for customer care and low call waiting times, according to new research. The survey of 1000 people by leading outsourced comms company Moneypenny revealed that just 6% of survey respondents feel legal firms have poor call handling times – compared with utility companies (33%) doctors (27%), banks […]
What can WillSuite bring to your boardroom table?
As a leading provider of legal tech WillSuite enables you to draft legally compliant documents which don’t confuse and bemuse your clients. As a software provider responsible for the operations of hundreds of firms we take our responsibility seriously. Here is how our software solution will benefit your business: Compliance Would you like to be […]
Movers and Shakers – 15 February 2021
Here at Today’s Wills and Probate, we wanted to share with you the good news we’ve had within in the industry of professionals joining firms and those who have moved up the promotional ladder. This week we’ve seen the following announcements with regards to appointments and promotions: Henrietta Mason, a specialist in trust and probate […]
Historic moment as Pension Schemes Bill received Royal Assent
It was a historic turning point for UK Pensions as Bill receives Royal Assent recently. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) called it ‘The biggest shake-up of UK pensions for decades….’ when confirming the Pension Schemes Bill received Royal Assent. The Bill, now an Act, ‘will bolster protections for savers and further the government’s green […]
Lost Will made over thirty years ago is easily located thanks to a Certainty Will Search
It is not uncommon for clients that have written Wills with a firm to move house and relocate to other parts of the country. Due to these circumstances and the passage of time, clients may forget where their Will is stored or lose the copy of their Will, making it increasingly difficult for their loved […]
Post-pandemic contentious probate claims on the rise
With the worldwide pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, we have seen a marked increase in the number of claims being brought against estates and in particular, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Families and Dependants) Act 1975. These claims involve eligible applicants who argue; they have not received reasonable financial provision from an estate or intestacy, […]
Entries are now open for the British Wills and Probate Awards
Yesterday we broke the news that the British Wills and Probate Awards were back for a fourth year. Now we’re pleased to announce that nomination entries are now open. The exclusive awards seek to discover and recognise outstanding achievements, highlights progressions and champions innovations amongst firms and individual private professionals across the Wills and Probate […]
How can your firm manage risk and compliance in an increasingly digital world?
As law firms continue to adopt digital ways of working very quickly as a result of the rise in remote working; it seems likely that some of these changes in working practices are likely to be here for the long term. Some staff will be considering whether they’d like to work from home more even […]
Remote hearings don’t always run smoothly
The coronavirus pandemic has helped the legal sector to adapt and adopt technology at a quicker pace than usually perhaps it would. Although remote/virtual hearings were heard of, they may not have been used as regularly as now. However, just because virtual hearings are more common place now, doesn’t mean we should become complacent. Recently, […]
Technology in the Wills & Probate Sector
The Probate sector has historically leant more towards traditional processes and practices as its preferred method of operation. However, 2020 certainly shook things up and, I think it is fair to say, we all now know that technology is the key to thriving in the future. This article looks at some of the tech your […]
Using technology to retain your competitive edge
Charlotte Ponder TEP, Legal Director for Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation, has shared her view on technology with the Today’s Wills and Probate readers. In the legal sector, competition and client expectations have risen dramatically. Clients expect more, and have an increasing number of options as to where to take their business. In order to […]
Do you know the top ten cyber attack reasons?
A new year is widely seen as the chance for a new start; time to look at your priorities with a fresh perspective and vigor. This new year has started very differently for all of us. Many won’t head into the office as we once would, and this brings with it it’s very own set […]
Knowing your client – Risk, Capacity & Identity in Virtual Instruction Taking
With the government restrictions showing no sign of abating, clients are continuing to embrace the world of conducting both business and pleasure via Zoom, Facetime, and Google Meet (other video conferencing facilities are available). There’s been a lot of talk about the ‘new normal,’ but the more likely it becomes that the way we live […]
Ian Bond joins Arken.legal (UK) Ltd’s Legal Advisory Board
Thursfields Solicitors’ Director and Head of Wills & Estates, Ian Bond, has joined the Legal Advisory Board of estate planning software specialist, Arken.legal. Founded by private client solicitors in 1992, legal expertise remains the backbone of Arken.legal’s estate planning solutions – from conception to ongoing development. The Legal Advisory Board continues this important involvement, consisting […]
The National Will Register joins The Professional Deputies Forum Directory
The National Will Register is proud to announce that we are now listed in The Professional Deputies Forum’s Directory. The Professional Deputies forum is the representative body for professional deputies. Last year The National Will Register embarked on a campaign to raise awareness to panel deputies and professional deputies about the important role that The […]
TSF’s solution to probate delays for struggling dependants
Probate delays are now so bad that registries are only responding to questions about applications they’ve had for eight weeks. This is according to a senior associate at Wilsons, a private wealth law firm. It’s been widely reported that the pandemic has caused delays, with offices having to close their doors for much of the […]
Solutions to issues with MyHMCTS
Gill Steele has shared some of her solutions with regards to regular issues practitioners are having with the MyHMCTS system. Taking to LinkedIn, she wrote: “Many of you have experienced difficulties logging on to HMCTS for the online probate application. Did you know that the best browser to use is Chrome or Firefox. Do NOT […]
Save the date for The British Wills and Probate Awards 2021
We are giddy to announce that the British Wills and Probate Awards are returning for a fabulous fourth year! Following on from a successful virtual event held last year, we wanted to share with you the date for this year’s event so you could pencil it into your diary. That date for this year’s ceremony […]
Digital Transformation in the Estate Planning Sector
Tom Stansfield from Willsuite, shares his views on technology in the wills and probate sector. Over the last 30 years, the estate planning sector has transformed. We have seen the emergence of the ‘unregulated sector’, including two self-regulatory bodies as well as the traditional high street solicitor evolving too. Technology plays a more prominent role […]
