Probate practitioners should “give themselves a pat on the back” and recognise the extraordinary lengths they go to, to ensure that clients are dealt with compassionately and fairly, says Jacqueline Emmerson in a video for Today’s Wills & Probate.
As Managing Director of Newcastle and Sunderland- based Emmerson’s Solicitors, Jacqueline has seen first hand the often thankless work of probate practitioners up and down the country and is reaching out to provide support for all those involved.
“Over Covid it was very difficult for us all. I’m sure you’ve all had similar situations to me. Finding a doctor to certify a death, registering the death and organising a funeral, trying to find out whether or not there were prepaid funeral plans
“We had cases where we couldn’t access the deceased client house for 2 months; that was quite stressful”
Jacqueline goes on to talk about the impact of Covid-19 on other services;
“We’ve seen funeral directors in tears. I have been in tears myself with some of the houses we’ve had to deal with”
Jacqueline describes scenarios in which she has had to deal with hoarders houses, property at which clients have died and her staff have the been the first ones in, the challenges of dealing with wasps nests and rats and sewer flies.
In some cases the probate practitioner is dealing with all that is left of a family; paperwork, photographs, wedding and death certificates. There is sometimes simply nowhere to send the contents of these houses.
Reflecting on the pastoral role a practitioner often undertakes, Jacqueline says:
“To me it’s all about being compassionate. Making sure that you try and find family and friends to pass on the contents to, trying to provide an appropriate funeral
“Sometimes it falls on us to provide some background and history for people so they’re not simply forgotten.”
And particularly in this current time she says it’s important to support one another.
“Other people in your firm may not realise the emotional toll probate has. They don’t realise some of the practicalities like organising a skip to get rid of household items, donning the marigolds and clearing rotting food from the fridge.”
“How stressful and how lonely it can be, especially if there are only one or two of you in the firm dealing with probate. Doing what many relatives cannot, or will not do.”
“You should actually pat yourself on your back; we have done a good job, we have given people a good send off.”
Jacqueline’s final thoughts empathise with fellow professionals who receive correspondence from beneficiaries demanding to know when they will be in receipt of their inheritance.
Issuing a rallying cry to everyone to keep working compassionately Jacqueline offers her support.
“If you would like to reach out as a result of this video, please feel free, please join in, share experiences
“You’ve done really well during this pandemic and you’ve dealt with some extremely distressing circumstances, so well done!”
To share your experiences please contact the Today’s Wills & Probate media team on press@todayswillsandprobate.co.uk.
