Today’s Wills & Probate would like to welcome our new partner, Central Law Training (CLT), who this week discuss why professional training is inregral for your business.
Whether you are a solicitor, a will writer, a probate practitioner or otherwise involved with the provision of legal advice to private clients, the importance of excellent training cannot be dismissed. In a busy workplace with clients to meet, a phone that doesn’t stop ringing and an inbox which is always full, training may not seem a priority. However, these days, there is a range of training options, including virtual ones, to suit all requirements. Those already converted will know that a good piece of training can lead to increased productivity and confidence meaning time spent training is time well spent. The key, of course, is finding the right training delivered by inspiring and knowledgeable speakers.
Over the past couple of years, the private client arena has seen many changes. New legislation has been introduced in the form of the Care Act 2014 and the Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014. This summer’s budget also includes changes, such as a phase in of an extra inheritance tax allowance on the family home from April 2017, which may affect the advice you give to your private clients. Lasting Powers of Attorney forms have been changed. Pensions, already a complicated area, have undergone further changes this year. The EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) comes into force in August 2015 with potential implications for clients with overseas assets even though the UK has opted out of implementation. Case law continues to develop the advice given in relation to deprivation of liberty cases. Going forwards, digital assets are likely to assume an increasingly prominent position in society and advisers need to be prepared to answer questions relating to how these can be left to loved ones and advise of the dangers to executors of offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
However, it is not just new changes that provide training opportunities. Will drafting is fraught with potential difficulties. What may seem like a straightforward will instruction may turn out to raise questions of capacity or have tax implications not obvious initially. A good will drafting course will give those involved in will drafting, the confidence to not only spot potential areas of difficulty, but the tools to address these. The probate procedure may also seem quite straightforward but again, problems can arise throughout the administration and in this age of willingness to litigate, contentious probates are not uncommon. A useful probate course will give advice about the handling of an estate in a cost efficient manner without compromising client service. Those dealing with the Court of Protection will benefit from training which gives skills necessary to tackle the range of applications that may be required.
At CLT, we provide relevant and up to date training by way of webinars, courses and conferences. Our speakers consistently receive fantastic feedback and many are praised for their approachability and willingness to answer questions and share experiences. We have a wide range of topics on our private client programme and add to these as legislation and practice change. We are always open to feedback and develop our programme in line with comments from our delegates. Please do visit our website http://www.clt.co.uk/ and see if CLT can meet your training requirements.
