Probate court delays: Inquiry findings
The sudden announcement of the General Election abruptly halted the Justice Committee’s inquiry into the delays faced by users of the Probate Courts (HMCTS) in England and Wales. In a published letter, it was highlighted that the primary reasons for the collapse of the probate service were HMCTS’s failure to “understand the magnitude of the […]
Genealogy firm Finders sold to private equity
Genealogy business Finders International has been sold to private equity firm Pelican Capital in an undisclosed deal. The sale will see Managing Director Danny Curran step away from the business he founded 27 years ago, with current deputy MD Simonne Llewllyn stepping up to become Finders International’s first CEO. Since launching in 1997, Finders has […]
“We’re listening” say legacy managers
The Institute of Legacy Management (ILM), a membership and training body for those working in legacy teams across the charity sector, says it is ‘reassured’ by the response to a recent sentiment survey of probate practitioners, and reaffirmed its commitment to using feedback to shape future guidance for members. A readership survey conducted in conjunction […]
Andrew Houston takes reins at CTT Group as founders step back
Two ‘rugby chums’ who grew their will writing and financial services business into a multidisciplinary adviser support network are handing over the reins after over 20 years. Countrywide Tax and Trust Corporation was set up in 2003 by Clive Ponder and Bob Massey having spotted a gap in the market for an estate planning solution […]
SWW call for enhanced consumer protection in CMA draft guidance response
The Society of Will Writers Professional Standards Board has submitted their response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s consultation on draft guidance for unregulated legal services providers and have said that they are “concerned” that it does not go far enough in addressing the consumer protection issues. The CMA launched the consultation recently in response […]
EWHC rules in favour of claimant in high-value estate dispute
The England and Wales High Court (EWHC) has upheld Masudur Rahman’s claim that his friend, Al-Hasib Al Mahmood, transferred all his UK assets to him shortly before his death during a COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Al Mahmood, who had a UK estate valued at GBP 1.4 million, had previously made a will in 2015 bequeathing […]
The Estate Registry expands with acquisition of Settld
The Estate Registry has acquired Settld, the Sunderland-based death notification business designed to create a more consumer focused solution for those tasked with estate administration. The Estate Registry provides a range of technology services, including NotifyNOW, LegacyNOW, and InheritNOW, to assist consumers and organisations involved in estate administration. NotifyNOW is a pioneering digital platform that […]
Why don’t Lawyers like change?
As I write this blog, I am remembering a lovely quote from Kingsley Amis who said: “If you can’t annoy somebody with what you write, I think there’s little point in writing.” I have spent a lot of hours studying how to get people to change their behaviours and habits. Tech is only as good […]
