Probate solicitors demand major overhaul of probate and inheritance process that is failing consumers
Probate intermediaries believe their clients are being treated unfairly by the system and are poorly served by the processes and platforms designed to help them, according to The Estate Registry. They stated that reform is now urgently needed, with a call for the banks, energy firms and other service providers to have more dedicated bereavement […]
Key insights into training gaps and needs in legacy sector revealed
Legacy Futures has released findings from its recent training survey, shedding light on the challenges and needs of professionals in legacy and in-memory fundraising. The survey, conducted as part of Legacy Futures’ ongoing commitment to supporting the charity sector, follows on from their Recruitment and Retention Report published in 2024, and highlights significant knowledge gaps […]
Co-op Legal Services achieves record growth in 2024
Co-op Legal Services has delivered continued growth during 2024, while holding prices on its services for members and clients. The member-owned organisation achieved strong volume growth in 2024, with revenue up almost a quarter (24%) to £84 million and increased underlying operating profit at £27 million. Co-op Legal Services’ estate planning arm had […]
Assisted dying bill passes final reading in Isle of Man
After a two-year battle, Dr Alex Allinson’s, a former GP turned politician, assisted dying bill passed its final reading last week. The law, expected to take effect by 2027, will make the Isle of Man the first place in the British Isles to allow terminally ill patients with less than 12 months to live to […]
Hull funeral director charged with 64 offences after police recover 35 bodies
A man has been charged with 64 offences following a major police investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, where authorities discovered 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes, as reported by The BBC. Robert Bush, 47, formerly of Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire, faces 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial, 30 […]
Its not all about the Wills Bill 2025
Approximately 42% of marriages in England & Wales end in divorce, based on recent statistics from the ONS. For civil partnerships, the dissolution rate is marginally lower. This means that those marriages and civil partnership that don’t end in divorce, annulment or dissolution end with the death of one of the parties. In short, once […]
Strategically navigating a consolidating estate planning market
Arken Group CEO Dave Newick joins the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast to discuss the output of a recent report published by Arken looking at the current landscape of the private client sector. The podcast focuses on three key discussion points borne out of the report; law firms and professionals need to be; better at […]
Will Disputes Involving Autistic Individuals: Legal Considerations for Practitioners
More than one in 100 people in the United Kingdom are autistic, with an estimated population of over 700,000 autistic adults and children. Given this significant demographic, it is increasingly likely that legal professionals practising in the field of Wills, Trusts and Probate will encounter cases where autism is a material factor – either in […]
Spot the Signs
STEP has launched a public-facing campaign ‘Spot the Signs’ to raise the public’s awareness of the signs of financial abuse. Given its importance to our members, mental capacity remains one of STEP’s Thought Leadership priority areas. With global ageing populations, and dementia cases predicted to triple by 2050, the number of vulnerable people, and associated […]
Charitable gifts in wills most prevalent among younger will-makers
Our latest consumer tracking research is out today, revealing some fascinating insights into the latest Will-writing and legacy giving market trends. Here, we summarise some headline findings that could be of interest to you as solicitors, Will-writers and other professional advisers. Key findings For 15 years, we’ve been tracking public attitudes to charitable Will-writing from […]
