Happy New Year from the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) and Institute of Scottish Professional Willwriters (ISPW). We hope that you have enjoyed a magical festive period and are ready to provide the best service for your valued customers in 2019.
2019 could be a huge year in the Wills and Estate Planning sector as all probate services and prices, charged by a licensed solicitor, need to be made transparent according to regulations that came into force on December 6th of last year.
Many have predicted that this could encourage all legal businesses to make their prices transparent in a bid to conform with regulated firms and avoid being left behind. So how do you differentiate yourself other than on price? Through your service offering, expertise and demonstration of knowledge and experience. The Institute is a well-respected organisation that prides itself on the expert understanding and unrivalled sector knowledge from its Members.
Although our entrance criteria is extremely robust, we also acknowledge the exacting qualifications that our prospective members may have obtained from other organisations. We therefore offer a wide range of entrance examination exemptions for experienced practitioners in Wills and Estate Planning who wish to become Institute Members.
If you have achieved any of the following qualifications and can demonstrate that you have relevant experience in Willwriting within the last three years, through a letter from a business partner, employee, colleague or accountant, then you may be exempt from any entrance examinations:
STEP
- Diploma in Trusts & Estates,
- Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation
- Advanced Certificate Administration of Estates
CILEx (England & Wales only)
- CILEx Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice and have completed either Elderly Client Practice or Probate Practice module
- CILEx Law of Wills and Succession
LPC
- Completion of the Wills and Administration of Estates module of the Legal Practice course. (England and Wales only).
Solicitor Route
Any solicitor with a current practising certificate from the Law Society, or a certificate that has lapsed within the last 6 months and is able to demonstrate experience in Willwriting over the past three years, can also become an Institute Member without completing the entrance examination.
Additionally, skilled Willwriters with at least 5 years of experience can “Fast Track” to Full membership by providing four diverse, recent cases they have completed (which will be assessed) to highlight their experience and proficiency.
Because the Institute understands that there are so many diverse and personalised ways people produce Wills, LPAs, POAs and Trusts etc, the Institute will also look at an individual’s circumstances on their own merit. If a person or business is able to comprehensively highlight their experience, examination exemption may be offered.
Dennis Gardener, Chairman of the IPW/ISPW, says: “We welcome working with other like-minded professionals, whether new starters to the Estate Planning field, people wanting to expand their business or those starting to take it easy and perhaps diversify.
“16 years ago, I was a Hotel Manager, now I look after 1 or 2 clients at a time rather than 2-400! My Job satisfaction has overwhelmingly improved.
“We are looking for reliable, ethical and competent new members who will embrace the ethos and help drive up professional standards.
“We welcome people with integrity and passion who want to go the extra mile and produce the best for their client. First and foremost, “Professional” is in the title and we try to never forget that!”
Start 2019 by making the wise and prudent decision of joining the organisation that represents the benchmark of quality and trust in Willwriting and Estate Planning. Click here to become a member of the IPW or ISPW.
