Blanchards attended the Today’s Wills and Probate Festival 2.0 in June. The event provided a great opportunity to network with partners and businesses from across the legal industry. Throughout the day, we interacted with an AI‑powered graffiti wall that transformed our brand, listened to some interesting emerging topics, and kept cool with refreshing ice cream.
The festival started with sessions spread across different speakers. These speakers offered new insights and rising challenges within the legal sector. A session on managing client complaints highlighted points from growing legal pressures and client expectations. There are currently around 781,000 stepfamilies across the UK. As modern families become more complex and living arrangements more varied, probate is increasingly slow and difficult to navigate.
So how can the sector adapt to these shifting expectations? Early tracing and tree verification can assist solicitors by identifying and confirming heirs. In cases when there is no valid will or where beneficiaries are unknown it can be difficult to determine who should inherit the estate. Blanchards can locate missing heirs or verify existing genealogical research to support the administration of an estate.
Wills and probate are often handled during an emotional period of bereavement. The probate landscape is changing as there are more contested wills and a greater focus on modern family structures. Gathering supporting evidence early can reduce client complaints at the earliest possible opportunity resulting in the probate process being progressed more efficiently.
Another speaker explored the next generation’s digital behaviour and how businesses can adapt. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become widely adopted in recent years and is changing the way people search for information and interact with businesses. While AI can provide general responses, it cannot replace human connection. Research shows that 54% of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) prefer meaningful connections with the brands and professionals they interact with. Solicitors managing probate cases understand that the process can be overwhelming for clients. During this time people value empathy and reassurance when sharing personal information.
Legal practitioners can strengthen client relationships by being transparent about how evidence is gathered and how conclusions are reached. Verifying beneficiaries can reduce the risk of disputes or legal challenges by ensuring family relationships are accurately confirmed. Individuals relying solely on internet sources and online records may have inaccurate information. Blanchards family tree verification can provide reassurance that the estate is being administered correctly.
Blanchards’ legal sector team had a fantastic time at the TWP Festival. The event provided valuable insights into evolving client expectations and interactions. We look forward to incorporating them into our business to further enhance the client experience. We would like to thank Today’s Wills and Probate for hosting the event and we look forward to attending future events.
