Toni is the Media Officer for Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills & Probate and Today’s Family Lawyer.
I worked for a law firm for 16 years, during my time at the firm I worked as a company commercial legal secretary for 7 years but changed careers and moved into marketing for the remaining 9 years – where I covered all aspects of marketing.
While in the marketing role, I achieved a CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing and CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing.
Sir Samuel Brittan, who is the brother of former home secretary Leon Brittan, has been cruelly swindled out of his life’s savings. An arrest warrant has been issued for the conwoman, Michelle Braithwaite, who stole
The finalists for the inaugural National Paralegal Awards have been announced. These brand-new awards are specifically aimed at recognising the achievements of Paralegals across the UK, law firms that develop Paralegals and recruitment companies who
Mumsnet, the UK’s biggest network for parents, has been a victim of a severe data breach which could put Will writing firms at risk. Do any of your employees at your firm have a Mumsnet
2019 is underway and is set to be a very busy year due to the uncertainties surrounding Brexit and the impact it will have on the industry as a whole. But what will be the
Ian Bond, Chair of The Law Society’s ‘Wills and Equity Committee’ and Director and Head of Trusts and Estates at Talbots Law, had a productive meeting with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) recently regarding the
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is implementing a new system, which alerts charities when money has been bequeathed, after ending their current arrangement. The reason behind terminating HMCTS’ current scheme with private firm, Smee
Leeds Building Society has officially launched their suite of ten-year retirement interest-only (RIO) mortgages and made some criteria changes to provide greater flexibility to senior borrowers. The new products include a free standard valuation and
At our recent fruitful Today’s Wills and Probate roundtable on 17th January at ICC International Convention Centre in Birmingham, delegates talked about the biggest challenges and opportunities in the coming year. Creator and host of
Legal mental health charity, LawCare has reported receiving their highest ever number of helpline calls from solicitors in 2018. An even more worrying statistic from the charity has revealed calls from solicitors complaining about bullying
Before 2018 came to an end the Government announced the proposed new probate fees which have certainly rattled professionals in the sector and will continue to do so in 2019. So, what will happen in
As 2018 is coming to an end, we can review and re-cap what has happened in the Wills and probate industry. There has been big changes in the past 12 months which will effect the
An expert has predicted that in only five years law firms will stop using emails to be replaced with a more secure means of communication. Cyber crime is happening all the time and becoming more
The Government’s announcement last month will see many families paying more in probate fees from April 2019. They claimed that fees are vital to funding an effective court and tribunals system and argued that increasing
A shocked family of a 91-year-old dementia sufferer who died months after secretly marrying a man 24 years her junior, are calling for a change in the law. Michael Blass and Sister Daphne Franks were
Stars dying without Wills is becoming all too common, but why, despite their fortune, are they putting their finances on the backburner, particularly if musicians’ estates can continue to accrue substantial revenue long after their
These brand-new awards will recognise and reward the achievements of Paralegals across the UK. There are 12 categories including Best Employment Paralegal, Best Local Authority Paralegal, Will Writing Organisation of the Year and Best Paralegal
Demand for legal skills across the UK increased sharply this year and law firms being ever busier will increasingly require the pick of a diverse pool of talented and skilled individuals in order that they
An ex-solicitor who pleaded guilty to theft and fraud offences against elderly clients has been given a suspended prison sentence. Based in Hove, Paul Arscott, stole nearly £110,000 from three elderly clients who suffered from
The impact of e-signatures and electronic instruction taking systems is changing the face of the Wills and Probate industry. According to a consultation paper from the Law Commission of England and Wales, electronic signing of
The ever-popular annual conferences hosted by The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) were once again a triumph amongst their members for providing key industry updates. STEP’s main events in 2018 kicked off with
A solicitor has been struck off after using money from an estate she was administering to invest in her own property which she then lived in – and also billed 68 hours for only one
The Co-op today announces its partnership with legal practice, McClure Solicitors, as it sets out to further expand its probate and estate planning services to thousands more people across Scotland. The partnership will further cement
New research carried out by IRN revealed that on average online Will providers are 77% cheaper than solicitors. However, it is forecasted that over the next five years the value of Wills and probate services
According to mystery shoppers, law firms are underperforming when dealing with clients remotely. The Client Journey Project 2018, which is now in its third year, was conducted earlier this year. It highlights a number of
A mother and her estranged son are at war over a family fortune. Pamela and Stephen Moore, are locked in a contentious courtroom battle over the 65-acre Grade II listed Manor Farmhouse and estate worth
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the global professional association for practitioners who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning, is delighted to announce that Mark Walley will be joining as its new Chief
Chancellor Philip Hammond potentially delivers the last budget before Britain leaves the European Union with an eye-watering £100 billion spend over 5 years. The spending taps are firmly back on again as Hammond says ‘the
A Will scribbled down on the back of a postcard has been found valid by the High Court of New Zealand. The informal Will was drafted by a frugal millionaire just days before she died.
A farmer’s son is in the middle of a bitter court row with his own parents for his right to inherit the family farm because he ‘doesn’t like cows’. Clive Shaw, 55, from New York,
Research conducted earlier this year by Atomik on behalf of Co-op revealed that 51% of UK adults are expecting an inheritance from someone they know. But a leading Wills provider has warned that these assumptions
Scottish politicians have fully supported a change in inheritance law after a jailed man, convicted of murdering his mum, is left in charge of her estate. Recently reported in the Press, Lorraine Taggart has endured
The Government is considering new rules to police the funeral industry after ‘ITV News Show UK’ revealed that consumers are spending billions of pounds for funerals before they pass away. In an ITV Tonight programme