Premier Solicitors has cemented its position as the UK’s second largest probate provider with the acquisition of four firms. The strategic move strengthens the Bedford-based firm’s market-leading status as a probate provider, second only to
Four law firm leaders have come together to form a network which aims to bring ambitious women together to connect, share insight and support each other. Female Leaders Network has been described by its co-founders
As an associate in the Trust and Probate Litigation team at Stewarts, Judith Swinhoe-Standen advises beneficiaries, trustees and personal representatives on a variety of trust and succession disputes, from Inheritance Act claims to complex international
A Sheffield law firm and its subsidiaries appear to have ceased trading, with notices placed on office doors and former employees taking to social media to advise of their availability for work. In a widely
Lancashire firm Napthens has strengthened its private client department with the appointment of Rosemary Johns as legal director in the wills, trusts and probate team. Johns (pictured left) joins Napthens from Birchall Blackburn Law, bringing
The Professional Probate Partnership (PPP) will stage its first CPD practice and development event in Leeds tomorrow (Tuesday), following a series of successful events in Birmingham, London and Bristol last year. The event, which will
This Thursday, LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector, is running a free webinar offering practical ways to cope with anxiety. The webinar is being staged as part of Time to Talk Day
Personal representatives (PRs) are increasingly unaware of the full impact of changes to rules around inheritance tax, which will place greater responsibilities and liabilities on them at a time of bereavement, a report from the
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has criticised the response of regulators to the questions raised by Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, and the potential impact of the case on litigation work conducted by unqualified
The will of a father who effectively disinherited two of his three children has successfully been challenged in court, after the circumstances surrounding its drafting and witnessing were considered “highly suspicious”. Laxmikant Patel died in
In the third part of our exclusive look at estate planner Steve Bish’s story, he explains why you should never put your life in the hands of a robot. An estate planner who went from
New research from Compare the Market claims that one in eight people have named ‘chosen family’ as their life insurance beneficiaries. The brand surveyed UK adults to understand how traditional assumptions around family, inheritance and
Female-led law firm Smith & Co has strengthened its presence across Suffolk with the incorporation of Adept Legal, bringing the two teams together to enhance legal services across the region. Adept Legal will now fall
An analysis of Companies House data has revealed a quarter of new businesses in the legal services sector fail to make it past their first five years. Witan Solicitors examined the number of businesses in
Winckworth Sherwood has appointed Charlie Hancock as private wealth and tax partner to strengthen its private client team. Hancock has been named as a rising star by the Legal 500 and praised for his expertise
After completing a law degree at Wolverhampton University and the Legal Practice Course at Liverpool John Moores University, John-Paul Dennis qualified as a solicitor in 2006. He joined a firm to practice private client law
Two executors have been removed and ordered to pay costs after the High Court found that lengthy delays in the administration of an estate amounted to misconduct and seriously unreasonable behaviour. Anne Elizabeth Helme and
The changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) offer a “clear deadline for succession planning” ahead of the new £2.5 million cap which comes into effect on 6th April, estate planning
Two senior executives involved in the collapse of Safe Hands Plans, the prepaid funeral business which went into administration in 2022 leaving 46,000 plan holders owed an estimated £70.6 million, have been charged with conspiracy
South east law firm Parfitt Cresswell has thrown its weight behind several genealogy firms who have questioned the wisdom of the Government Legal Department’s decision to republish the Bona Vacantia, the unclaimed estates list taken
Today’s Wills and Probate’s podcast host David Opie spoke to veteran broadcaster Alastair Stewart OBE, who, in a frank discussion, shares his experiences of living with dementia and highlights the importance of dementia awareness for
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is encouraging wills and probate lawyers and legal professionals to report concerns about attorneys or deputies who may not be acting in the best interest of the person
After a career in management consulting, Nicola founded her own will writing practice in 2019 after a personal loss. Her company has grown into a well-respected local business, with a community focus. She won the
Law firm Winckworth Sherwood has announced the appointment of private wealth and tax partner Arcangelo D’Apolito. A dual qualified English and Italian lawyer, D’Apolito joins the firm from the UK practice of Italian law firm,
Leicester-based Bright Legal Solicitors and W&P Legal of Lincolnshire have announced a strategic collaboration designed to provide clients with a broad and more integrated range of legal services across England and Wales. Bright Legal Solicitors,
Specialist wills and probate practice Strategic Asset Protection (SAP) is marking its 10-year anniversary with an expansion into corporate trustee and trust bank account services. The development represents a major milestone in the Chesterfield firm’s
Two solicitors from Gamlins Law have been appointed as panel deputies by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Ron Davison, managing partner, and director Dafydd Roberts will significantly strengthen local access to specialist support
The Government Legal Department (GLD) has confirmed the reinstatement of the Bona Vacantia list with restricted access to data, following the allegations of its use by criminals to claim the estates of those with no
A sister being sued by her brother for a share of their mother’s £5 million estate admits she exceeded her authority under power of attorney when she “plundered” her mother’s bank account, but denies doing
In December, we shared an extract from a poignant new book written by an estate planner whose career began far from the world of wills. In ‘Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way’, Steve tells
Pension schemes will need to publish clear data on their performance, costs and quality of service, under proposals announced this month by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and
Talitha Shandley has been a solicitor in the Private Client team at Bell Lamb & Joynson solicitors since 2025, after joining the firm in 2022. She advises clients on wills, trust, powers of attorney, and