The legal realities behind lifetime and RIO Mortgages
As property wealth plays an increasingly important role in funding retirement plans, Sally Peake, residential property partner at Knights, explains why professionals in the world of financial advice, succession planning and residential property must work together to ensure clients are fully informed of the implications. With rising living costs and longer working lives, many […]
Double digit growth in disputed probate claims
The great wealth transfer is encouraging a rise in inheritance disputes, say professionals, as figures from the High Court show a double digit increase in the number of cases. More than 1,200 disputed probate cases were filed at the High Court in 2025 according to data from Solomonic; an increase of 13% year on year. […]
Six fundamental estate planning questions to navigate an increasingly complex landscape
Drawing on his own experience as CEO of Honey Legal, Alan Gardiner shares his thoughts on the six fundamental questions estate planning consultants should be exploring during client consultations. An increasingly complex estate planning landscape can be navigated more effectively by focusing on six fundamental questions during client consultations. The recent 2026 Private Client […]
UK legal services sector grew by 6.1% last year, with wills and probate worth £3.6bn
The UK legal services sector grew by 6.1% last year, according to the latest legal services market report from IRN Legal Reports. The total estimated value of the market last year was £55.5 billion, with wills and probate accounting for £3 billion – the fourth largest sector. The largest segment in the consumer legal services […]
Spotting red flags in estate administration – a checklist
This week, estate dispute specialist Nicola K Smith offers a checklist of red flags to look out for in estate administration and explains why swift action is better than a ‘wait and see’ approach. Not every estate ends up in a courtroom, but many come close. And often, the warning signs were there from […]
IRN Wills, Probate & Trusts Report finds fragmented and increasingly price-led market
The latest consumer research results from IRN Legal Reports paint a picture of a fragmented wills, trusts and probate market populated by various providers. Despite some consolidation and a growing share for leading players, unregulated will writers, online services and digital will templates occupy a large space in the sector, working alongside law firms and solicitors. […]
Interview: Steve Gauke, Provira
Today’s Wills and Probate sits down with Provira’s Managing Director Steve Gauke to discuss his time in the wills and probate sector. Steve shares his thoughts on the good, the bad and ugly of wills and probate TWP: What was your career path to your current role? SG: I’ve always been interested in business, […]
Firm finds £270,000 in ‘lost’ bank account during probate
A firm has uncovered £270,000 held in a previously unknown account during the administration of a probate estate, reuniting the money with their delighted clients. Elite Law Solicitors said the discovery was part of their estate administration services which offers ‘comprehensive advice to clients’ including recommending additional tools and services outside of their scope. The […]
Supreme Court judgment impacts on future tax and estate planning
The Supreme Court’s recent decision on Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26 on 2 July 2025 has garnered much interest not only from the UK press but also tax advisers and estate planners for its implications on future wealth planning, in particular in relation to pre-marital assets and inheritances. Whilst the case arose from the […]
Standish v Standish – how a landmark separation shows the importance of collaboration and fairness
The Supreme Court’s decision in Standish v Standish brings long-awaited clarity to the treatment of non-matrimonial assets on divorce – welcome news for family lawyers, tax advisers, and estate planners. How did we get here? Mr Standish entered the marriage with substantial pre-acquired wealth. In 2017, following estate and tax planning advice, he transferred investments worth £77.8 […]
Firm writes to Chancellor over ‘alarming’ Bona Vacantia fraud
A southern-based law firm has played its part in identifying and highlighting the disturbing pattern of estate fraud using forged wills, working with the BBC on the recently released “The Grave Robbers” podcast series which started on 9th July. Parfitt Cresswell acted as Attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney for a recently deceased intestate […]
Almost half millennials say they don’t have a retirement plan in place
A survey of preparedness for retirement by Legal and General suggests almost half of millennials don’t have a retirement plan in place; while at the other end of the spectrum only one in five baby boomers regard leaving an inheritance as a top five retirement priority. Despite this, more than three in five millennials (62%) […]
Top 10 things people would do with an inheritance
A survey has revealed the top things people who leave an inheritance say they would like the beneficiaries to do with it, with savings and housing prominent in the results. More than one in five people say if they leave an inheritance, they’d like their family to put at least some of it into savings […]
Ombudsman to publish more examples of complaints failings in drive for greater transparency
Efforts to help the legal sector better understand the role of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) and provide insight into their decisions are to be redoubled under a ‘renewed commitment to using statutory powers to publish final decisions where it is in the public interest to do so.’ The Legal Ombudsman, established in the wake of […]
Modernisation now in the hands of the profession – Law Commission
The modernisation of wills law is in the hands of the profession who should build on the momentum of the Law Commission’s report to ensure the proposals make their way into statute. In a presentation at TWP Festival the Law Commission’s Elizabeth Welch said that, if the profession agreed with the Law Commission’s bill and […]
Taking a strategic approach to probate delays
As solicitors will be all too aware, delays in the probate process can have profound effects on both the estate and its beneficiaries. These delays have become a significant concern for both solicitors and their clients. Recent data reported in Today’s Wills and Probate suggested that the number of probate cases taking over a year […]
‘Reverse mentoring’ toolkit promotes diversity within legal profession
A ‘reverse mentoring’ toolkit developed by LawCare and the University of Leeds aims to help law firms and legal organisations become more inclusive, supportive and fair places to work. The term refers to junior employees or people from under-represented backgrounds mentoring more senior colleagues to share lived experiences and challenge traditional hierarchies. ‘This approach helps […]
Red line for firms who make themselves executors of wills in new ratings system
A consumer awareness and comparison website has launched what is describes as independent ratings for online will writing services to tackle ‘growing concerns that the rise in DIY wills could lead to future disputes or even render wills invalid;’ levelling criticism at industry practices including Fairer Finance has launched a new set of product ratings for […]
In the age of AI and rising costs, NALP says paralegals are more relevant than ever
Today’s Media spoke to Amanda Hamilton, director and patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), about the evolving role of the paralegal and NALP’s role in the profession’s voluntary self-regulation. A recent survey measuring public perception of AI in the legal sector found that the public isn’t yet ready to fully trust the technology in […]
What celebrity wills teach us about getting it wrong
From Prince and Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse, when fame meets estate planning failure, the lessons can be far-reaching. When there’s no will: what happens when you leave it to the law? In 2016, legendary musician Prince died unexpectedly at the age of 57 from a fentanyl overdose. Despite amassing an estate valued at $156 […]