What do 250,000 wills tell us about private practice in 2026?
The latest Today’s Wills & Probate Podcast looks at what can be understood from analysis of over 250,000 Wills and what clients really want. The data is drawn from LEAP Estates’ comprehensive 2026 Private Client Industry Report which also looks at close to 200,000 LPAs to inform a profession responding to shifting demographics and rising […]
Brand came 13th: What 1,000 consumers actually told us about how the choose a law firm
Sam Borrett, founder of Legmark, ran a survey of 1,000 UK adults to find out how people really pick a law firm and what’s important to them when choosing. The results are uncomfortable reading for anyone whose marketing strategy leans on heritage, awards or a sleek brand, and quietly hopeful for everyone else. I’ve spent […]
‘Bad lawyers’ blamed for rise in probate disputes
An “increasing number of bad lawyers” are contributing to a consistent and accelerating increase in contentious probate activity identified by a freedom of information request to the Probate Registry. An analysis by Birketts LLP has revealed 11,328 caveats were filed in 2025 – a figure which has risen steadily since 2010. The reasons behind the […]
Are you invisible to AI? What law firms need to know about the new client journey
AI results have replaced the front page of Google in the quest for online visibility. Damian Reed, head of brand and marketing at QualitySolicitors, explains how to get noticed. Something is changing in the way people find a solicitor and most firms haven’t noticed yet. Not long ago, a potential client looking for legal […]
Understanding complaints and early resolution opportunities
The latest episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate podcast welcomes Senior Ombudsman at the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) Clair Daniel to explore the current landscape of legal complaints handling, the challenges facing firms, and the strategic work underway to improve first‑tier resolution across the legal sector. The backdrop to the discussion is the increase in […]
Digital assets and estate planning: The growing challenge of cryptocurrency
Robert Webster, partner at Maguire Family Law, explores the growing challenge digital assets present in estate planning, and shares advice for private client practitioners. Digital assets are becoming an increasingly significant component of personal wealth, yet they present estate planners with risks that differ fundamentally from traditional property. Cryptocurrency in particular poses unique challenges. […]
Care now, fight later: Why the sandwich generation faces future inheritance disputes
Britain’s ‘sandwich generation’ (adults in their 40s to 60s) are so-called because they are increasingly funding their parents’ care costs while still supporting their own children. New research from Killik & Co indicates that this generation now diverts around 44% of their monthly income towards the care and support of their parents. Judith Swinhoe-Standen and Rose-Marie Sage […]
The future of technology in wills and probate
From lawyer, to Microsoft and Meta, and now to Arken.legal, Anthony Philips legal journey takes him through a series of household technology names and halfway round the world before recently landing as CEO at the will writing and technology platform. In this wide-ranging discussion, Philips shares his reflections on his own journye, and that of […]
Probate and POCA: Why ‘Does this make sense?’ matters more than ever
Self-confessed AML geek Kayleigh Smale explains the importance of the Proceeds of Crime Act for probate practitioners and shares tips on staying compliant. Section 328 of the Proceeds of Crime Act is often associated with transactional work, but it has a very real application in probate. It creates an offence where a person enters […]
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
A deeply personal tragedy is the inspiration behind a new book launched by will writer Steve Bish, and the topic of discussion on the latest Today’s Wills and Probate podcast. Bish is somewhat typical of many will writers who have unconventional routes in to the legal profession. His own career began in sales, marketing, training […]
Profile: Stephen Lawson, co-chair of the Law Society’s Private Client and Estates Committee and solicitor
Stephen Lawson is a specialist contentious probate practitioner at IDR Law Limited and co-chair of the Law Society’s Private Client and Estates Committee. He is a member of both STEP and ACTAPS. He is the joint author of the book Testamentary Capacity, with Professor Robin Jacoby and Martyn Frost. What was your career path […]
Why law firms are losing enquiries even with strong rankings
Are your online enquiries in free-fall despite your website showing at the top of page one on Google? Damian Reed, head of brand and marketing at QualitySolicitors, explains why AI is to blame – and what you can do about it. So, your firm is sitting comfortably at the top of Google, but suddenly, […]
The pensions IHT grenade
Pension funds and death benefits will soon be pulled into the scope of IHT. Nina Cherry, wealth consultant at Simplify Consulting, explains what this means for providers and advisers. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and death benefits will be pulled into the scope of inheritance tax (IHT) purposes. This means that the […]
Profile: Caroline Alexander, partner at Birketts LLP
As a partner in the Private Client Advisory team at Birketts LLP, Caroline advises a wide range of private clients and charities on matters to do with estate administrations, the mitigation of inheritance tax and executors’ duties. She especially enjoys dealing with estates with complex or unusual elements. What was your career path to your […]
On a mission…
The latest episode of Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast welcomes Angus Houston, founding director of Pavilion Row, in conversation with host David Opie. Angus shares the story behind Pavilion Row’s creation and its mission to support professionals working in wills and probate. He reflects on the early challenges of establishing a business in such a […]
Coins, promises and breast implants: What counts as ‘something more’ in adult child inheritance claims?
A run of recent cases has seen adult children increasingly succeed in inheritance claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. From commemorative coins to cosmetic surgery and family estrangement, Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu, contentious trusts and probate partner at Aaron & Partners, examines what courts now consider to be “something more” when deciding […]
Profile: Judith Swinhoe-Standen, trust and probate litigation associate at Stewarts
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 trust restructuring. She also handles matters in the Court of Protection involving those who lack capacity and has acted on […]
Profile: John-Paul Dennis, partner and divisional director of private client at Jackson Lees
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 and has been specialising in this area ever since. Much of John-Paul’s work involves advising family business owners (agricultural and […]
My dementia diagnosis – Alastair Stewart OBE
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 wills and probate lawyers. “Be prepared, because the person who turns up might be that bloke who used to read […]
Why the rising cost of funerals is forcing Britain to rethink how we say goodbye
Peter Shuttleworth, general manager at direct cremation provider Celebration of Life, shares “the uncomfortable truths” about funeral affordability and calls for an honest conversation about alternatives. Death is the one certainty we all share, yet the experience of saying goodbye is becoming increasingly unequal. The latest Cost of Funerals research should stop us in our […]