Are you ready for the CMA’s new consumer protection rules?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published new consumer protection law guidance that is expected to come into effect April 2025. These changes will have a significant impact on businesses providing will writing, probate and legal services. Non-compliance could result in enforcement actions and severe penalties, including fines of up to 10% of business […]
Navigating complex estates: Real case studies and expert solutions
Estate administration isn’t always straightforward. From Trust complications to asset-rich, cash-poor estates, Personal Representatives must navigate legal and financial challenges while ensuring beneficiaries’ needs are met. As a specialist probate and estate administration provider, we are used to navigating complex estates. In this month’s webinar, our Legal Services Director Charlotte Toogood and Technical Manager Nigel […]
Free webinar: Vulnerable clients & financial abuse with Heledd Wyn
Did you know that 70% of UK practitioners, including Solicitors and those helping clients with estate and wealth planning, have observed instances of financial abuse or suspected financial abuse? With this in mind, Title Research has invited Heledd Wyn, Partner at Rothley Law Limited, to join them for a webinar to discuss the really important […]
SOS Legal and Linetime unite to enhance enterprise law firm solutions
Leading providers of legal practice management software, SOS Legal and Linetime, have recently joined forces, bringing together two of the legal technology industry’s most trusted providers under the single SOS brand. This move marks a new chapter in delivering innovative, efficient, and comprehensive legal technology solutions to enterprise law firms. By combining development expertise and […]
Inheritance tax receipts on course to hit new heights
Inheritance tax (IHT) contributed £7bn to the Treasury between April 2024 and January 2025, a rise of £700m on the corresponding period for the previous year. The rise has been attributed to the ongoing freeze in IHT thresholds, coupled with rising property and asset values, and wider inflationary pressures. Following last Autumn’s Budget, the Office […]
The Rules of Intestacy at 100 Years of Age
The intestacy rules in England and Wales, established under the Administration of Estates Act 1925, dictate who inherits when someone dies without a will. Now a century old, these rules remain largely unchanged despite major shifts in family structures. The Historical Context of Intestacy To understand why these rules exist, it’s worth looking back at […]
How an Unknown Life Insurance Policy Resulted in a Big Windfall for Charities
WSP Solicitors is an independent legal firm with offices in Stroud and Gloucester, serving Gloucestershire and beyond. The experienced team offer straightforward legal advice and have supported people and businesses for over 260 years. Bethany Wheadon is a Solicitor in WSP Solicitors’ private client department based in the Stroud office. She says: “When someone passes […]
It’s Time to Consider Digital Assets
Kingsley Bond is not just a typical law firm. Each department is spearheaded by experts who bring forward thinking precision to their roles. Ameer Buksh Consultant Solicitor at Kingsley Bond Solicitors explained: “We aim to be ahead of the curve. One area which is evolving rapidly is digital assets, including sentimental assets such as online […]
CALL FOR ENTRIES: STEP Private Client Awards
The STEP Private Client Awards are seen as the hallmark of quality within the private client industry. Open globally to both STEP members and non-members, these prestigious Awards recognise and celebrate excellence among private client practitioners worldwide. Why enter? Showcase your firm’s excellence and innovation to your peer group and clients Affiliate yourself with the […]
Are inheritance disputes on the rise? New blog from Kings Court Trust
With more than 10,000 contested Will cases reported each year and a 5% increase in court claims between 2023 and 2024, inheritance disputes are certainly on the rise. In today’s modern age, people typically own more assets and family structures have become more complex, all of which is likely contributing to the increase in disputes […]
Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance – Protection for Personal Representatives
Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance (MBI) protects Personal Representatives (PRs) from financial risk if a previously unknown or untraceable beneficiary comes forward after an estate has been distributed. This coverage is particularly important in intestacy cases, where the risk of missing heirs is higher. Ultimately, MBI provides PRs with financial security and a practical way to […]
Free webinar: When things don’t go to plan in estate administration
On Thursday 27 February at 12 pm, join Title Research’s Technical Manager Simon Barber as he talks through the estate administration timeline and how legal professionals and their clients can benefit from specialist support when things don’t go to plan. Key discussion points will include: What can be outsourced to a specialist Identifying assets in the UK […]
The Importance of Asset Discovery in Probate Cases
Irwin Mitchell LLP is a team of legal and financial experts with offices across the UK. Emma Spicer, Assistant Estate Administration Team Manager at Irwin Mitchell has over 24 years’ experience in Probate, dealing with all aspects of Estate Administration. Irwin Mitchell has lifestyle and estate planning experts throughout the country however, Emma works with […]
Free Resealed Grants webinar
The increasing complexity of estate administration, especially with assets spread across multiple jurisdictions, underscores the importance of understanding the process of resealing Grants. Join Kings Court Trust’s Legal Services Director, Charlotte Toogood, and Technical Manager, Nigel Merchant, on Wednesday 26 February at 12 pm as they discuss: What is a resealed Grant? Resealed Grant or […]
Estatesearch Launches Live Webinar Series to Support Legal Firms Elevate their Business and Win More Clients
Legal technology group Estatesearch has launched Open for Business – a new, free live webinar series to support legal firms elevate their businesses and win more clients. The monthly webinars will be delivered by industry experts and cover a range of pressing topics including compliance, working with vulnerable clients, technology, accounting, marketing and managing stress […]
Pensioner numbers predicted to rise by 14% by 2032
The number of people over state pension age is projected to increase from 12 million in 2022 to 13.7 million by 2032, according to figures released last month by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). This 14 per cent rise is predicted despite the UK state pension age rising to 67 from 2028. Meanwhile, the […]
Blog: An overview of Taper Relief
Title Research is pleased to feature a guest author for their latest blog post. Andrea Pierce, Owner of Andrea Pierce Probate Services, presents a case study illustrating the Taper Relief scale. She is a qualified Solicitor and Trust and Estate Practitioner (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners). Andrea has over 18 years of experience in […]
Relying on Estatesure’s Unoccupied Property Insurance
Jordan Rodwell, Solicitor in the Wills, Trusts & Probate Department at Fosters Solicitors in Norwich has used Estatesure’s unoccupied property insurance since its launch in 2024. Jordan Rodwell explains: “Previously on estate administration matters, we would have to contact several different insurance providers to obtain quotes to cover property no longer occupied by the deceased. […]
Insurance to Protect Legal Firms Working in Estate Administration
By Kevin Bonner, Estatesure Insurance Lead Q1) What was the driver to introduce a range of insurance services for legal firms working in estate administration? KB: “We were keen to protect our legal clients. Over the years, the modern family unit has changed and become more complex. Divorce is far more common these days and […]
Removing Obstacles in Estate Administration: What the Bereavement Index 2024 tells us
The estate administration process remains slow, complex, and difficult to scale—challenges that continue to frustrate legal professionals. Exizent’s Bereavement Index 2024 highlights just how widespread these issues are and where change is needed most. Among the findings: 94% of legal professionals say probate is slow and complicated—up from 76% in 2023. More than half of […]
