The Importance of Will Searches
Herrington Carmichael LLP is a full-service law firm based in Farnborough, Hampshire. The 30-strong private wealth and inheritance team offer a wide range of services, beyond that of a traditional private client law firm to meet the demands of UK and international clients. Herrington Carmichael’s goal is to provide support to clients and their families […]
Health Check Survey: Maximising Legal Efficiency with Targeting Insights
In SOS’ commitment to support client success and optimise the value of our software, we recently introduced Health Check Surveys to our clients as a targeted assessment tool. Designed and managed by our Client Success Consultants, these surveys aim to identify how well firms engage with our software and highlight areas where training or system […]
Estate administration explained
We understand that the task of administering someone’s estate after their passing can be a confusing and complicated process, especially whilst dealing with the death of a loved one or friend. Being given this responsibility is often a testament to the trust and close relationship you may have had with someone who’s passed away. It’s […]
Introducing the autumn 2024 edition of Entitlement
The Autumn 2024 edition of Title Research’s news digest, Entitlement, is now available. Entitlement is our industry focused magazine aimed at Solicitors and legal professionals. Our autumn edition is out now. This quarter we feature the following: Heledd Wyn, a respected legal industry expert, takes us through the thorny issue of mental capacity and vulnerability, […]
Cross-border estates between Spain and the UK including FAQ’s
By Roser Coll, Partner at Temis & Co This article aims to provide a useful overview of dealing with estates that contain both Spanish and UK assets and answer frequently asked questions. What are the required documents to execute inheritance in Spain? In addition to the death certificate, other paperwork required for executing inheritance in […]
Autumn Budget 2024: Summary for legal professionals
The autumn 2024 Budget has introduced significant tax and regulatory changes, setting the stage for considerable impacts on estate administration. Following months of speculation, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has outlined new fiscal measures aimed at stabilising public finances and raising revenue. This blog unpacks these changes and explores how they might affect estate administration and planning, […]
Asset Discovery for High Net Worth Individuals
Legal specialists, Foot Anstey LLP provide commercially-savvy, expert legal advice that is easily integrated and actionable in clients’ worlds. Shaun Thomas, Managing Associate is a key part of Foot Anstey’s UK Succession and Tax team. Shaun has a specialist interest in cross-border estates and to date has worked on matters spanning across around 40 jurisdictions. […]
Celebrating Oliver & Co Solicitors – 2024 Customer Service Champions
In celebration of Oliver & Co Solicitors winning the Customer Service Champion Award at the British Wills and Probate Awards 2024, we sat down with Danielle Williams, Private Client Solicitor at Oliver & Co Solicitors, to discuss their approach to exceptional client service and the unique practices that helped them achieve this distinguished honour. Congratulations […]
Power to the Digital people
By Phil Hickson – SVP, Global Partnerships at The Estate Registry There was some very interesting research recently published regarding Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) by Hargreaves Lansdown, the financial advisers. In a Freedom of Information Request made to the Office of the Public Guardian, there were no fewer than 1,370,546 applications received in the […]
What the Autumn Budget 2024 means for estate administration
Following a summer of political change and a new Labour Government, the Autumn Statement by the UK’s first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, brought forward long-anticipated updates to taxes, minimum wage and business reliefs. Mrs Reeves first started by saying that her plan is to “restore stability of public finances and rebuild public services” and made […]
The impact of a U.S. Government shutdown on asset repatriation
As Title Research handles asset repatriation in North America, the efficiency and timing of our cases often depend on cooperation with U.S. government agencies. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in particular, plays a critical role, as we regularly submit applications for Federal Transfer Certificates ( Form 5173 ) for estates containing U.S. assets – this […]
Update on probate delays and how to avoid a stopped application
Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging experience, and for many families in the UK, this is compounded by delays in the probate process. In 2024, Personal Representatives (PRs) are increasingly facing extended waiting periods to distribute estates, which has brought new financial and emotional stress. Here’s what you need to know if you […]
Insuristic Launches ‘Unoccupied Care Pro’ to Simplify Unoccupied Property Insurance for Solicitors
Insuristic, a specialist in unoccupied property insurance, has announced the launch of ‘Unoccupied Care Pro’, an inspection-free insurance policy designed for solicitors acting as attorneys and deputies to insure empty properties while the owner is in care. Rob Faulkner, CEO of Insuristic, explained, “After the success of Probate Pro, we identified an opportunity to support […]
How AI is Transforming Billing Models and Client Relationships in Law Firms
The legal industry is undergoing a huge shift, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). While much of the focus has been on AI’s ability to enhance operational efficiency, its impact on billing practices and client relationships is equally transformative. In a sector long-dominated by traditional hourly billing, AI offers a path to new, outcome-based […]
Creating a Dementia-Friendly Workforce: 27 New Dementia Friends in a Day!
At Anglia Research, we’re proud to put our clients at the heart of everything we do. Recognising that each client’s needs are unique, we recently took a meaningful step to deepen our understanding of dementia by participating in Dementia Friends Information Sessions. The outcome? 27 of our client-facing team members are now certified “Dementia Friends,” […]
Almost 40 million people have not written a will
Almost 40 million people (around 70 per cent of UK adults) have not written a will, according to a recent survey. The research, commissioned by Co-Op Legal Services, found that more than half of those without a will (51 per cent) said they had not yet got round to making one, while one fifth (19 […]
Is it time to revisit the bereavement standard?
By Phil Hickson – SVP, Global Partnerships at The Estate Registry Studies from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) indicate the average time to issue a grant of probate last year was between 12 to 16 weeks – more than double (in some cases) the expected six- to 10-week timeframe. The entire process end-to-end can last […]
Establishing Assets in Court of Protection Cases
By Carl Marston, Senior Associate Solicitor, Court of Protection Team, Morr & Co LLP Usually, the local authority’s social services or the Court of Protection Panel will refer a new case to us. Often this will be someone who has been moved into care, and they have no close family to provide any background or […]
Shared experience; insight and best practice in estate administration
Listen to the latest Today’s Wills and Probate podcast: “Shared experience; insight and best practice in estate administration”, featuring Charlotte Toogood. We’re delighted that our Legal Services Director, Charlotte Toogood, recently joined the latest episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate podcast, “Shared experience; insight and best practice in estate administration”, as a special guest. […]
Fraser and Fraser helps unite a Dutch man with a Fallen Hero
Fraser and Fraser, a leading genealogy and international probate research firm, recently completed a unique and heart-warming case that bridged continents and generations. The firm successfully traced the family of Corporal David Kilgour Mitchell, a Scottish Soldier who perished during World War II. Corporal Mitchell, a members of the 1st Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highland […]
