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 […]
Tackling the funding gap in estate administration
Founded in 2020 Provira is one of a handful of FCA-regulated organisations offering inheritance and estate lending services to cover inheritance tax and estate costs. In this latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast episode host David Opie speaks with John Sanderson, Director of Partnerships at Provira, about the growing role of inheritance and estate lending […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Evolving estate planning services; delivering long term solutions for clients
Estate planning is changing; demand is rising, lifestyles are changing, family structures are becoming more complex, and taxation is crippling. Clients no longer want, or indeed need, a simple will. They want a plan. Something reviewed regularly. Something that adapts as life changes. It’s the topic of the latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast as […]
The digital ‘goldilocks’ solution for LPAs
The latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast dives into one of the most pressing conversations in private client work: how technology can transform the way people create and register Lasting Powers of Attorney. Host David Opie welcomes Matt Cresswell, founder of Power of Attorney Online, for a discussion about modernising a process that millions still […]
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 […]
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 […]
Digitisation, reform and modernisation; a year of Today’s Wills and Probate Podcasts
The Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast was launched in 2022 with the aim of introducing listeners to the organisations and individuals who contribute to the success of the wills and probate sector. Over the previous four series, and 75 episodes the podcast has covered topics from the great wealth transfer, digitisation and modernisation, free and […]
Unlocking the potential of private equity
With private equity funding fuelling the UK legal services market the Today’s Wills and Probate podcast welcomes one of the latest additions to the cohort, Vault Private Client, to the podcast. Vault is the newest practice within the Beyond Law Group; a private equity backed legal services firm which describes itself as ‘a disruptive, non-traditional […]
Breaking down barriers; women in private client law
To what extent do women feel as though there is a glass ceiling in law and how can we overcome that? That is the question posed in the latest episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate podcast, as host David Opie sits down with Cara Doyle and Katie Howard from JMW Solicitors to explore gender […]
What can be done to improve mental health and wellbeing in legal services?
As more than half of lawyers say they anticipate leaving their role within the next five years because of poor mental health and wellbeing, the latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast tackles the issue head on with a wide ranging discussion on what organisations can do to protect their staff. Joining the podcast are Trish […]
Composing a legacy; mixing a jazz career with estate planning
The latest episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, takes a musical tur as host David Opie welcomes John Heavens, CEO of Your Legacy Solutions – and a professional jazz musician. John shares with David his background and how the worlds came to collide; and how he manages to balance his two professions. By day, […]
How to protect yourself from the rise of undervaluing estates claims
The probate industry is under increasing pressure to demonstrate practitioners have acted in the best interest of the estate, particularly as beneficiaries become more financially dependent on inheritances. The Probate Registry has done much to ease the pain of delays and now private enterprise is playing its part in helping law firms and probate professionals […]
Reimagining house clearances in the digital age
In this episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate podcast, host David Opie is joined by Elka Goldstein, founder of Sort & Store, to explore how estate clearance is being reimagined for one of probate’s most emotionally fraught tasks: clearing a loved one’s home. Sort and Store has taken the traditional house clearing process and […]
How financial innovation can complement traditional probate services
In this episode of Today’s Wills and Probate, host David Opie welcomes Dan Baines, Founder and CEO of Advanced Inheritance, for a deep dive into the growing role of probate lending in modern estate administration. With delays in probate often leaving beneficiaries in financial limbo, organisations like Advanced Inheritance now offer a regulated, consumer-first solution […]
Addison & Anor v Niaz [2024] EWHC 3124: implications for Larke v Nugus requests
In this episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, David Opie welcomes a panel of legal experts to explore the recent Addison and Niaz case and its important implications for Larke v Nugus requests. He is joined by Lucy Scourfield, associate in the contentious trusts and probate team at Forbes Solicitors; Shannon Thompson, a […]
Remember A Charity Week: Getting involved in 2025
This episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast is hosted by David Opie and features Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, and Meg Edwards, a solicitor specialising in trusts and estates disputes at Shakespeare Martineau. Their discussion centres on legacy giving, inheritance tax, and the importance of clear communication between advisors and clients. […]
Hammer time for probate property
In this episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie explores the evolving world of probate property sales through the lens of auctions. He’s joined by Russell Taylor, Managing Director and Auctioneer at probate.auction, and Corin Holness, Corporate Relationship Director. Together, they unpack how the auction process is helping executors, legal professionals, and […]