Toni is the Media Officer for Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills & Probate and Today’s Family Lawyer.
I worked for a law firm for 16 years, during my time at the firm I worked as a company commercial legal secretary for 7 years but changed careers and moved into marketing for the remaining 9 years – where I covered all aspects of marketing.
While in the marketing role, I achieved a CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing and CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing.
From the middle of 2022, the Government has appointed the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to regulate the pre-paid funeral industry. In a statement the FCA said it intends to consult in spring 2021 on its
By the end of 2020, it is estimated that there will be almost 1.6 million new funeral plans sold, according to recent research. Market research consultancy, IRN Research, this week published the ‘Funeral Plans Consumer
Conservative MP and Solicitor, John Stevenson has been airing his disagreement over video Wills citing it as unnecessary and risky for firms. As the impact of September’s legislative change begin to emerge, John Stevenson, Conservative
Best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films, Dame Barbara Windsor has sadly passed away, aged 83. In a statement, her husband Scott Mitchell confirmed she had died peacefully from Alzheimer’s
Despite an increase in will-making during the first UK-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, many people have still not put their affairs in order, according to latest Law Society study. New research unveiled by the Law Society
Today’s Wills and Probate caught up with the Probate Office to get an update on the mandatory roll out of online applications since the beginning of November. Last month we gave an insight into the
Legal mental health charity, Lawcare is urging legal professionals to join over 1,350 fellow colleagues to make their voice heard and tell their story in a ground-breaking research study. Only four weeks to go until
Legacy Foresight has released its Legacy Market Outlook 2020-2025 report today. The report shares their latest view of prospects for the UK legacy market, with three scenarios projecting out to 2025. Due to the rapid
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the appointment of Caroline Rookes as the new permanent Chair of The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO). Rookes will formally take up the post from 1 December 2020 and
Here at Today’s Wills and Probate, we wanted to share with you the good news we’ve had within in the industry of professionals joining firms and those who have moved up the promotional ladder. This
Latest research findings show increased confidence and workload in the Wills and probate market. Market research consultancy, IRN Research, this week published the Wills, Probate & Trusts Market Report 2020: Market Trends Report which looks
In an interview with Today’s Wills and Probate, Vicky Wilson, CEO and co-founder of Settld, opens up about how she formed the tech startup company Settld and her involvement in the #BereavementStandard. Vicky co-founded Settld
A former owner of a South-East law firm has been struck off the roll after acting dishonestly by providing 33 false and misleading Will documents. The law firm employer had asked staff repeatedly to falsely
HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) have published a guide to help practitioners reduce potential errors when submitting probate applications online. It has been confirmed that on average, over 35% of applications for probate are
Health Secretary Matt Hancock sets out tougher rules for England’s new coronavirus tier system. As we come out of the second lockdown in a bid to protect vital services in the fight against the virus,
HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) latest figures reveal 2020 has seen record breaking issues of Grants. HMCTS data shows an average of over 5,000 Grants issued each week for the year to date. In
Probate practitioners discuss Solicitor and Conservative MP’s strong views on probate service in a Westminster debate recently. Conservative John Stevenson MP spoke at a Westminster Hall debate saying the probate service is overwhelmed with more
A number of wealthy individuals gifting over £1 million to charities has risen by almost a third in 2017/18, according to HMRC data. HMRC revealed that those persons, known as high net worth (HNWs) individuals,
A predicted legacy boom worth up to £40 billion over the next decade[1] presents charities with a unique window of time to act and benefit from market growth, according to a new joint report produced
The annual SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly) Conference – ‘Hoping for the best whilst preparing for the worst’ is taking place online on Tuesday 8th December 2020. This year the programme looks at what clients
Long-time TV chat show host, Desmond Bernard O’Connor CBE, sadly pasted away on 14th November, aged 88. The king of light entertainment is reported to have died ‘peacefully in his sleep’ following a ‘fall at
Caroline Flack’s fortune will be given to charity as no Will was made before she passed away earlier this year. The Love Island presenter died in February this year at the age of 40 with
Legal firms, probate practitioners and professionals sign up to Will Aid’s Annual Will Writing campaign to help protect families across the country following the impact of coronavirus. The pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions in the
Today’s Wills and Probate caught up with the Probate Office to get an update on the progress made since the summer. Back in the July we gave an insight into the probate office during Covid-19
On Thursday 5th November professionals across the sector joined together in a virtual setting to discuss how law firms manage potential leads, and ways in which those leads are driven without too much investment and
Charity legacy bodies have welcomed a statement from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), which sets out its plans to resolve the delay and backlog of Wills passing through probate. During the pandemic, rising death
Probate solicitors from firms across England and Wales have joined the chorus of organisations and individuals calling for a move towards standardised processes and an industry acceptance of digital documents, to make life easier for
During the second lockdown, the Government has confirmed that law firms can open up their doors to the public. The Law Society recently met with officials from the government to lock in an agreement and
UK businesses have lost more than £6.2 million to cyber scams in the past 12 months with nearly a third increase in cases during the peak of the pandemic, new research shows. From May to
Countless millions of unclaimed money sitting in probate files has become an increasing concern in the industry. The five high street banks declared that £137 million of unclaimed money laid dormant (which was monies laid
Coronavirus has had a catastrophic impact on UK funerals this year. Memorial deprivation is now affecting thousands of families who have been unable to attend funerals or give their loved ones the send-off they would
Law firms and individual professionals/practitioners across all sectors of the legal profession have been bombarded with scams while attempting to recover from the pandemic. The legal industry has been under attack over the last few