The Probies – the Probate Industry Awards, now in its seventh year – exists to award excellence among leading probate solicitors and heir hunters, while celebrating the most engaging story of human interest produced by the industry.
Probate law firm Premier Solicitors, and national heir hunter Finders International won the two main categories at the Probate Industry Awards 2025, presented in London by broadcaster Steph McGovern.
The Probate Industry Awards recognises merit across business operations, impressive growth, client satisfaction and meaningful social impact for companies providing probate services to the public.
Probate law firm of the year (national)
On Premier Solicitors, which won the category of national probate law firm of the year, industry-appointed judges commented:
“Worthy of praise is the firm’s successful implementation of probate packages – a first sight for such a charging mechanism. More firms should have this holistic approach to fees and client welfare, alongside transparency for clients.”
The firm has furthermore reached second place nationally, by volume of probate applications per annum (source (MoJ).
UK probate research firm of the year
Winning in the category of UK Probate Research Firm of the Year, judges commented on winner, Finders International:
“Having provided compelling evidence for each of the criteria – demonstrating expertise, commitment, helpfulness to the industry and client focus, they also provide diverse range of services not traditionally offered by companies in this space.”
Rising star of probate services
Probate.Auction, the UK’s first dedicated probate property online auction house, won the category of Best Probate Property Provider and were commended for their ‘meteoric growth’ in the space of a year.
Siblings reunited after 70 years
Wining in the category of story of human interest is the saga of siblings Alfred and Margaret Ardener – both then octogenarians and who were reunited after 70 years apart. Their reintroduction was through the efforts of heir hunters solving the intestacy of their late sister Mabel. Margaret then passed away shortly after a heartfelt day spent with her younger brother Alfred – allowing both siblings to be reunited after decades apart.
The Ardener family story was covered by The Times and Daily Mirror with probate genealogy work conducted by Amy Cox at Finders International.
Antoine Djikpa, chair of the IAPPR (International Association of Professional Probate Researchers), commented:
“With the increase in intestacies, not only in the UK but globally, and increased strain on local authorities left to pick up the pieces when individuals pass away, it’s never been a more important time than now to recognise the crucial work of our legal and probate professionals.”
