The latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast welcomes Emily Robertson, Associate from Burgess Mee, to talk about the impact her job has on her mental health and wellbeing.

Emily is part of the private client team dealing with Wills, Trusts, Probate and Court of Protection. She explains that each of the disciplines bring with them their own individual challenges not just from the point of view of the practice of law, but from an emotional point of view. 

Often described as a "distress purchase" Emily discusses her experiences of dealing with clients at what is often a very difficult time in their lives, whether it's losing a loved one, or dealing with a loss of capacity. 

She shares her thoughts on when clients might need guidance on the timing of moving legal process forward and shares how she will always ask her clients how involved they want her to be. She discusses how her job impacts her relationships at work and at home; and how important her "work family" are in supporting her. 

But it's not all doom and gloom. Emily is passionate about her role and enjoys building relationships with people, being human with clients, breaking down stereotypes, and not taking on the grief of clients; sometimes, says Emily, you have to have a little bit of "gallows humour."

In an interesting discussion, Emily shares some of her learnings and coping mechanisms she has developed to deal with the stresses and strains of private client work. 

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

This episode of The Today's Wills and Probate podcast sets out to myth-bust the relationship between probate practitioners and legacy managers; who up until more recent years might have been described as "frenemies!"

A profession who deliver £3bn in charity revenues and enable the final wishes of somebody to be fulfilled is a rewarding career and joining this latest episode to discuss this conundrum is Matthew Lagden, CEO of legacy professional membership body The Institute of Legacy Management (ILM). The ILM champions best practice, training and collaboration across it's membership. 

Matthew discusses the role of ILM in creating the vocation of Legacy Management as a dedicated role within charities and in fostering better relationships in the probate community. The property price boom of 80's and 90's saw legacy income rise dramatically (around 50-70% of the average estate will be made up of residential property) requiring proper administration and process.

There is also a recognition that legacy income plays a critical part of charity funding, highlighted by the pandemic which saw legacy income drop c.10% against a backdrop of 30% reductions in other funding streams.

Matthew shares his experiences of leading the organisation for the past 5 years; the highs and lows and what his hopes for the industry are.  And leaves us with his top tips on how probate and legacy management professionals can work most effectively together. 

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

Michael Culver, founder and director of Culver Law and Chair of Solicitors for the Elderly joins Today's Wills and Probate Podcast host David Opie to discuss his experiences of setting up Culver Law in 2021. 

Michael shares his motivations for setting up on his own and the the ups and downs of the set up process, from applying for professional indemnity insurance, writing the business plan, submitting his application for registration (and answering the subsequent queries!) and challenges with his client account. 

And that's all before he even started! 

Michael moves on to share his thoughts on the progress being made around digital and the impact that will have on the profession. He acknowledges that there will be teething issues but suggests that the direction of travel is positive. 

He has been vocal around ensuring there are clear checks and balances when it comes to the digital journey to protect those most vulnerable from exploitation, and while progress is being made, there is still work to be done here. 

The discussion also reflects on the changes in the industry beyond technology and how this will impact private client practice over the next 12-18 months.  The conversation considers the LPA bill, the impact of more applications to the Court of Protection (and providing deputies with greater powers) also flags the tax changes which will lead to some interesting planning work for practitioners. 

Part 1 of "How to set up a law firm" will be followed by a part 2 later in year as another recent law firm founder joins the Today's Wills and Probate podcast to share their experiences. 

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

In this latest episode of Today's Wills and Probate host David Opie is joined by Giles Wilson Founder and Managing Partner Melinda Giles.

With over 25 years experience in private client, Melinda brings a wealth of experience to a discussion which considers her expertise in financial abuse and associated issues with capacity; alongside reform and her own challenges running a successful law firm.

For Melinda, financial abuse is simply "not well understood" by the powers that be.

"Financial abuse is a soft word for stealing, it is a crime. Taking money from people who are vulnerable and it is often tied up with emotional abuse"

says Melinda, who passionately explores the topic in the course of the discussion.

In her role at The Law Society she is currently working with the Wills and Equity Committee on LPA reform, which she describes as needed, but "risky," saying that there is a balance between the diminishing advice around LPA's and the focus on the digitisation.

"None of us are against modernisation, (the current LPA process) requires improvement, but it is the risk to the vulnerable that is of concern."

She also discusses 

• lobbying government to improve court services
• considering the wider opportunities with the extension of digital signing of wills
• the recognition of digital assets in estate planning. 

In her own role as Managing Partner of Giles Wilson she discusses the changing nature of managing a law firm. In July 2022 the firm established an Employee Ownership Trust, empowering the staff to play their part in the ownership and future of the firm. 

And she discusses the ever-evolving challenges in private client work and the need to be prepared for increased "unbundling" of legal services. 

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

In this latest episode of the Today's Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie is joined by National Association of Licensed Paralegal's (NALP) former CEO and now Patron Amanda Hamilton

Starting out running paralegal training programmes in the 90's, at a time when the term "paralegal" was starting to be used more regularly in the UK following its migration from America,  Amanda took on the role as CEO of NALP in the mid 2000's.

NALP's objective is to champion the role of the paralegal and better prepare them for the world of legal, with a range of qualification available for members. It has also worked to shape the role of the paralegal in the UK, moving from it being a stepping stone for law graduates, to being a recognised profession in its own right, with an expertise and skillset to match.

Amanda discusses how the challenges presented by the legal aid reforms since 2013 has paved the way for paralegals to play their role in providing access to justice for many people who simply can't afford alternative legal representation.

And they can play an increasingly important role in many law firms. Amanda calls on firms to take a more diverse view of who can be a paralegal (it's not just a law graduate looking for their first role), and the positive role they can play in the firm (ensuring the do not cross the line into reserved activities.)

For Amanda there is a commercial opportunity for firms as well where paralegal can undertake matters traditionally done by solicitors, and continue to bill at a reasonable rate, creating the opportunity for solicitors and partners to take on more complex and lucrative work.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

In this first Today's Wills and Probate podcast of 2023 host David Opie is joined by founder of Finders International, Danny Curran.

In 2022 Finders International celebrated its 25th Anniversary and in this podcast Danny discusses the challenges of running a business that has seen so much change since 1997, the changing face of genealogy services and what he thinks the future holds.

The world is a much smaller place as a result of social media and the internet and has had a monumental impact on the way genealogical searches are conducted.  Societal change has also had an impact . Falling marriage rates, cohabitation, blended families all impact the way genealogists go about doing their job in 2023.

He shares anecdotes of situations where verifying family trees has resulted in establishing beneficiaries in far flung places and ensuring estates are properly distributed.

Danny also discusses his experience of being involved in the long-running BBC programme Heir Hunters which introduced genealogy and genealogy services to a new audience.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

In this latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie is joined by Arken.legal CEO Dave Newick. 

A "technologist" in an industry where technology adoption has traditionally been slow, Dave shares his thoughts on whether the private client  is ready for a technology revolution, or whether it will be more of an evolution. 

Add in to the mix a host of wider demographic and economic considerations including 

• the generational change occurring in legal services as long standing baby-boomers and Gen-X solicitors retire 
• law firm consolidation 
• a period of slower economic growth with a focus on process efficiency where research has shown up to 50% of a solicitors time can be spent re-keying data
• the largest transfer of wealth in history with $38.8tn transferring from baby-boomers and Gen-X to Millennials and Gen-Z before 2060

and the industry is ripe for change. 

Dave discusses his thoughts on the changing dynamics of the industry, the way technology adoption is being driven by younger members of the profession, and how important being "technology-enabled" is as a recruitment tool for law firms. 

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

In this latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie is joined by Aubrey Dawson, Managing Director of Dawson's Auctioneers.

Aubrey shares his experiences and expertise as an auctioneer along some wonderful stories about house finds. They do say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in one example Aubrey shares the story of some rather grotesque plates which turned out to be very sought after! Valuing property is an art and Aubrey outlines a few of the popular items that Dawsons often come across, and discusses how they go about ascribing value ahead of the auction.  

Aubrey also discusses the changing face of auctioneering where popular television shows have popularised the process and online auctions have grown in popularity, when you think about websites like eBay. He also is keen to debunk the myth that if you're caught scratching your nose by the auctioneer you can end up bidding for something you didn't mean to!

Proper valuation is key part of the probate process and Aubrey is a passionate advocate of ensuring the value of an estate is maximised for the benefit of the beneficiaries. 

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

In this special edition of the Today's Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie is joined by Will Aid Chair and Head of Legacies at Save the Children, Jonathan Jacques, and Campaign Director Peter de Vena Franks to discuss Will Aid month 2022.

For the month of November, Will Aid  promote the opportunity for consumers to have a their wills written by a Will Aid supporting law firm, and in lieu of paying the firm for the service, they instead donate the money to Will Aid.

Peter and Jon discuss the background to Will Aid and the important role it plays for the 9 member charities, raising over £22m since its inception in 1988. They also discuss how Will Aid continues to create more appointments than it can fully service with its existing supporters.

While each appointment is primarily aimed at creating a Will or Mirror Wills for those enquiring, firms have the opportunity to discuss the wider estate planning needs of the client with Will Aid keen to highlight the wider benefits to firms who take part by being introduced to a host of new clients with a range of legal needs.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment

In this latest podcast Today's Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie is joined by RICS Surveyor Bill Wilkinson to discuss property valuations and imparts his expertise on how important professional "red book" valuations are when taking into consideration the tax implications. 

In the podcast Bill discusses the difference between a Surveyors and an estate agents valuation. He outlines how he goes about valuing property and the considerations that go into establishing property value; a challenge he acknowledges is made all the more difficult given the fluctuations in property market pricing over the past 3 years. 

And when it comes to district valuer negotiations he suggests that a "regulated" valuation provides an extra layer of security and surety for executors, especially 

In the last 12 months Bill reports an increase in HMRC enquiries owing to 1) the need for HMRC to recoup money and taxes given the budget deficit and 2) the volatility in the market creates scope for higher and lower valuation; and provides some thoughts on how best to deal with such negotiations. 

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor VacantC Legal Recruitment