Best Willwriting Podcasts (2025)

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How financial innovation can complement traditional probate services 31:13

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5d ago31:13

31:13

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, co…

1
Remember A Charity Week: Getting involved in 2025 33:36

2M ago33:36

33:36

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 …

1
Hammer time for probate property 30:18

2M ago30:18

30:18

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…

1
Addison & Anor v Niaz [2024] EWHC 3124: implications for Larke v Nugus requests 21:11

3M ago21:11

21:11

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 non-contentious …

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How are blended families and digital data reshaping genealogy services? 36:20

3M ago36:20

36:20

In this episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate podcast, host David Opie welcomes Anthony Allsopp, Head of Business, and Simon Barber, Technical Manager at Title Research, to explore the nuanced challenges of probate genealogy and the role of missing beneficiary insurance. The conversation begins with a look at Title Research’s history, from its f…

1
Interview: Professor Nick Hopkins; Modernising Wills Law 43:25

3M ago43:25

43:25

The project to modernise wills law book-ends the career of Professor Nick Hopkins in his role as the Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law at The Law Commission as he departs in the coming months following the end of his tenure. Before he departs Nick sits down with Today's Wills and Probate Podcast host David Opie to discuss the culminat…

1
Building a national brand in end-of-life planning 22:34

4M ago22:34

22:34

In this episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie welcomes Sam Grice, founder of Octopus Legacy (formerly Guardian Angel), to discuss the origins, evolution, and future ambitions of one of the fastest-growing companies in the end-of-life planning and bereavement support space. Sam's journey into the wills and probate sector …

1
I can't believe I get paid to do this! 24:56

4M ago24:56

24:56

In the latest episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie discusses the intriguing and often surprising world of probate genealogy with Eileen Lavelle, Regional Head at Anglia Research. Eileen offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to be a probate genealogist and how their work dovetails with the probate process. Eil…

1
Defining workplace culture and its impact on leaders and employees 24:52

5M ago24:52

24:52

The latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast welcomes workplace culture and staff retention specialist Andre Thomas of Thomas Telman to discuss the critical importance of cultivating a positive workplace culture and the direct impact this has on staff retention and overall business success. The firm has created a empirical methodology by which cult…

1
Special Edition: Wills Act 2025 - What can we expect from the Law Commission report? 39:08

5M ago39:08

39:08

In this latest episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Stephen Lawson, Partner at IDR Law and Elizabeth Gibbison, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell and Chair of Law Society Private Client Solicitors Section Advisory Committee, to discuss the likely contents of the Wills Act 1837 by the Law Commission, its wider im…

1
Strategically navigating a consolidating estate planning market 27:15

5M ago27:15

27:15

Arken Group CEO Dave Newick joins the Today's Wills and Probate Podcast to discuss the output of a recent report published by Arken looking at the current landscape of the private client sector. The podcast focuses on three key discussion points borne out of the report; law firms and professionals need to be; better at understanding the data they h…

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What you need to know about Islamic wills 18:12

6M ago18:12

18:12

In this Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie sat down with Mariam Khan, Solicitor at WMP Legal, to discuss the complexities of Islamic wills and estate planning. Many will writers and solicitors do not have the expertise to draft wills that align with both English law and Islamic inheritance principles. Mariam Khan has developed this …

1
Life in the law - have your say before 21st March 2025 21:51

6M ago21:51

21:51

Podcast host David Opie in joined by CEO of the charity LawCare, Elizabeth Rimmer, to discuss their latest "Life in the Law" surveys which are now open for completion until Friday 21st March. LawCare supports and promotes mental health and wellbeing across the legal services sector. They have 2 main focuses. Their first is in providing direct suppo…

1
"Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits" 27:17

7M ago27:17

27:17

The Today's Wills and Probate Podcast welcomes back Dan Warburton, a law firm consultant and trainer who specialises in helping individuals delegate work more effectively; in the process junior staff are elevated, the individual has a happier work/life balance, and ultimately the firm can be more profitable. It's a soapbox Dan has jumped on before …

1
"Tech is only as good as the data you put in it" 27:44

7M ago27:44

27:44

In the second episode of the fourth series of the Today's Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie sat down with Taz Khalid, CEO, and Jean Ward, COO of My Probate Solicitor (MPS), to discuss the launch of the new business and the introduction of ZENA—an AI-powered “warrior princess” designed to streamline probate services for an ageing and growin…

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Tackling the 'yawning gap' between professional and care sectors 25:05

8M ago25:05

25:05

In the first episode of the fourth series of the Today's Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Alison Hesketh of TimeFinders; a service best described as providing later life admin support. Filling the "yawning gap" between the legal and financial professions, and the care sector, Timefinders was set up in 2010 following Alison's …

1
Probate administration; better or worse? 33:11

10M ago33:11

33:11

What is the current sentiment across the profession around wills, probate, client experience, speed of administration, attitude toward financial services... that is the topic of the latest Today's Wills and Probate which delves into the recently published "Bereavement Index"; an annual report tracking the key issues facing individuals and firms dea…

1
Shared experience; insight and best practice in estate administration 38:03

10M ago38:03

38:03

Legal Services Director at Kings Court Trust Charlotte Toogood joins the latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast to impart her experience of working in estate administration over the last 16 years. With contentious probate on the rise Charlotte shares her thoughts on what we can do as practitioners, and how we can better advise families to either …

1
Case Review: The Lessons of Leonard v Leonard 30:35

11M ago30:35

30:35

Today's Wills and Probate Host David Opie is joined by Birketts' Head of the Private Wealth Dispute Team Bernadette Baker and Partner in the team Kate Harris to discuss the case of Leonard v Leonard; a convoluted and disputed probate case concerning the estate of Jack Leonard and the validity of two separate Wills. Bernadette leads with a comprehen…

1
QualitySolicitors - The next chapter 27:22

11M ago27:22

27:22

As one of the disruptors in the wake of the Legal Services Act 2007 QualitySolicitors (QS) was launched in 2009 with the ambition to help the high street fight back against the anticipated onslaught of major brands entering the legal market - so-called 'Tesco Law.' QS grew rapidly, with firms up and down the country adopting the familiar black and …

1
Free and low cost will schemes - good or bad? 26:45

11M ago26:45

26:45

Free and low cost will schemes are an established part of the wills and probate sector, providing charities with valuable legacy income streams, and practitioners with their largest source of lead generation. The latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast welcomes Richard Millar of Capacity Marketing on to discuss the value of free and low cost will …

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Don't forget about attendance allowance 21:38

11M ago21:38

21:38

Dean Morgan is the Managing Director of a franchise of Grey Matters Consultancy; a business founded with the aim of meeting the needs of those in retirement at the point they need additional assistance, and for offering guidance to those who have the responsibility for their care. Dean is himself a franchisee based in Cardiff with a background in s…

1
The launch of the National Association of Independent Administrators 22:05

12M ago22:05

22:05

Helen Stewart, Partner and Head of Probate at Thomson, Snell & Passmore joins the latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast to discuss the launch of a new association to support collaboration and best practice amongst independent administrators (IAs) and estates in conflict. The National Association of Independent Administrators (NAIA) brings togeth…

1
Wills in North America vs England & Wales 33:07

12M ago33:07

33:07

Tim Hewson joins the Today's Wills and Probate podcast to discuss LegalWills - his Canadian-based technology company providing will writing and estate planning services in Canada and North America. The business started in a bar in Ottawa where Tim and his colleagues were discussing whether any of them, all successful tech high-flyers, had a will or…

1
AML and sanctions data collection - What you need to know 37:36

1y ago37:36

37:36

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has recently requested law firms complete an anti-money laundering and sanctions data collection exercise. The SRA is required by Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS) to take a risk-based approach to supervision and is requesting firms complete the requested information as …

1
Normalising charity legacies and leaving gifts in wills 29:51

1y ago29:51

29:51

Behaviour change campaign Remember a Charity is a consortium of around 200 charities dedicated to growing the legacy market; helping charities develop what is an increasingly vital long term revenue stream. In the latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Lucinda Frostick, Director at Remember a Charity and Chris Millwa…

1
Understanding the cost of legacy fundraising 33:07

1y ago33:07

33:07

Ashley Rowthorn, CEO and Kath Horsley, Senior Consultant at Legacy Futures join the Today's Wills and Probate podcast to discuss their latest piece of research on the investment charities make in their marketing. The Legacy Marketing Benchmarks report provides insight into helping charities understand what legacy marketing is enable charities to be…

1
Regulation, collaboration and the response to the CMA Guidance 31:55

1y ago31:55

31:55

Regulation, collaboration and the response to the Competition and Markets Authority review of will writing services all form part of the latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast. Host David Opie is joined by Antony Brinkman; CEO of the Willwriting Partnership and Chair of the Professional Standards Board (PSB). At the outset Antony explains the rol…

1
The five most expensive words in the English language 25:10

1y ago25:10

25:10

The five most expensive words in the English language - "it's a matter of principle." Because principles cost money. And this increasingly plays out across contentious private client matters, in inheritance and probate disputes. joining host David Opie on the latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast is Hayley Gaffney, an associate at Coodes Solicit…

1
The Great Wealth Transfer 27:18

1+ y ago27:18

27:18

People who were born between 1946 and 1964, the so called Baby Boomer Generation, is a cohort of 16.8 million people; and due to favourable financial conditions in that time are the wealthiest generation in human history, holding somewhere in the region on 80% of the UK's wealth. With the older baby boomer now 78 years old, and against a backdrop o…

1
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 Special 51:12

1+ y ago51:12

51:12

In this specially recorded podcast, the Today's Wills and Probate podcast joins forces with its sister podcasts from the Today's Conveyancer and Today's Family Lawyer online news publications to discuss the topic of mental health and wellbeing ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, from 13th May 2024. Podcast host David Opie welcomes Managing Direc…

1
Using technology to help manage digital assets 29:17

1+ y ago29:17

29:17

Dylan O'Brien, the founder of BePrepared, joins the latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast to discuss his take on the increasingly challenging issue of managing digital assets in estate planning, and what role technology has to play in supporting practitioners. BePrepared was launched in Australia and has expanded into the USA and UK in the time …

1
We're all human, we all make mistakes 26:54

1+ y ago26:54

26:54

Joining the latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast is Dan Temple, an expert in acknowledging and understanding the human impact of working, and managing employees and businesses. The discussion centres on creating effective and high performing teams, and what steps law firms can, and should, be taking to enable this in their business. Dan leads C…

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Navigating the ups and downs of running a will writing business 26:07

1+ y ago26:07

26:07

The Today's Wills and Probate Podcast welcomes Andrew Buchan, Managing Director of James McKenzie Wills, to discuss the ups and downs of running an estate planning business. Andrew has been with the business for 14 years and has seen the development of the sector first hand. He explains his role and responsibility both to his staff but also to his …

1
Law firms and leadership - the skill of profitable delegation 35:17

1+ y ago35:17

35:17

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast welcome Dan Warburton on to discuss the topic of leadership. Dan works with law firms leaders and partners to elevate their leadership skills to enable them empower staff to be more efficient and effective. Dan describes his work as "the skill of profitable delegation;" to create leaders who can deliver high le…

1
The importance of performance management over appraisals 30:26

1+ y ago30:26

30:26

Hamza Hafesji, Group Product Manager at Advanced Legal, joins the latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast to discuss the importance of implementing a culture of performance management in a business. For years the only time most employees receive any sort of constructive feedback has been in an annual appraisal. For Hamza, something has to fundamen…

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What clients want... 32:44

1+ y ago32:44

32:44

The first Today's Wills and Probate podcast on 2024, and the start of series 3, explores the perennial question on the minds and lips of most businesses... what do clients really want? A report from Law Firm Marketing Club does just that. Now in it's 4th year, "What Clients Want" is an extensive piece of research which asks consumers of legal servi…

1
Executry & confirmation; the differences between probate in Scotland, England & Wales 26:19

2y ago26:19

26:19

"Two nations divided by a common language" is a phrase often connected to the relationship between the UK and the USA; but it could be just as easily applied to England and Scotland at times, especially when it comes to legal matters like the probate process. Joining Today's Wills and Probate Podcast host David Opie to de-mystify Scottish probate i…

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The importance of faith in my legal career 34:10

2y ago34:10

34:10

Recorded in the week before the British Wills and Probate Awards 2023, this latest podcast explores the role faith plays in Yasmin Hoque's legal career. A practicing Muslim, Yasmin explores the way her faith has shaped her career to date firstly as a lawyer based in London, and later as the founder or AL-HQ Law & More, based in Southampton. The dis…

1
The Perfect Lawyer 32:01

2y ago32:01

32:01

The latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast welcomes Simon McCrum to discuss the contents of his latest book "The Perfect Lawyer" with host David Opie. There isn't much Simon McCrum doesn't know about running a law firm having been there, done it, and got the t-Shirt. In this discussion Simon shares a little about his background and how he came to…

1
Probate; the "old school" way... 24:08

2y ago24:08

24:08

The latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast welcomes Laurelo on to talk about the current challenges facing probate practitioners. Michael speaks with host David about the origins of the business and his ambitions to support those going through the probate process. Describing their approach as "old school," Michael ensures all clients are seen fac…

1
Sharpening the "blunt stick" of regulation 29:22

2y ago29:22

29:22

In this edition of the Today's Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie speaks with Professional Standards Board member Nick Ash about plans to beef up their oversight of Society of Will Writers members. Ahead of the Society of Will Writers (SWW) Conference in Lincoln on Monday 9th October Nick provides insight into the proposed changes to the Cod…

1
"The best thing about being a private client lawyer is..." 37:12

2y ago37:12

37:12

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast welcome Ian Bond on to discuss the life and times of a private client practitioner in 2023. Ian is a partner in the Lifestyle and Estate Planning Team at Irwin Mitchell having joined in January 2023 and is a vocal advocate for the private client profession. Recorded in July 2023 Ian shares a little bit about hi…

1
Using social media to generate will writing leads 36:39

2y ago36:39

36:39

Following a Summer break the Today's Wills and Probate podcast returns to discuss the challenge of generating new and consistent leads sources for will writing and legal business. A perennial challenge, host David Opie is joined by social media lead generation specialist Matt Jones, founder of Shed Social a digital lead generation agency to discuss…

1
Branding is so much more than your logo 33:35

2y ago33:35

33:35

If we thought branding was about logos and then we’re absolutely wrong... it's about reputation, meaning, culture, service and so much more according to Matt Davies who joins host David Opie on the latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast. Matt lives and breathes branding and his enthusiasm for the subject comes across through this discussion which…

1
Exclusive Interview - Dan Garrett, CEO Farewill 38:42

2y ago38:42

38:42

The latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast is an exclusive interview with Dan Garrett, founder and CEO of Farewill. In an unusual twist of fate, an experience at a Japanese residential home plunged Dan into the world of wills and probate and in 2015 he launched Farewill with the ambition to make the process of dealing with death simpler. The disc…

1
A day in the life of a private client lawyer 30:57

2y ago30:57

30:57

Scott Walker, a consultant solicitor with Richard Nelson LLP is the latest guest on the Today's Wills and Probate Podcast, joining host David Opie to discuss the ups and downs of his working life as a private client practitioner. Scott is one of a new breed of consultant lawyers who effectively work for themselves whilst operating under the umbrell…

1
The personal story of improving the probate process 27:02

2y ago27:02

27:02

In this latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast host David Opie is joined by Exizent co-Founder Aleks Tomczyk. In 2018-19 Aleks and Nick Cousins, his fellow co-Founder of what was to become Exizent, went through their own bereavement journeys and found the whole process frustrating. They also had friends of theirs in similar situations, sparking t…

1
20 years of innovation: The CTT Story 31:44

2+ y ago31:44

31:44

On the latest Today's Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie welcomes Clive Ponder on to discuss his journey from miner to running one of the largest estate planning businesses in the country. CTT Group, formerly Countrywide Tax and Trust Corporation, now spans technology and software, accountancy and conveyancing alongside its estate planning b…

1
Lead generation and conversion best practice in legal services 27:37

2+ y ago27:37

27:37

The latest episode of The Today's Wills and Probate podcast considers the tricky challenge of generating leads and converting sales de organisations across the legal services spectrum. Joining host David Opie is Adam Stevens of The Law Superstore and Reallymoving.com. Experts in lead generation, the platforms generate thousands legal service enquir…