News & Media

Property Solutions Group Announced as Headline Sponsor for the 2026 Probate Industry Awards

We are thrilled to announce that ‘Property Solutions Group’ is the Headline Sponsor for the 2026 Probate Industry Awards, taking place on 23rd April 2026 at the prestigious Pan Pacific London.

As a trusted name in estate property services, Property Solutions Group is synonymous with innovation, reliability, and excellence. Their support signals a strong alignment with the values and ambition of the Probies: to celebrate outstanding work, drive industry standards forward, and shine a light on the often-unsung heroes of the probate world.

From estate clearance to property sales and management, Property Solutions Group is the engine behind many of the industry’s most seamless transitions. Their dedication to delivering tailored solutions across the probate lifecycle makes them the perfect partner for this year’s glittering event.

With a record number of entries expected this year and a stunning new venue, the 2026 Probate Industry Awards are set to be the most spectacular yet.

We look forward to working with Property Solutions Group to deliver a night of recognition, celebration and connection for the probate sector.

For more on Property Solutions Group, visit: www.propertysolutionsgroup.co.uk

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by Admin

Meet the Experts Behind the Probies 2026 Judging Panel

Because behind every great awards night are the people who know greatness when they see it.

As the countdown begins to the 2026 edition of the Probate Industry Awards - happening at Pan Pacific London on 23 April 2026, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the outstanding individuals who will be guiding our judging panel. They’re leaders, innovators and advocates in the probate and private‑client world, and they bring the expertise, integrity and passion we believe the Probies deserve.

Amy Lane

Amy is a Partner in the Private Client team at gunnercooke. After training and qualifying at a regional firm in Kent and spending six years at another regional firm, she now handles a full spectrum of private client work. She is a full STEP member, contracted examiner for STEP exams, full member of ALL, and a Dementia Friend. Amy has also served on the Kent Law Society and Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge District Law Society councils. She’s published in the STEP journal on redefining social norms and family definitions with particular focus on assisted conception—an area she is passionate about.

Amy brings a rare combination of commercial smarts, technical pedigree and social awareness. That means entries to The Probies which reflect diversity, new family models or evolving practice will get her full attention.

Chris Reynolds

Chris has worked at Ramsdens since 1997 and has over 40 years’ experience in Private Wealth and Succession work. He focuses on high value probate matters, estates often exceeding £1 million, and helps clients and families manage long term estate stability. Chris and his team have won multiple industry awards (including Best Probate Law Firm, North at the UK Probate Research Awards four years in a row 2019–2022) and were highly commended at The Probies 2025 for ‘Probate Law Firm of the Year – National’.

Chris brings heavyweight technical chops and results driven experience — particularly for high value, complex matters.

David Masterton

David is Chief Revenue Officer at Premier Solicitors, leading national partnerships, acquisitions and strategic development. Known for his commercial acumen, collaborative leadership and commitment to uplift industry standards, David champions quality legal services and ethical business practices. As a seasoned judge, he brings insight, integrity and real world business perspective to the awards.

This means that for nominations which reflect scalable growth, client engagement excellence or strategic innovation in probate practice - David will be looking very closely.

David Opie

David is Managing Editor of Today’s Media, the publishing business serving the legal services sector. Under his leadership, Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills and Probate and Today’s Family Lawyer have become essential reads for practitioners. As podcast host, David explores key topics with individuals and organisations that power this sector.

His inclusion ensures The Probies don’t just stay inward looking: we will recognise cultural leadership, media impact and communications excellence as part of what makes a standout nomination.

Gary Shaw

Gary is Managing Director of Property Solutions Group, a UK property firm specialising in probate property management, estate funding and value preserving solutions. He has helped save estates around £4 million in selling fees, built sustained relationships with solicitors and will writing professionals, and innovated in deprived payment funding to help estates cover costs efficiently. Gary also serves as a judge for The Probies.

His expertise brings to light the critical role of estates’ property management, compliance, innovation and client service in the probate ecosystem — areas we’ll be honouring at the 2026 awards.

Heledd Wyn

Based in Bristol, Heledd is a Partner specialising in private client services and long term care. With extensive experience in future planning, private wealth, Wills, Powers of Attorney, trusts and Court of Protection matters, she is especially recognised for her expertise in long term and elderly care issues – from navigating local authority assessments to tackling contested proceedings.

Heledd’s combination of technical strength and empathy for vulnerable clients makes her insight invaluable when we assess nominations that sit at the intersection of legal excellence and client care excellence.

Ian Bond

Ian is a solicitor specialising in Wills, Trusts and Probate, a long standing member of the Law Society’s Wills & Equity committee and a new member of STEP’s UK Technical Committee. A strong advocate for industry reform, Ian brings both depth of technical expertise and a progressive mindset.

His role on the judging panel helps ensure The Probies rewards not only excellence as it is today, but also forward thinking practice that helps shape the future of the probate profession.

Jade Gani

Jade is the Founder & CEO of Circe Law. She is deeply committed to supporting older and vulnerable clients in the community and dedicates considerable time to local charities and initiatives. Jade is a fully accredited member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a fully accredited member and Chair of Association of Lifetime Lawyers (ALL), and is on the Law Society’s Wills & Equity Committee. She was named both “Wills & Probate Lawyer of the Year” and overall “Private Client Lawyer of the Year” at the Modern Law Private Client Awards 2024.

Jade brings a sharp eye for excellence and a genuine heart for service—exactly the kind of judge calibre we’re proud to welcome at The Probies.

Lakshmi Turner

Lakshmi is a marketing specialist with over 30 years’ experience in business strategy, branding, proposition development, product service delivery, marketing communications and PR. A graduate of King’s College London and holder of a full time MBA (1990–91), she has consulted to the legal profession, and in 2004 joined the ALL as Development Officer, becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2010 and CEO in January 2014.

Lakshmi’s inclusion reminds us that The Probies are not only about technical legal excellence: they’re also about how you present your service, your brand, your values and your impact. She will champion submissions that reflect excellent stakeholder engagement, communicative clarity and professional identity.

Nimesh Ganatra

As Head of Risk & Compliance at Legal Eye, Nimesh is at the cutting edge of regulatory, risk and product innovation in legal services. He leads on regulatory knowledge management, product development and mentoring of young legal associates.

For us, his presence means a careful and informed evaluation of any award entries touching on compliance, innovation and practice standards. It’s an increasingly important angle in the probate sector and The Probies will reflect that.

Paige Gouldthorpe

Paige spearheads the Court of Protection and Vulnerable Persons Team at Fosters Solicitors, supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in society. She holds three national awards for her legal work, serves as Chair and Sector Lead for the national group Women in Wills, and was named among the “Top 100 Inspiring Women of Norfolk”. Beyond her professional practice, Paige sits on the boards of several regional charities.

Her focus on combining advocacy with empathy means she’s ideally placed to recognise nominees who go the extra mile… not just technically, but humanely.

Trusha Velji

Trusha is Director of Touch Solicitors Limited, a niche award winning law firm devoted to vulnerable clients. Despite being a sole practitioner, she is highly respected, appears regularly on television, radio and in publications, and commits significant time to charitable and pro bono work.

Her presence on the panel sends a clear message: size is not everything. Impact, dedication and commitment to underserved communities matter equally at The Probies.

Trevor Worth

With over 35 years’ experience in legal services, Trevor founded his business at age 22, specialises now in Inheritance & Succession Planning, and holds an MBA from University of Exeter. Trevor is a guest lecturer on innovation and entrepreneurship at several universities, sits on advisory boards of business schools, has served on the advisory panel of the Legal Services Board, and in 2022 was elected President and first Fellow of The B.E.S.T. Foundation. He is fully STEP qualified and is recognised as a legal innovator.

Outside of law, he built a soccer coaching academy (1995–2008), worked as a talent scout for professional football clubs, and in January 2019 introduced a 4 day week at his firm while increasing salaries, drawing the moniker “The Best Boss in the World!”.

Trevor brings decades of experience plus bold, entrepreneurial thinking to our panel.

What this means for you…

With such a high‑calibre judging panel in place, the message is clear: The Probate Industry Awards 2026 will reward substance + style, technical excellence + client focus, and innovation + impact. Whether you are a solicitor, barrister, probate researcher, estate administration provider, technology partner or specialist service firm - there is a place for you at this celebration of the very best in probate and private‑client practice.

How you can get involved

• Nominate: The nomination process is open at https://www.probateindustryawards.com — don’t wait, submissions will close soon.
• Sponsor: If you want to amplify your brand, engage with the community and align yourself with excellence in the probate sector, explore our sponsorship packages early.
• Attend: Join us on 23 April 2026 at Pan Pacific London. Mix and mingle, celebrate with your peers, and witness first‑hand the glitz and glamour of The Probies.

Let’s make 2026 the biggest event yet – one where innovation, compassion and excellence in the probate industry shine through. See you on the red carpet.

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by Admin

Why Entering Industry Awards Matters

And why now is the time to get involved!

In a sector like probate, it’s easy to focus all energy on meeting deadlines, supporting clients, and navigating complex cases. But there’s something to be said for pausing, just for a moment, to reflect on what’s been achieved.

Industry awards offer exactly that opportunity: a moment of recognition, a chance to showcase hard work, and a platform to raise the profile of individuals, teams, and firms who go above and beyond.

Here’s why entering industry awards truly matters:

1. Recognition for Real Impact

Award entries aren’t just about accolades - they’re about celebrating the difference you’ve made. Whether it's guiding grieving families through complex estate processes, innovating behind the scenes, or contributing to policy improvements, your work deserves recognition. Awards highlight the people and practices that are driving the sector forward.

2. Boosting Reputation & Trust

Being shortlisted, highly commended, or winning an award sends a clear message: you’re a trusted leader in your field. This not only strengthens credibility with clients but also enhances your standing with peers, potential referrers, and talent looking to join a reputable team.

3. Team Motivation & Morale

Awards give teams a chance to reflect on what they’ve achieved - especially valuable in sectors where much of the work is behind the scenes. From paralegals and administrators to senior partners, entering awards can boost morale, spark pride, and reinforce a shared sense of purpose.

4. Marketing & PR Opportunities

Industry recognition creates a springboard for wider publicity. An award-winning firm or individual is more likely to feature in trade press, client communications, and on social media. It offers a fresh reason to reach out to clients and contacts - not with a sales pitch, but with a story worth celebrating.

5. Benchmarking & Reflection

Writing an award entry forces you to stop and assess what’s working. It’s a powerful exercise in self-assessment - allowing teams to see their growth, identify standout moments, and benchmark themselves against the wider industry.

6. Networking & New Business

Attending awards ceremonies and being visible in industry conversations brings new connections. The awards circuit isn’t just about celebration - it’s about visibility, thought leadership, and joining a community of professionals shaping the future of probate.

Make This Your Year

The Probate Industry Awards exist to shine a light on the exceptional work happening across the sector. Whether you’re a small team making a big impact, a rising star just starting out, or a well-established organisation driving innovation - now’s the time to tell your story.

Nominations for The Probate Industry Awards 2026 are now open! 🌐 www.probateindustryawards.com

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by Admin

THE RESULTS 2024

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by Admin

Saving a Farm: How Level’s Inheritance Advance Helped Two Farmers Avoid Repossession

In 2019, following the passing of their neighbour, two farmers were named sole executors and beneficiaries of her estate, which included farmland directly adjacent to their own.

Instead of selling the property, they decided to maintain the land and continue its upkeep. However, over time, financial pressure mounted, and they fell behind on mortgage payments related to their own farm.

After some weeks, their mortgage provider threatened to repossess their farm if they did not clear the outstanding mortgage within a matter of weeks. The couple turned to an intermediary, who introduced them to Level’s team for an Inheritance Advance loan. Level moved quickly to assess the situation and process their application.

Within five working days, the loan was approved, and the funds were paid directly to the mortgage lender. The repossession was avoided, and the couple were able to wait for the completion of probate and sale of the farmland. By unlocking a portion of their inheritance early, they successfully navigated a difficult financial situation in just days.

This is a great example of how Level provides practical, time-sensitive support to beneficiaries during the probate process—bridging the gap between probate delays and customer requirements.

For more information, visit www.thelevelgroup.co.uk or contact +44 (0) 20 7205 2870.

The Level Group provides tailored financial solutions for family law and probate, helping individuals and professionals navigate legal costs and inheritance matters with confidence. Our expert-led lending services ensure fast, flexible support during life’s most challenging moments. Learn more at www.thelevelgroup.co.uk or contact us at [email protected] | +44 (0)207 205 2870.

This article was posted on behalf of the sponsor.

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by Admin

Morr & Co promotes two talented lawyers to new roles in the Contentious Trusts and Probate team

We are delighted to announce that Katie Woodcock has been promoted to Partner in our award winning Contentious Trusts and Probate team.

Having joined the team in 2020, Katie focuses on complex contentious trusts and probate disputes. She helps clients solve sensitive family disputes surrounding Wills, estates and trusts and has particular expertise in disputes involving vulnerable individuals. Her impressive ability to navigate these disputes while maintaining her naturally empathetic approach has been instrumental to her success.

The Contentious Trusts and Probate team have also promoted Woodrow Cox to Associate Solicitor.

These promotions within the team further demonstrate the strengthening of our Contentious Trusts and Probate department and our ongoing investment in developing talented individuals who deliver exceptional service to our clients.

Kellie Williams-Jauvel, Head of Dispute Resolution at Morr & Co comments;

"Katie's promotion to Partner is exceptionally well-deserved and represents a significant milestone both for her career and our Contentious Trusts and Probate team. Her ability to navigate complex disputes, while maintaining absolute focus on client outcomes, embodies everything we strive for at Morr & Co. Katie has consistently demonstrated the perfect balance of technical excellence and practical, pragmatic support that our clients value so highly.”

Kellie continues;

“I am equally delighted to see Woodrow Cox's progression to Associate Solicitor. His attention to detail and commercial awareness have made him a trusted advisor to many of our clients and his collaborative approach has been invaluable in many of our cross-departmental matters.”

Catherine Fisher, Managing Partner at Morr & Co adds;

"Congratulations to both Katie and Woodrow. We are incredibly proud of their achievements which reflect both their outstanding individual contributions and our firm's dedication to developing the next generation of specialists."

The Dispute Resolution team were proud winners of Best Contentious Probate Provider at The Probate Industry Awards 2024, which celebrates outstanding achievements and excellence within the probate industry by recognising both firms and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional performance and dedication to their craft.

 

Morr & Co specializes in contentious trusts and probate, resolving complex estate disputes with expertise and empathy. Learn more at www.morrlaw.com or contact us at [email protected] / +44 (0)1737 854000

 

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by Admin

How Our Zero Fee Selling Option and Property Expense Funding Have Empowered Solicitors and Executors

The Success of the Zero Fee Selling Option

When we introduced our Zero Fee Selling Option in 2020, our goal was to alleviate some of the financial strain on clients who needed to sell property as part of an estate administration or in other legal proceedings. Solicitors often deal with clients who are under financial pressure or facing complex legal and administrative tasks, and this innovative solution was designed to reduce some of the stress involved in selling property.

By removing the need for clients to pay selling fees, the Zero Fee Selling Option has allowed solicitors to offer a smoother, more flexible process for property transactions. The option means that clients don’t have to worry about estate agent selling costs, allowing them to focus on the more important aspects of their case, such as the legal and administrative elements of estate management.

As this service has grown in popularity, an increasing number of solicitors have recognised the value it provides to their clients. With 80% of our solicitor clients now choosing this option, it has become a trusted method for facilitating property sales, particularly when time or financial constraints are a concern.

Introducing Property Expense Funding in 2024

In 2024, we introduced Property Expense Funding, a service designed specifically to support solicitors, executors, and personal representatives dealing with the financial challenges of managing a probate property. Executors often face significant upfront costs associated with the administration of estates, including property maintenance, insurance, legal fees, and other testamentary expenses. However, in many cases, they may not have immediate access to funds to cover these expenses.

Our Property Expense Funding is designed to bridge this gap, providing financial assistance to cover the costs associated with managing a probate property and handling testamentary expenses. This allows executors and personal representatives to continue with the estate administration process without the burden of having to pay for everything upfront. By alleviating financial pressures, this funding ensures that the property can be properly managed and sold, which in turn facilitates the probate process.

For solicitors, this service has proven invaluable, as it allows them to offer their clients a seamless way to handle the often-complex financial responsibilities involved in estate administration. Executors can continue to act on their duties without worrying about securing immediate funds, while solicitors can ensure that all costs are met and that the estate is administered efficiently.

A Collaborative Approach for the Future

The success of our Zero Fee Selling Option and the introduction of Property Expense Funding in 2024 represent just two examples of our commitment to providing effective, solicitor-focused solutions. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, we aim to offer services that complement the needs of solicitors and their clients, enabling them to navigate property transactions and estate administration with confidence.

By offering these services, solicitors can help clients handle the complexities of property sales and probate administration in a way that’s financially manageable. Whether it's assisting in the sale of a property without upfront fees or providing support for executors to manage the expenses of administering an estate, we are here to support the legal community with practical solutions that ease the burden of property-related matters.

Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to working closely with solicitors to ensure that our services continue to meet the evolving needs of their clients, providing a seamless, stress-free process for property sales and estate management.

 

PSG provides solicitors, executors, and personal representatives with practical solutions to streamline property sales and estate administration. To learn more about our Zero Fee Selling Option and Property Expense Funding, visit our website: www.psg.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact us at: [email protected] or call us on: +44 (0)1234 567890.

This article was posted on behalf of the sponsor.

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by Admin

The Estate Registry: Transforming Estate Management with Cloud-Based Solutions

Estate management has long been a complex and time-consuming process, requiring careful coordination between financial advisers, legal professionals, and beneficiaries. The Estate Registry is revolutionising this space with cloud-based solutions designed to simplify estate planning, probate, and inheritance management. Serving professionals across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., we provide a seamless, secure, and efficient way to manage inter-generational wealth transitions.

At The Estate Registry, we offer three products to address various estate management needs.

NotifyNOW is designed to ease the burden of notifying financial institutions, government agencies, and service providers when an individual passes away. By providing a structured, efficient way for estate executors and administrators to manage notifications and final arrangements, NotifyNOW simplifies estate administration. Automated notifications instantly inform banks, credit bureaus, pension providers, and utility companies, reducing the manual workload of estate administrators. Status tracking allows users to monitor confirmation of account closures and transfers in real time. Compliance support ensures that all necessary parties are legally informed, preventing fraudulent account activities. By saving time and reducing administrative burdens, NotifyNOW allows estate executors to focus on beneficiaries and legal matters while ensuring a smooth, stress-free transition for families and professionals.

With the recent launch of InheritNOW in the U.K., beneficiaries can now access a portion of their inheritance quickly, without waiting months or even years for probate to be finalised. This inheritance advance provides much-needed financial relief during what is often a difficult time. As repayments come directly from the estate rather than the individual, beneficiaries are not personally responsible for repayment. The streamlined approval process ensures funds can be accessed in just a few days, helping beneficiaries  cover urgent expenses or make financial decisions without unnecessary delays. InheritNOW is structured to ensure fairness and transparency, making it an essential tool for estate planners and legal professionals handling probate cases in the U.K.

LegacyNOW is an estate lifecycle management platform designed to help individuals and families organise and securely store key estate planning documents. With secure digital storage and controlled access for trusted professionals and family members, LegacyNOW supports proactive estate planning. Automated alerts and updates help ensure documents remain current. While not yet available in the U.K., this platform is shaping the future of estate planning by making the process more streamlined and accessible.

At The Estate Registry, we combine industry expertise with cutting-edge technology to offer solutions that bring efficiency, security, and peace of mind to estate management. Whether you are a financial adviser, funeral professional, estate planner, or probate solicitor, our tools provide the support needed to manage estates more effectively. By simplifying the complexities of estate transitions, The Estate Registry ensures that individuals and organisations can navigate these processes with confidence and ease. Contact us today to learn how The Estate Registry can support your estate planning and administration needs.

 

The Estate Registry provides professionals with cloud-based tools to streamline estate management and probate administration. Our solutions simplify wealth transitions, ensuring efficiency and security. Learn more at www.estate-registry.com or contact us at [email protected] | +44 (0)1234 567890.

 

This article was posted on behalf of the sponsor.

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by Admin

Driving the digital future of estate management

About The Estate Registry

The Estate Registry is a true pioneer of estate management services, providing cloud-based tools and services for inter-generational estate management. We use the term ‘pioneer’ deliberately, since we have quite literally been immersed in the subject for 25 years or more.

The organisation was created by a team of professionals with decades of service experience, supporting other professionals, organisations and individuals throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The team recognised the challenges of estate management after a death and established The Estate Registry to provide individuals and organisations with a range of services to automate, simplify and accelerate the transition of assets to beneficiaries.

Our services

The Estate Registry delivers a suite of services to support lawyers, solicitors, accountants, Trust companies, financial services and utilities firms, and indeed all companies and personal representatives of estates and other intermediaries in delivering the best advice and support to their clients.

First among these services is NotifyNOW, a digital notification service for the bereaved (or the representatives of a deceased) to notify creditors of the death of one of their customers. Already award winning, the ambition over time is for NotifyNOW to become the single route for the bereaved and/or their representatives to inform ALL creditors of an individual’s death.

In the future will also be launching InheritNOW, a range of financial services products that help beneficiaries (and/or the professional representatives of an estate) to cover the expenses of a death or to receive their inheritance funds prior to probate being granted. InheritNOW will be launched to the intermediary community and direct to customers. In terms of future development, we will also be launching our LegacyNOW digital vault product in the UK which  is a digital estate lifecycle-management suite to help navigate the estate process.

What makes us different?

We are committed to continuous digital innovation and seek to develop digital solutions that enhance the lives of lawyers, their clients and families. So it’s not one single service or product that sets us apart, but rather the sum of the parts, and the inter-relation of services that makes us different. We also have significant financial backing and a proven track record, which enables us to invest in future product development with an agility that others will find difficult to match.

Our UK Awards

Technology Development Award for NotifyNow – British Credit Awards 2024

Best Use of Technology Award for E.ON using NotifyNOW - Vulnerability Awareness Awards 2023

Innovation Award for NotifyNow – Credit Services Association Awards 2023

For more information, please contact

Sales: Name: Luke Cheadle Tel: 07841 042 369 Email: [email protected]

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by Admin