The Probies 2021 was bigger and better than ever before!
Held virtually on 29 April 2021 and hosted by British criminal barrister and television personality Rob Rinder, the Probies celebrated the probate research industry in style.
Congratulations to all the winners of the evening! Details of which are below:
BEST PROBATE LAW FIRM: SCOTLAND
Winner: TC Young Solicitors (Glasgow)
Highly Commended: Sturrock Armstrong Thomson
BEST PROBATE LAW FIRM: NORTH ENGLAND
Winner: Ramsdens Solicitors LLP
Highly Commended: Chadwick Lawrence LLP
BEST PROBATE LAW FIRM: CENTRAL ENGLAND
Winner: Wright Hassall
Highly Commended: Pickerings Solicitors
BEST PROBATE LAW FIRM: WALES
Winner: Hugh James
Highly Commended: NewLaw Solicitors
BEST PROBATE LAW FIRM: SOUTH ENGLAND
Winner: Co-op Legal Services (Bristol)
Highly Commended: Charles Russell Speechlys
BEST PROBATE LAW FIRM: LONDON & SOUTH EAST
Winner: Brachers LLP
Highly Commended: Martin Tolhurst
BEST YOUNG WILLS & PROBATE PROFESSIONAL
Winner: Paige Gouldthorpe – Fosters Solicitors LLP
Highly Commended: Holly Radcliffe - Harrison Drury
BEST PROPERTY CLEARANCE FIRM
Winner: Cullen's Clearance Ltd
Highly Commended: Just Clear
BEST PROBATE RESEARCH PARALEGAL
Winner: Amy Cox – Finders International
BEST HUMAN INTEREST STORY
Winner: Amy Fabris – Story from Finders International
THE UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Winner: Ilinca Mardarescu - Aston Bond
Highly Commended: Rachel Jones - Aston Bond
BEST COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
Winner: The firm - Aston Bond
Highly Commended: Lorna Fleming - Finders International Ireland
BEST PROBATE RESEARCH INSURANCE PROVIDER
Winner: AVIVA
BEST PRIVATE DEPUTYSHIP FIRM
Winner: Bennett & Brown Deputyship Services
Highly Commended: Professional Deputies
BEST INTERNATIONAL PROBATE RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Amy Crabill Lay - American Global Heir Search
Highly Commended: Ryan Gregory - Finders International
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL PROBATE RESEARCH
Winner: Jan-Mathis Holstein – GEN GmbH
Highly Commended: Antoine Djipka - ADD Associes
BEST UK PROBATE RESEARCH FIRM
Winner: Finders International
Highly Commended: Harrisons Research & Genealogy
The Probate Research Award 2021 Shortlist
This year’s Probies may be virtual, but it is bigger and better than ever with new award categories, our new judging panel and our host, British criminal barrister and television personality, Judge Rinder!
Founded by Meerkat PR, The UK Probate Research Awards celebrates the achievements and skills of forensic genealogists and probate professionals, recognising the best of the best.
We are excited to announce the shortlist for the 3rd Probate Research Awards as follows:
Best Probate Law Firm Scotland
- TC Young (Glasgow)
- Sturrock Armstrong Thomson
Best Probate Law Firm Wales
- Hugh James
- New Law
Best Probate Law Firm North England
- Ramsdens Solicitors
- Chadwick Lawrence LLP
- Tilly Bailey Irvine
Best Probate Law Firm Central England
- Wilson Browne Solicitors
- Wright Hassall
- Pickerings (Tamworth)
Best Probate Law Firm London & the South-East
- Aston Bond
- Martin Tolhurst
- Brachers LLP
- Osbornes
- Furley Page
Best Probate Law Firm South England
- Co-op (Bristol)
- Coole Bevis
- Charles Russell Speechleys
Young Wills and Probate Professional
- Jade Gani – Aston Bond
- Sophie Wallace – Brachers LLP
- Becci Haffner – Harrison Drury
- Holly Radcliffe – Harrison Drury
- Paige Gouldthorpe – Fosters Solicitors
Best Property Clearance Firm
- Just Clear
- Cullen’s Clearance
- Torbay Clearance Services Ltd
- AJ Site Clearance Ltd
- Simple As
Best Probate Research Paralegal
- Dee French-Patel – Finders International
- Heather Carson – Finders International
- Amy Cox – Finders International
The Unsung Hero Award
- Ilinca Mardarescu – Aston Bond
- Rachel Jones – Aston Bond
Best Community Contribution
- Aston Bond
- Lorna Fleming – Finders International Ireland
- David Lockwood – Finders International
Best Private Deputyship Firm
- Professional Deputies
- Bennett & Brown Deputyship Services
- Owl Guardian Services
Best International Probate Researcher of the Year
- Amy Crabill Lay – American Global Heir Search
- Ryan Gregory – Finders International
- Carmelo Guarino – Finders International
Outstanding Achievement in International Probate Research
- Ryan Gregory – Finders International
- Jan-Mathis Holstein – GEN
- Antoine Djipka – ADD Associes
Best UK Probate Research Firm
- Pro-Gen Research
- Finders International
- Harrisons Research and Genealogy
Good luck to all our shortlisters, we look forward to seeing you on the 29th April at 4pm! Attendance is free, so make sure you register to attend here.
Winners Announced at the Second UK Probate Research Awards
The second UK Probate Research Awards was held on 6 February at London’s DeVere Grand Connaught Rooms, the Bdaily reports.
Presented by BBC’s Nikki Bedi, the awards, sponsored by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), Red Inc, Just Clear and Finders International gives recognition to the probate research profession and those that work with it. The article highlighted that probate research leads to a constant stream of fascinating news and personal finance stories with the evening celebrating excellence and best practice.
Unofficially known as ‘The Probies’, the article showcased the winners of the night, including law firms, probate researchers, paralegals and support services firms across the UK.
The article reported that the highlight of the evening was the winner of the Best Human Interest Story award, Margaret Abbotts. Margaret, 81 from London, has survived The Blitz during the war, had polio and, despite being told she could never give birth, went on to have four children.
Margaret had not known she had a half-sister who died intestate and she went on to inherit an unexpected windfall, the article said. The story was featured on ITV’s This Morning with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, in addition to features in the Daily Mail and The Guardian.
The article also listed the other winners of the night:
Best Probate Law Firm, Scotland: McClure Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, North of England: Ramsdens Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, Central England: Wilson Browne
Best Probate Law Firm, South England: Irwin Mitchell
Best Probate Law Firm, South East & London: Martin Tolhurst Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, Wales: Hugh James Solicitors
Best Property Clearance Firm: Just Clear
Best Probate Research Paralegal: Emma Bell of Finders International
Best Probate Deputyship Firm: Owl Guardian Services
Best Human Interest Story: Margaret Abbotts
Best International Probate Researcher: Carmelo Guarino
Best Community Contribution: Tilly Bailey Irvine
Best Probate Research Insurance Provider: Aviva Legal Indemnities
Outstanding Achievement in International Probate Research: Antoine Djipka from ADD Associés, France.
Best UK Probate Research Company of the Year: Danny Curran of Finders international
Winners have been announced!
The best of the best in the world of probate research was formally recognised and celebrated at the 2020 UK Probate Research Awards, Today’s Wills and Probate reports.
The article highlighted that ‘The Probies’, presented by BBC’s Nikki Bedi and sponsored by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), Red Inc, Just Clear and Finders International recognises national and international probate researchers, paralegals, law firms and legal support services for their outstanding quality of work.
Highlights included the Best Human Interest Story award-winner, Margaret Abbotts and Best UK Probate Research Firm winner, Finders International – a regular on BBC’s Heir Hunters.
The awards also raised money for Alzheimer’s Society, a charity leading the battle against dementia, from their silent auction which raised more than £2,500 on the night.
The article also listed the other winners of the night:
Best Probate Law Firm, Scotland: McClure Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, North of England: Ramsdens Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, Central England: Wilson Browne
Best Probate Law Firm, South England: Irwin Mitchell
Best Probate Law Firm, South East & London: Martin Tolhurst Solicitors
Best Probate Law Firm, Wales: Hugh James Solicitors
Best Property Clearance Firm: Just Clear
Best Probate Research Paralegal: Emma Bell of Finders International
Best Probate Deputyship Firm: Owl Guardian Services
Best Human Interest Story: Margaret Abbotts
Best International Probate Researcher: Carmelo Guarino
Best Community Contribution: Tilly Bailey Irvine
Best Probate Research Insurance Provider: Aviva Legal Indemnities
Outstanding Achievement in International Probate Research: Antoine Djipka from ADD Associés, France.
Best UK Probate Research Company of the Year: Danny Curran of Finders international
Teesside Solicitors win a Probie Award
Teeside-based Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors has won the ‘Best Community Contribution’ award at The UK Probate Research Awards, The Northern Echo reports.
Celebrating the achievements and examples of best practice across probate genealogy (otherwise known as heir-hunting), The UK Probate Research Awards, presented by the BBC’s Nikki Bedi, took place at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
The article reports that Tilly Bailey & Irvine, a company which specialises in legal services from offices in Wynyard, Stockton, Hartlepool and Barnard Castle, was commended by the PRA’s judges for its contribution and support to the local community. The firm won the ‘Best Community Contribution’ award having worked closely with local clients and businesses on probate matters as well as supporting charities with events, legal support and sponsorship.
Nicola Dalzell, Partner at Tilly Bailey & Irvine and Head of the Probate Team commented in the article: “We are very proud of this award and it is testament not just to the hard work that we put in across all of our North-East offices, but also to the way we do it and the positive relationships we have with our community and clients.”
The article also noted that Tilly Bailey & Irvine also help local hospices, individuals, community groups and charities through corporate sponsorship, participating in a number of annual ‘Make a Will’ campaigns and events sponsorship.
Kettering solicitors firm wins prestigious Probie award!
Kettering based firm, Wilson Browne Solicitors, has won the Best Probate Law Firm award at The UK Probate Research Awards, All Things Business reports.
The UK Probate Research Awards, unofficially known as ‘The Probies’, recognises the best of the best and celebrates best practice across forensic genealogy (or heir hunting). The awards took place at London’s DeVere Grand Connaught Rooms on 6 February 2020 and was presented by BBC’s Nikki Bedi with sponsors: National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), Red Inc, Just Clear and Finders International.
Wilson Browne covers all areas of private client and commercial law with offices in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, the article reported. The firm advises individuals on wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and administering probate estates.
Neelam Maher, partner at Wilson Browne, commented: “We are delighted to have received this award, having been nominated by colleagues across the industry – it’s a fantastic recognition for the work we do and the standards we uphold.”
Other highlights included the Best Human Interest Story award-winner, Margaret Abbotts having led an extraordinary life to date. The article said, Margaret had survived The Blitz during the war, polio and after having been told she would never give birth, Margaret went on to have four children. She inherited from a half-sister she never knew existed.
The awards also raised money for Alzheimer’s Society, a charity leading the battle against dementia, from their silent auction which raised more than £2,500 on the night.
UK Probate Research Awards winner Just Clear helping in the fight against Covid-19
Brendan O’Shea, CEO of the eco-friendly, house clearance and rubbish removal business Just Clear, has a new coronavirus decontamination service, This is Money reports. By using an electrostatic spraying solution, Just Clear can easily decontaminate surfaces without wiping the area down.
The article highlights that the new service is available nationwide and Mr O’Shea has already received several enquiries. He said, “I’ve just been quoted to clean 4,200 properties that need decontamination for Covid-19 and that was just for one client who has a number of accommodations.”
With the new service being considered as a vital resource in the prevention of spreading coronavirus, Just Clear have been awarded a Covid-19 contractor status.
Just Clear donated masks to a London hospital
Mr O’Shea, who founded Just Clear in 2007, and the office staff are currently working from home following the guidelines from the government, while cleaning and removal technicians have been provided with “all the correct personal protective equipment, which they re-stocked in December last year.”
With a lack of PPE for frontline NHS workers, Just Clear kindly donated 400 masks to a London hospital allowing them to be properly protected.
Two-time winners at the UK Probate Research Awards
The introduction of their new service comes shortly after Just Clear were awarded the ‘Best Property Clearance Firm’ at the UK Probate Research Awards 2020; an award they also won at the 2019 ceremony.
This was awarded to them for their hard-work, dedication and zero-to-landfill policy. They provide a vital service to the probate industry where many people die with no known next of kin, leaving behind properties filled with belongings.
However, in the article, Mr O’Shea said that Just Clear have been called in to clear “more than 80 tonnes of expired food from food hoarding where regular bin collection services couldn’t cope” and he expects there to be around “37 million tonnes [of waste generated] as more people get deliveries at home and conduct clear outs during the lockdown.”
All winners at the UK Probate Research Awards 2020
Best Probate Law Firms:
Best Probate Research Paralegal
Emma Bell of Finders International
Best Probate Deputyship Firm
Best Human Interest Story
Margaret Abbotts
Best International Probate Researcher
Carmelo Guarino
Best Community Contribution
Tilly Bailey Irvine Solicitors
Best Probate Research Insurance Provider
Best UK Probate Research Firm
People inherit properties worth over £100,000 thanks to Oxford 'heir hunters'
PEOPLE around the county have received the surprising news that they have inherited properties worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Law firm Blake Morgan, which operates in Oxford, has won an award for helping reunite people with estates that they had no idea existed – also known as ‘heir hunting.’
One case led by Blake Morgan's Sam Hardy involved a deceased man’s next of kin inheriting a terraced house in Oxford worth between £100,000 and £200,000.
The family, who had to be traced by genealogists, had no idea their relative had left a will, which was tracked down after an in-depth investigation by Blake Morgan.
The executors named in the will were unable to act, and were renounced.
But the family member was one of the parties named and therefore inherited the estate which they later sold.
Blake Morgan was crowned the Best Probate Law Firm in Central England for 'outstanding contribution to heir hunting'.
James Greig, head of the wills, probate, tax and trusts team based in Oxford, said: “The death of a loved one is always difficult and a challenging time and so we provide expert advice, assistance and reassurance to make the process of inheritance as straightforward as possible.
“We are proud to be able to reunite families with their inheritance and see the impact that this can have on their lives.”
Latest government figures show there are some 9,000 unclaimed estates in the UK, meaning that there are many cases where property, money, and other assets remain unclaimed.
The law firm, which provides advice on all aspects of wealth protection and inheritance planning for individuals and their families, was commended by judges for providing expert advice to clients under often difficult and emotionally charged circumstances.
Mr Greig said: “While death can be a difficult subject that many of us choose to avoid, the heir hunting process can be complex and lengthy so our advice is to always make sure that you have arrangements in place to ensure that your final wishes are met.”
The UK Probate Research Awards, the first of its kind globally, were created in recognition of the fact that probate research has emerged as a profession, which provides an invaluable public and legal service.
This article has been first published in oxformail.co.uk
Legal fuures : Finders Top Probate Research Firm 2019
Finders International celebrated the start of February with an award – the Best UK Probate Research Firm 2019.
The UK Probate Research Awards held on Thursday 7 February at The Mermaid, Puddle Dock in London highlighted the achievements and examples of excellence across forensic genealogy. Supported by Aviva Legal Indemnities and the National Association of Licenced Paralegals (NALP), the awards acknowledge probate research as an emerging profession and one that provides an invaluable public service.
The winners included:
Best UK Probate Research Firm 2019 – Finders International
Best International Probate Researcher of the Year 2019 – Ryan Gregory
Ryan Gregory has been with Finders International for sixteen years working his way up through the company to a senior case manager position in the public domain team. He is one of the best-known faces on the popular BBC show Heir Hunters. His most interesting case to date involved a sizeable estate in the UK where the deceased’s family came from the Ukraine. The case presented many difficulties before the area’s geo-political history and the challenges of finding heirs overseas, but when the family were traced, each of them benefited from a large windfall.
Best Property Clearance Firm 2019 – Just Clear
Just Clear provides professional probate estate clearance with teams in London and all over the UK. The service is available for relatives and executors as well as probate solicitors and court of protection professionals. It includes valuation, complete clearance, recycling, bio-hazardous cleaning if required, chattels delivered, stored or sold at auction and more.
Best Human Interest Story 2019 – Amy Cox (Finders International) and Lawrence Taylor (beneficiary of case).
Best Probate Research Paralegal 2019 – Katie Watson (Finders International)
Best Private Deputyship Firm 2019 – Professional Deputies
Best Community Contribution 2019 – David Lockwood (Finders International)
The Best Community Contribution award recognised David’s work to support councils with their Public Health Act Funeral and Empty Homes responsibilities, as well as being an advocate for local authority deputyship teams, and running free to use advice forums and events for public sector bodies.
Best Probate Research Insurance Provider 2019 – AVIVA
Outstanding Achievement in International Probate Research 2019 – Jan-Mathis Holstein
The Best Probate Law Firms 2019
- UK (Scotland) – McClures Solicitors
- UK (North) – Ramsdens Solicitors
- UK (Central) – Blake Morgan
- UK (South) – Coole Bevis
- UK (London) – Blandy and Blandy
In addition, the silent auction benefited Age UK and the Dania School bursary to the tune of £1,000.
Commenting on Finders International’s awards, founder and managing director Danny Curran said:
“We are very grateful to all our supporters and international colleagues for their support and are delighted to be recognised as the best in our field in this way.”
For more information about the awards and the winners, visit the Probate Research Awards website. If you would like to contact Finders International please visit the website www.findersinternational.co.uk email [email protected] or call Freephone 0800 085 8796 (UK only).
Thames Valley: Blandy & Blandy wins regional law award
Thames Valley law firm Blandy & Blandy LLP was among the winners at the 2019 UK Probate Research Awards in London.
On the night, which promised to single out ‘the best of the best’, Blandy & Blandy LLP was named Best Probate Law Firm – London/South East, with partner Caroline Casagranda joined by six colleagues from the firm’s probate, tax & trusts team to celebrate.
Home to one of the largest and most established private client teams in the region, Blandy & Blandy is ranked as a top-tier firm in both of the UK’s leading guides to law firms, Chambers and The Legal 500.
Casagranda said: “We are delighted to have been named as the leading law firm in London and the south east of England advising on probate related matters. Congratulations and thank you to our dedicated and hardworking team.
“We are committed to providing our clients with highly effective legal advice, an understanding, helpful and supportive service and an excellent overall experience and believe that this award firmly reflects that.”
this article has been first published in