In recent years, the probate process in England and Wales has undergone a digital transformation. With the introduction of online services by HMCTS (Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service) and HMRC’s efforts to streamline Inheritance Tax reporting, Executors and legal professionals have seen significant changes to the way estates are administered.

On 13 February 2025, His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) published its latest probate submission report. While the data suggests significant progress in handling probate caseloads, the reality highlights areas that still require improvement. For our partners, this update provides essential insights into the probate process and how these changes affect estate administration for the clients they refer to us.

Throughout 2024, there were a number of legal industry updates and news stories that affected the Wills and probate sector. We’ve summarised some of the key changes and ongoing discussions that could affect professionals and their clients in 2025.

We're delighted that our Legal Services Director, Charlotte Toogood, recently joined the latest episode of the Today's Wills and Probate podcast, "Shared experience; insight and best practice in estate administration", as a special guest. Charlotte has over 16 years of experience working within estate administration and is a qualified solicitor and STEP qualified practitioner. Her role at Kings Court Trust involves using her specialised knowledge on both simple and complex cases, to provide technical support and skills training to our Case Managers and their teams. Throughout the episode, Charlotte imparts her experience on a wide variety of subjects, and reflects on how both client's and practitioner's needs have changed over the years.

When a Testator creates a Will, whether through a professional Will Writer or by preparing it themselves, they carefully decide on the gifts they wish to leave to their loved ones. However, if an abatement occurs, these gifts may not be fully distributed as intended. Instead, they might need to be used to pay off outstanding debts and expenses.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a significant concern for many families in the UK. With frozen thresholds and increasing property values, more estates are subject to this tax. This blog explores the essentials of IHT and offers insights into mitigating its impact. While we are experts in estate administration, we do not provide financial advice. Our goal is to assist your clients with the probate process and support partners in delivering comprehensive estate planning services.

The fee for applying for a Grant of Probate in England and Wales is set to rise in May 2024. Currently, it costs £273 per application as per The Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order 2004. The proposed new rate is £300. This will apply to all estates valued over £5,000; estates under this threshold do not have to pay a fee.

According to data from the Ministry of Justice, Will disputes are on the rise.

Throughout 2023, there were a number of legal industry updates and news stories that affected the Wills and probate sector. We’ve summarised some of the key changes and the ongoing discussions that could affect professionals and their clients in 2024.