Probate Consultancy
A professional probate consultancy and guidance service for probate practitioners in England & Wales.
A professional probate consultancy and guidance service for probate practitioners in England & Wales.
I began my career in the Probate Service in 1968 at the Nottingham District Probate Registry. As my career developed I found myself working in the Birmingham, Winchester and Manchester District Probate Registries eventually becoming the District Probate Registrar at the Birmingham and finally, the Manchester District Probate Registries.
I contributed to the major reference work Williams Mortimer & Sunnucks (19th edition) and lectured on the professional circuit to audiences at such places as Old Trafford Football Stadium, Leeds Armoury and the NEC, Birmingham. I also wrote and delivered technical training briefs to senior probate service staff.
I began the consultancy mainly providing a service to practitioners in the North West but, as time has passed, my client base has spread further ranging from North Wales to the South East of England. I like to think that the service I provide echoes the traditional service that was once given by the court. I find that practitioners like to be reassured that their papers etc. are in order, given that these days when papers are rejected by the court, long delays ensue .
Since my departure the Probate Service has radically changed. The settling of drafts and the availability of guidance to practitioners has virtually disappeared and the process of applying for a grant of representation, completely changed. I provide a traditional settling service and will look at any document referred to me to ensure it meets the requirements of the court. I will, if requested, draft any papers required to support an application for a grant of representation. I am also available to examine and report on completed forms PA1P or PA1A or complete the forms from scratch.
I conduct the vast majority of my business via email. Draft papers are sent to me and returned to the practitioner in settled form ready for printing off. Guidance and drafted papers are also delivered the same way. However, I have a number of clients who prefer to send me their papers in hard copy and I am very happy to proceed on this basis. Other clients like to mix and match and I have the flexibility to accommodate whatever is required.