A deeply personal tragedy is the inspiration behind a new book launched by will writer Steve Bish, and the topic of discussion on the latest Today’s Wills and Probate podcast.

Bish is somewhat typical of many will writers who have unconventional routes in to the legal profession. His own career began in sales, marketing, training and recruitment, before running a traditional wooden window manufacturing business.

But the untimely and tragic death of a friend led Bish to retrain and become a will writer after supporting the family of his friend, and helping deal with the legal aftermath.

Close friend Carl was killed in a traffic collision during a scooter ride the pair were taking one evening. Carl died without a will, leaving his wife Anne and young daughter to navigate the rules of intestacy at the worst possible time. Witnessing their struggle left an imprint on Steve that inspired him to retrain.

He now spends a huge amount of time and energy advising clients on the importance of estate planning; a motivation that ultimately fuelled the creation of his book. He didn’t want a dry technical manual or a textbook that gathers dust. Instead, he aimed for a plain‑English, conversational guide, the kind of resource people could pick up, dip in and out of, and actually understand. The tone echoes how he speaks at WI and Rotary talks: relatable, humorous, accessible and packed with real‑world examples.

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way is now available to purchase, with a proportion of each sale being donated to the Kaotic Angel Foundation.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group

Estate planning is changing; demand is rising, lifestyles are changing, family structures are becoming more complex, and taxation is crippling. Clients no longer want, or indeed need, a simple will. They want a plan. Something reviewed regularly. Something that adapts as life changes.

It's the topic of the latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast as host David Opie welcome Andrew Houston, Managing Director of CTT Group on to discuss his views on moving away from traditional transactional work toward a model where ongoing service will become the norm.

With a nod to CTT's founder and industry innovator Clive Ponder, whose death just over 12 months ago came as a great shock, innovation and technology will be at the core of how we as an industry deliver the future of estate planning services.

AI is already reshaping training, advice quality, and client engagement; indeed CTT themselves have invested heavily in an in-house AI simulator, which allows advisers to practise conversations with a virtual client. It tests technical knowledge. It tests soft skills. And it provides instant feedback. A far cry from the old model of supervisors shadowing advisers in person.

Clients expect speed. Consistency and transparency in the all important fact find which, with the ever evolving legal landscape and rise in contentious matters, makes the role of technology in capturing information, prompting the right questions, and creating clear audit trails, all the more important.

Technology, says Houston, is the enabler.

There will of course be winners and losers. Firms that fail to evolve will fall behind. The winners will be those who continue to innovate. Those who embrace data. Those who refine the client journey. The next three years, he predicts, will bring rapid acceleration and possibly start to see a hugely fragmented market, consolidate.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group

The latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast dives into one of the most pressing conversations in private client work: how technology can transform the way people create and register Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Host David Opie welcomes Matt Cresswell, founder of Power of Attorney Online, for a discussion about modernising a process that millions still find confusing, slow and inaccessible.

Like many founder stories, Matt's own route into the sector is far from traditional. After his father’s dementia diagnosis, Matt and his family struggled through an LPA process that was expensive, error‑prone and emotionally draining. His background in advertising, marketing and eight years at Facebook/Meta “planted a seed that maybe there’s a better way”.

The discussion explores why awareness of LPAs remains so low, despite their importance. Digitisation offers a huge opportunity for technology to improve accuracy, speed and user confidence suggests Matt, which would go some way to tackling the 50,000 applications rejected each year due to basic mistakes.

Digital tools aren’t designed to replace solicitors says Matt. Power of Attorney Online is a “Goldilocks” solution: guidance‑led, affordable and perfectly suited to straightforward applications, while more complex or sensitive cases remain firmly in the hands of legal professionals.

There is an opportunity for everyone concludes Matt. The sector can grow the market together, raise public understanding, and make LPAs easier for the millions who still don’t have one.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group

The latest episode of Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast welcomes Angus Houston, founding director of Pavilion Row, in conversation with host David Opie.

Angus shares the story behind Pavilion Row’s creation and its mission to support professionals working in wills and probate. He reflects on the early challenges of establishing a business in such a sensitive area and the values that continue to guide its growth.

A key theme of the discussion is trust. Angus explains how Pavilion Row has built long‑standing relationships by prioritising transparency and reliability, ensuring practitioners and their clients feel supported at every stage.

The conversation also explores innovation. From adapting to regulatory changes to embracing new technologies, Angus highlights how Pavilion Row has remained agile while keeping its focus firmly on people. He stresses that progress in the sector must always balance efficiency with empathy, emphasising the responsibility professionals carry, and the importance of compassion alongside technical expertise.

He doesn't shy away from the bigger picture either, discussing the evolving landscape of wills and probate, the pressures facing practitioners, and the opportunities for collaboration across the sector.

Another 'must listen' from the Today's Wills and Probate podcast

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group

"Be prepared, because the person who turns up might be that bloke who used to read the News at 10."

Journalist and broadcaster Alastair Stewart OBE joins the first podcast of the latest series of the Today's Wills and Probate Podcast to discuss his personal journey and challenges of living with vascular dementia. In a candid and personal discussion Stewart shares details of his early life, and formative influences which took him from Southern Television to a long career with ITN and later GB News, becoming one of the country's most recognisable broadcasters.

His journey to diagnosis, like many, begins long before confirmation in 2023. Stewart’s symptoms first showed in subtle ways before he was encouraged to visit his GP.

The discussion reflects on the impact of dementia both on Alastair himself, and his family. He touches on the role professional services play in making him feel 'safer' and better prepared for the future and provides some candid advice for practitioners on how to support clients living with dementia.

Honest, moving, and at times surprisingly uplifting, Alastair offers an eye‑opening perspective on a condition that is misunderstood and “terrifyingly common, but not terrifying.”

For practitioners supporting clients with cognitive decline, this episode is not only insightful—it is essential listening.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group

With private equity funding fuelling the UK legal services market the Today's Wills and Probate podcast welcomes one of the latest additions to the cohort, Vault Private Client, to the podcast.

Vault is the newest practice within the Beyond Law Group; a private equity backed legal services firm which describes itself as 'a disruptive, non-traditional law firm that builds and manages specialist practices, each operating independently within a central infrastructure and a people-focused culture.'

Podcast host David Opie is joined by Russell Kaminski, Partner at Vault, and Lucy Cresswell, Associate, who share the story of the launch of Vault and how it fits into Beyond’s ambitious growth model.

Russell's own background is Manchester based, having been at Brabners and JMW prior to leading Vault. His focus has always been advising high‑net‑worth individuals, business owners, and families on succession planning and estate matters. Lucy describes her progression from an admin role at JMW to qualifying as a solicitor with extensive experience in probate, estate administration, and inheritance tax planning.

The conversation explores why Beyond Law Group identified private client services as a natural extension to its corporate, family, and property practices. With strong demand in the North West, the firm says it makes it their mission to make estate planning an opportunity rather than a burden. They highlight the importance of regulated, holistic advice that protects assets, mitigates tax, and avoids disputes.

The model is collaborative. Clients benefit from a trusted network of accountants, wealth managers, and other advisors, ensuring joined‑up solutions. Private equity backing gives the team freedom to build long‑term relationships rather than chase short‑term wins.

Culture is another theme. Beyond prides itself on being supportive, entrepreneurial, and people‑focused. Staff at every level are encouraged to contribute ideas and shape the firm’s direction.

The podcast finishes exploring the importance of business development and the role on and offline presence plays in the success of legal services. Vault's ambition is clear: to become the leading boutique private client law firm in the UK.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group

To what extent do women feel as though there is a glass ceiling in law and how can we overcome that? That is the question posed in the latest episode of the Today’s Wills and Probate podcast, as host David Opie sits down with Cara Doyle and Katie Howard from JMW Solicitors to explore gender equality in the legal profession.

Cara is a solicitor in the firm’s private wealth team, advising clients on wills, trusts, probate, and charitable structures. Katie is a partner in the family team, specialising in divorce, financial settlements, and protective orders. Their work often overlaps, offering clients a holistic approach to life’s most sensitive legal matters.

The conversation begins with personal stories and how Katie and Cara each enter the legal professions... neither of their journey's is straight forward and both reflect on the state of gender equality in law. While neither has faced overt discrimination, they acknowledge structural issues in employment, particularly around parental leave and the gender pay gap.

There has been progress, with post-COVID flexibility helping to level the playing field, but more progress is needed.

The discussion also explores the value of women-focused initiatives like Women in Wills. Initially sceptical, Cara found the experience empowering. Katie highlighted how women-only networking events can offer a more inclusive space, especially in male-dominated sectors.

Looking ahead, Cara is pursuing STEP accreditation and expanding JMW’s presence in Leeds. Katie is focused on mentoring junior colleagues and championing diverse routes into law.

Their message is clear: representation matters, and with the right support, women in law can thrive.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group

As more than half of lawyers say they anticipate leaving their role within the next five years because of poor mental health and wellbeing, the latest Today's Wills and Probate Podcast tackles the issue head on with a wide ranging discussion on what organisations can do to protect their staff.

Joining the podcast are Trish McLellan and Niamh Warnock of LawCare; a mental health and wellbeing charity focused on the legal services sector. It has published the results of its survey into the wellbeing of those working across legal services; with concerning results.

Alongside the half of lawyers who said they anticipates leaving their role in the next 5 years, a third said they anticipated leaving the legal sector completely. The normalisation of overworking plays a sizeable role in high levels of burnout and anxiety undermining mental health and wellbeing. 79% of respondents said they regularly work beyond their contracted hours, with nearly 10% saying they worked 21 or more hours.

Half of respondents said they had experienced anxiety either often, very often, or all of the time over the last 12 months.

All of which suggests the sector faces a 'turning point' with both Trish and Niamh keen to point out there are things organisations can do proactively to support staff and tackle the nearly two thirds of workers who consider their mental health to be ‘poor’.

"What’s needed is strong leadership and the commitment to put them in place" said LawCare CEO Elizabeth Rimmer.

There are clear, practical steps that can be taken right now and outlined in the report that lead to a healthier sector, including actively managing workloads to prevent burnout, embedding flexible and hybrid working practices that recognise and support diverse needs and evaluating workplace mental health and wellbeing initiatives to ensure they deliver real impact - equipping people coming into the profession to help them have a sustainable career in law.

The case has been made; we don’t need more evidence. It is time to move on from discussing the problems to implementing solutions.

Read Life in the Law 2025 here on the LawCare website.

The Today's Wills and Probate podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates, and Property Ladder Group