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Enhancing consumer protection, reducing regulatory restrictions: will-writing, probate and estate administration activities

17 July 2012

Introduction

Enhancing consumer protection (Adobe Acrobat Document 59kb)

Citizens Advice welcomes the proposed introduction of regulation for will-writers and probate service providers. We have long argued that a statutory system is needed for the regulation of will writing and probate activities and that this could achievable through minor changes to the Legal Services Act 2007. There is a strong economic case for regulation - the value of property and complexity of families means that a good system for regulating will-making and probate are vital. Some 70 per cent of UK households are owner occupiers and families are often complex in terms of inheritance, including divorce, re-marriage, long and short term partnerships and children born into one household but living in another. Yet 27 million people in the UK have not made will, according to Consumer Focus’ 2009 research - around a half to two thirds of the UK adult population.