Will banks or Will databases, depending on what vernacular you use, are a vital asset when building your private client department.
The potential of cross-selling opportunities that comes from a Wills client: whether that be for future probate or Will reviews; other private client work such as Lasting Powers of Attorney and estate and succession planning, or across departments into property conveyancing, family law and beyond – it is a solid base to work from, that is fixed due to the holding of a Will.
As such, growing your Will bank is an astute way forward for further business growth. Increasing your efforts in marketing Will writing services will go a long way, either locally or even through online marketing, to create a greater demand for your Will writing services.
The market for Will writing is more competitive than ever, and as such law firms in particular need to find ways to stand out with their offering. Firms need to differentiate themselves based on product rather than on price and process – mainly due to the fact that competition from online and DIY sources in particular have attempted to corner the market on those factors.
One of the ways you can offer more is through The National Will Register and Will registration. By registering your client’s Will, those who should be privy to the Will such as executors, beneficiaries and attorneys (in cases of a Lasting Power of Attorney) can easily search for the Will when it is needed by conducting a Certainty Will Search. The Will would still be held by the firm who registers the Will, and The National Will Register would pass on the searcher’s details to the holding firm to contact directly, provided they are privy to information on the Will.
Will registration is either £30 plus VAT when done ad hoc, or free if the registering firm is a member of The National Will Register, as part of their membership credits. This provides a tangible benefit from a price and value perspective for prospective clients when writing Wills, but also positions the firm as one that values security and peace of mind for clients as well. This customer value approach is what would differentiate you in this competitive market.
Membership with The National Will Register
Law firms can become members of The National Will Register, giving them access to a number of useful benefits for their private client department including:
- Free Will bank/database registration
- Free ad-hoc Will registration
- 1440 Certainty Will Search credits
- Access to our online TOUCH Will management platform
- First access to our Expert Webinar series
- Exposure opportunities for your firm including a listing on our ‘find a Wills and Probate solicitor’ page and opportunities to submit case studies, articles and lead webinars
We have many endorsements and affiliations with key organisations in the legal profession including The Law Society, Citizens Advice, The Gazette, SFE, as well as legal opinions from Thomas Dumont KC and referenced in practice notes by Lexis Nexis, Practical Law Company, the Law Society’s Probate Practitioners Handbook and Tolley’s Administration of Estates.
We’re also featured on PII forms and guidance, used by the Government Legal Department (Bona Vacantia Division) as well as The Official Solicitor website.
Click to enquire about membership for your firm