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Here are two recent testimonials from members

Here at ELM Legal Services we pride ourselves on giving pertinent advice to the situation at hand. This obviously entails having the requisite knowledge to draw from and having training which is appropriate is an absolute necessity. The Fellowship appreciates that in a currently unregulated market and taking into consideration the grey area the industry seems to be in, between Clementi and the implementation of the recommendations, there are individuals who have no regard toward the needs of their clients. These individuals can give erroneous advice and subsequently produce documents that do not fit the needs of the client.

Having a sensible structure of training backed by Edexcel BTEC can only enhance the industry as a whole and secure the industry for those who believe that good advice is not a by-product of a sale but an absolute pre-requisite of any client meeting.

James Emsley, E.L.M Legal Services

Having spent a considerable amount of time searching for a viable business opportunity, a good friend currently involved in the financial services sector, suggested I take a look at Will Writing. After some basic research, I concluded this was the opportunity I had been searching for. With estimates varying between 60 and 70% of the UK population being without a will, there is obviously a market out there.

My next step was to make initial contact with the governing body. This is where the problems began. One click on Google threw up a plethora of societies and bodies claiming to represent the Will Writing profession. Alongside the inevitable expensive franchises and “fool proof” business plans. Many of these organisations offered in house training courses leading to various qualifications. None of which I recognised.

After a few false starts, I finally discovered a bonifide qualification. The Fellowship of Professional Willwriters and Probate Practitioners offering an Edexcel BTEC qualification in Will Writing & Probate. This was the kind of qualification I was looking for, namely structured recognised distance learning. Following an informal and informative meeting with a Business Development Manager from FPWPP Training Specialists, I have now taken my first steps to a qualification in Will Writing and Probate.

The added benefit of this particular course is that it has the backing of a representative professional body, with an independent regulatory board.

The Fellowship has already proved itself in offering invaluable help in my fledgling steps to a career in Will Writing and Probate.

I am sure with changes in regulation under the 2007 Legal Services Act, opening up the market, there is a bright future for the will writing sector. This of course assuming the general public has confidence in Will Writers and their governing bodies. Recognised qualifications and bodies like the Fellowship are surely the key.

Philip Brignell, Willwriter