IPW - Institute of Professional Willwriters

IPW - Institute of Professional Willwriters Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) sets standards and regulates specialist Willwriters b. c. To promote the Institute and the services of its Members. d.

Founded in 1990 as membership organisation, which is owned by its members, the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) (and its sister organisation in Scotland, the Institute of Scottish Professional Willwriters, ISPW), the objects of the Institute are:-

a. To make representation to Government on legislative matters which affect Members of the Institute and their clients. To promote the impo

rtance of making a Will to the general public. To ensure that the services provided by its Members are delivered professionally ethically and competently. All Institute members must:

1) Sit and pass an examination in Wills and related subjected, this examination is independently marked

2) Complete an assessment of their interview and advice skills

3) Arrange professional indemnity insurance of at least £2million

4) Complete Continued professional Development of at least 20 hours per year in subjected relating to Wills, Trusts and Estates

5) Comply with a Code of Practice which is approved and monitored by the Trading Standards Institute under their Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. As of June 2013 the Institute has just over 900 members working in 265 firms across England Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These firms range from 'one man bands' to firms employing hundreds of people.

For many people, their home is their most valuable asset.It's also often the asset that creates the most questions when ...
22/06/2026

For many people, their home is their most valuable asset.

It's also often the asset that creates the most questions when it comes to estate planning.

Should it pass automatically to a spouse?

What happens in a second marriage?

How can children from previous relationships be protected?

What role can trusts play?

In our latest blog, we explore why the family home is often at the centre of estate planning decisions and the key issues that should be considered when putting arrangements in place.

Topics include:

✔ Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common
✔ Blended families and second marriages
✔ Property trusts
✔ Care fee considerations
✔ Reducing the risk of future disputes

Read the full article on our website 👉🏼 https://www.ipw.org.uk/blog/the-family-home-one-asset-multiple-estate-planning-challenges.aspx

Some clients require more than standard Willwriting advice.Understanding the challenges faced by elderly clients and fam...
19/06/2026

Some clients require more than standard Willwriting advice.

Understanding the challenges faced by elderly clients and families with disabled beneficiaries is an essential part of delivering high-quality, professional estate planning services.

This July, the IPW is offering two specialist training webinars designed to help Willwriters build their knowledge, confidence and practical skills in these important areas:

📅 Advising Clients with Disabled Beneficiaries – 8th July
https://www.ipw.org.uk/events/advising-clients-with-disabled-beneficiaries-.aspx

📅 Advising Elderly Clients – 15th July
https://www.ipw.org.uk/events/advising-elderly-clients-wednesday-15th-july-2026.aspx

Both sessions provide practical guidance to help you better support clients whose circumstances often require additional care, consideration and planning.

Develop your expertise. Support your clients with confidence.

Many people still believe in the concept of a "common law spouse".The reality is that unmarried couples often have far f...
18/06/2026

Many people still believe in the concept of a "common law spouse".

The reality is that unmarried couples often have far fewer legal protections than they expect – particularly when it comes to inheritance and intestacy.

The Government is currently consulting on potential reforms to cohabitation rights, which could have significant implications for families and estate planning.

In our latest article, we explore what these proposals could mean and why having a valid, up-to-date Will remains as important as ever.

Read the full article below.
https://www.ipw.org.uk/blog/cohabitation-reform-why-estate-planners-should-be-paying-attention.aspx

💻 Cryptocurrency and Estate Planning Workshops in JulyDigital assets are no longer a niche issue.An increasing number of...
17/06/2026

💻 Cryptocurrency and Estate Planning Workshops in July

Digital assets are no longer a niche issue.

An increasing number of clients now hold cryptocurrency and other digital assets, yet many estate plans fail to address the practical and legal challenges they can create.

Would you know the right questions to ask?

Would you know how to identify potential risks for clients, beneficiaries and practitioners?

This practical workshop will help you understand:

✔ What cryptocurrency and digital assets actually are

✔ How clients typically hold them

✔ The impact of the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025

✔ Will drafting considerations

✔ Estate administration challenges

✔ How to protect clients, beneficiaries and yourself

📅 Upcoming Dates:
• 2nd July 2026 - https://plutus-crypto-consulting.newzenler.com/live-webinar/ipw2ndjuly26/register
• 8th July 2026 - https://www.ipw.org.uk/events/cryptocurrency-and-estate-planning-workshop-thursday-8th-july-2026.aspx

Gain the knowledge and confidence to advise clients in this rapidly evolving area of estate planning.

"I honestly didn't think I would get much out of it. I was wrong."That's how one delegate with 35 years' experience as a...
17/06/2026

"I honestly didn't think I would get much out of it. I was wrong."

That's how one delegate with 35 years' experience as a financial adviser described our Lifetime Trusts course.

Another called it:
"A genuinely valuable day for any practitioner working in this area."

If you've been considering expanding your knowledge of trust-based estate planning, this practical, interactive webinar is designed to give you the confidence to understand, explain and apply lifetime trusts in real client situations.

📅 Tuesday 30th June 2026
🕙 10:00am – 4:00pm
💻 Online Webinar
💷 Members £249

Join Paul Hutchinson and Peter Burton for a structured, engaging day of learning that goes far beyond theory and focuses on practical application.

Places are limited.
https://www.ipw.org.uk/events/make-booking.aspx?guid=a92e1d78-4576-43dd-bae4-1f4f09eafb38

Many business owners have a Will.Far fewer have a plan for what happens to their business if they're no longer around.Wh...
16/06/2026

Many business owners have a Will.

Far fewer have a plan for what happens to their business if they're no longer around.

Who would run it?

Who would have access to key accounts and information?

What happens to shares, partnerships, employees and ongoing contracts?

Without proper planning, even a successful business can face uncertainty at exactly the wrong time.

In our latest blog, we explore:

✔ What happens to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies after death
✔ Why business succession planning matters
✔ The role of shareholder and partnership agreements
✔ How Business Lasting Powers of Attorney can help
✔ Why a Will may only be one part of the solution

If you own a business, it's worth asking whether your plans protect more than just your personal assets.

Read the full article on our website 👉🏼 https://www.ipw.org.uk/blog/what-happens-to-your-business-when-you-die.aspx

Trustee powers can have a significant impact on how effectively a trust operates.But where do those powers come from, wh...
15/06/2026

Trustee powers can have a significant impact on how effectively a trust operates.

But where do those powers come from, when should they be used and how do you explain them clearly to clients?

Our **Introduction to Trustees' Powers Webinar** provides a practical introduction to this important area of Willwriting, helping practitioners understand the purpose of trustee powers and how they can be applied in different circumstances.

Course outcomes include:

✔ Understanding the purpose of trustee powers
✔ Identifying where trustee powers come from
✔ Understanding which powers are appropriate in different situations
✔ Explaining trustee powers clearly to clients

📅 Thursday 23rd July 2026
💻 Online Webinar
⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm

💷 Members Only: £80

We recommend this webinar for practitioners who have passed, or are studying for, the IPW Full Members Examination (or equivalent).

https://www.ipw.org.uk/events/make-booking.aspx?guid=ba23746d-6e86-4c46-8cec-61b0b46d1705

Trusts are one of the most powerful tools available in estate planning.But knowing when to use them, how they work and h...
12/06/2026

Trusts are one of the most powerful tools available in estate planning.

But knowing when to use them, how they work and how to explain them clearly to clients can be a challenge for newly qualified Willwriters.

Our **Introduction to Will Trusts** webinar is designed to provide a practical introduction to the law and application of Will Trusts, helping delegates build confidence in this important area of estate planning.

During this full-day webinar, delegates will explore:

✔ What Will Trusts are
✔ Why Trusts are used
✔ The role of trustees
✔ How trustees are appointed
✔ The practical application of Trusts within estate planning

📅 Wednesday 22nd July 2026
💻 Online Webinar
⏰ 10:00am – 5:00pm

👥 Maximum 12 delegates

💷 Members £140
💷 Non-Members £200

Ideal for newly qualified Willwriters looking to strengthen their technical knowledge and confidence when advising clients.

💻 https://www.ipw.org.uk/events/make-booking.aspx?guid=b6713f25-2aa0-4597-a763-5f9118d0ef3b
📞 0345 257 2570
📧 [email protected]

Most people spend a lot of time deciding who should inherit their estate.Far fewer spend the same amount of time decidin...
11/06/2026

Most people spend a lot of time deciding who should inherit their estate.

Far fewer spend the same amount of time deciding who should administer it.

Yet choosing the right executor can be one of the most important decisions in your Will.

An executor may be responsible for dealing with Probate, paying debts, handling HMRC matters, managing assets and ensuring beneficiaries receive their inheritance correctly.

So who should you choose? A family member? A friend? A professional?

In our latest blog, we explore:

✔ What an executor actually does
✔ Whether you should appoint more than one executor
✔ Common mistakes people make
✔ When a professional executor may be appropriate
✔ The questions you should ask before making your decision

Read the full article on our website 👉🏼 https://www.ipw.org.uk/blog/executors-who-should-you-choose-and-what-could-go-wrong.aspx

⚠️ HMRC Money Laundering Regulation Changes – What Professional Will Writers Need to KnowThere has been considerable dis...
10/06/2026

⚠️ HMRC Money Laundering Regulation Changes – What Professional Will Writers Need to Know

There has been considerable discussion across the profession following HMRC's recent changes to the Money Laundering Regulations.

If you're unsure whether the changes affect your business, whether HMRC registration may now be required, or where the line sits between will writing and regulated TCSP activity, this practical member briefing is designed to help.

The webinar will cover:
✔ What the changes mean in practice
✔ Whether submitting IHT forms or registering trusts may bring firms into scope
✔ Common scenarios affecting professional will writers
✔ The three-month grace period for businesses that may need to register
✔ Practical next steps for members

📅 Wednesday 2026
🕚 11:00am
💷 £25 per person

Presented by Sue Ioannou TEP FIPW FCMI, Head of Training.
https://www.ipw.org.uk/events/make-booking.aspx?guid=c80a9b30-eb0a-450f-b47e-866fa0395e5b

If you cannot attend live, a recording will be made available afterwards.

Address

Halesowen
B633

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443452572570

Website

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