Wills & Probate
© InHouse Wills
About InHouse Wills
At InHouse you don’t just deal with an instruction taker who works from a limited set of options. You meet with Peter Wood - an experienced Will writer and Probate consultant who can advise you about a wide range of choices - from simple Wills to complex estate planning and Will trusts and who then personally drafts the document(s) to meet your requirements.
InHouse Wills is the trading name of Peter Wood, based on the outskirts of Leicester, in Leicester Forest East.
“In 2003 I was trained by one of the country’s largest Will writing organisations, as an ‘instruction taker’ - visiting clients at home to let them choose from a menu of Will options. However I quickly realised that although the technical training I had received was fine, I could not agree with the way the firm treated its clients - such as offering cheap Wills but then overcharging with annual charges for Will storage, or charging them up-front for a Probate service they might never use. Hence I became independent, under the name of InHouse Wills. Working for myself I can ensure that I treat my clients as I would wish to be treated myself and I am not restricted by corporate rules or ways of thinking.”
Initially InHouse was a very active member of the Society of Will Writers (SWW), who provided ongoing training, conferences and a forum to swap ideas with fellow professionals. However, in April 2010 membership was moved across to the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW), in preparation for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) approving the IPW’s Code of Practice (this approval and ongoing monitoring now comes under the Trading Standards Institute).
“No Code of Practice is perfect, but the IPW sets a high standard to help protect all consumers and I wanted to play my part in that.”
Included in the IPW Code of Practice is a requirement to keep up to date with at least 20 hours each year of relevant Continuing Professional Development. Members must also have in place Professional Indemnity Insurance, for the protection of clients’ interests. InHouse Wills is registered under the Data Protection Act and conforms with Money Laundering regulations.
“In 2004 I was approached by Kings Court Trust Corporation, to become one of their first Probate consultants as they developed their leading national Probate and Estate Administration service. The additional training and practical experience showed me just how the Wills that I write are put into practice. It also let me see the good and bad points of hundreds of Wills drafted by solicitors or other Will writers. As a result I have an invaluable insight into creating the best Will today to protect your family’s inheritance in the future.”
More recently InHouse Wills has taken to working with other selected solicitors and specialists. These allow InHouse clients to take advantage of additional services which can enhance the operation of their Will and improve their family’s overall estate planning. All Will writing, Probate and Lasting Power of Attorney services are available via a home visit.
Recently I have acted as an examiner for the IPW, testing those taking the basic Will writing course to assess their ability to interview clients, provide suitable advice and then draft an appropriate Will.
Following appropriate further training I am now also affiliated to the Association of Community Funeral Advisers. This allows me to assist clients and their families in planning a funeral, to ensure that it is personal to the individual without having to cost a fortune.