InHouse Wills & Probate
Institute of Professional Willwriters
InHouse Wills & Probate is a member of the IPW. Why is that important?
You can view the IPW Code of Practice here.
IPW Gains OFT Approval
1 June 2010: The Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) has achieved Office of Fair Trading (OFT) approval for its code of practice under the Consumer Code of Approval Scheme (CCAS) The IPW and its members are the only Will writers to meet this high standard.
The IPW is a trade body for Will writers whose members provide consumers with Will writing services, assistance in estate planning and related legal services. The IPW currently has 190 full members representing an estimated 20 per cent of independent Will writing businesses in the UK.
The approval means that consumers using an IPW member (such as InHouse Wills & Probate) to make a Will are safe in the knowledge that code approved members operate to a higher standard of consumer protection than the law requires. IPW code members are required to:
- pass an entrance exam and complete ongoing professional training
- provide consumers with a minimum seven day cooling off period
- complete work within strict time frames, agreed with the client
- protect consumer prepayments and deposits in the event that a member is unable to provide the promised service, and
- provide consumers with access to a low cost, independent redress scheme in case things go wrong
Paul Sharpe, chairman of the IPW, said:
’The loss of a loved one is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. Everyone should make a Will, and that Will should be made right first time because there will not be an opportunity to come back to have another go at getting it right. It is crucially important that consumers receive the highest standard of service from properly trained and qualified professionals. With IPW’s OFT Approved code, consumers can tell at a glance that businesses will provide them with the highest standards.’
Aileen Armstrong, director in the OFT’s Consumer Group, said:
‘We congratulate the Institute of Professional Willwriters on this achievement, and will work closely with it to ensure that these high standards are maintained.’
You can view the IPW Code of Practice here.