Working in wills and probate can be a rewarding legal career in the UK. It involves helping people write wills, manage estates after someone dies, and apply for probate – the legal process of dealing with a person’s property, money, and possessions after their death. Quite frankly, everyone deals with wills and probate at some point in their life – making it a recession-proof and often lucrative career.
Many people turn to legal professionals for help in this area because it can be a sensitive and complex process.
What Are The Qualifications You Need To Work in Wills and Probate?
To become a wills and probate professional, you usually need legal training. Many people start by qualifying as a solicitor through a law degree or a law conversion course, followed by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Another route is to become a legal executive through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). Both routes require legal training and experience working in a legal environment. Some firms may also hire paralegals who have experience or a legal qualification but are not yet fully qualified solicitors or legal executives.
If you want to become a probate practitioner without being a solicitor, you can apply to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which also licenses probate professionals. This can be a useful route if you’re more interested in the technical side of probate work rather than general legal practice.
The Skills That Help You Succeed in Wills and Probate
Working in this field requires a mix of legal knowledge and people skills. Someone that works in probate or is responsible for writing wills, must be professional, organised, have strong attention to detail, and be able to explain legal terms in plain language. Because the work often involves helping people at difficult times in their lives, empathy and good communication are very important.
Being able to manage several cases at once and meet deadlines is also key, as probate can be a long and detailed process.
What Are The Salaries in Wills and Probate?
Salaries in wills and probate vary depending on your experience and location. A junior paralegal or legal assistant might earn between £18,000 and £25,000 a year. A newly qualified solicitor can expect to earn from £30,000 to £45,000.
With more experience, especially in London or large firms, salaries can rise to £60,000 or more. Senior probate professionals or partners in firms can earn even higher amounts. In general, the demand for wills and probate services keeps pay steady and job opportunities strong.
What is The Demand for Wills in the UK?
Around 4 out of 10 adults in the UK have a will, which means that many people still need help writing one. Each year, it’s estimated that over 1 million wills are written in the UK. In 2023 alone, there were over 278,000 probate applications made to the HM Courts and Tribunals Service. This shows just how many families and individuals rely on legal professionals to help manage estates and follow a loved one’s wishes after death.
Is Wills and Probate a Steady Career Path?
Wills and probate is one area of law that is always in demand. People will always need help planning what happens to their assets when they die. As a result, the field offers a stable and meaningful career path for those who enjoy working with people and solving real-life problems. With the right qualifications and the right approach, it can be a fulfilling long-term profession.
