Rachel Roche, owner of Roche Legal.
Rachel Roche is the owner of Roche Legal, a specialist will and probate law firm. She believes the most important new year resolution families can make is to ensure they have made or updated their wills. This is to help avoid lengthy probate delays that have triggered a House of Commons inquiry.
The House of Commons justice committee has reacted to concerns over the growing processing time for probate applications. They have submitted a call for evidence. The waiting time for probate almost doubled from April 2022 to April 2023. Reports cited cases of probate taking more than eleven months and practitioners advising clients that probate will take at least nine months.
Rachel said: “During the height of the pandemic making a will became a significant factor but we have now slipped back into concentrating on other things.”
Sir Bob Neill MP, chair of the justice committee, revealed concerns. He said: “Families across the country have faced challenges in navigating the probate system, with reports of rogue traders and poor practice, as well as significant delays.”
More than 30 million people in the UK are still without a will despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Even those people who have made a will need to regularly check that the details are up to date. This is to recognise any changes in circumstance, including remarriage. “Regularly updating your will makes sure your wishes are recognised and can reflect any changes such as disputes with family members.” Rachel explained.
In addition to making a will, individuals need to address the question of arranging a lasting power of attorney (LPA). Rachel explains: “ An LPA could help to protect you and your family if you were left unable to make decisions for yourself. Making a will or an LPA just in case could make all the difference to your loved ones if they were ever needed.”
Image: Roche Legal
