Over the past few weeks, we’ve been running our Fact Find poll series on LinkedIn, asking estate planning professionals like you, to share their thoughts on the future of our profession. The response gave us a fascinating snapshot of what professionals across the UK are thinking, and some strong themes emerged. Let’s take a look into the findings:
What clients most overlook
The clear leader here was Lasting Powers of Attorney, with almost half of you saying these are still the underestimated element of estate planning. Digital assets came next, reminding us just how quickly this area is growing in importance and shaping the way we approach managing estates. A smaller group highlighted the need for clients to regularly update their Wills, something we all know is all to often overlooked.
What will shape the profession in the next three years?
The overwhelming majority of you pointed to regulatory changes as the biggest influence on our work in the near future. With the CMA’s investigation into Will writing and other unregulated legal services still fresh in many minds, it’s clear that the possibility of new oversight has professionals thinking ahead.Interestingly, technology and shifting client expectations were barely mentioned, showing that many feel external oversight would have a greater impact than innovation in the short term.
What will encourage more people to seek estate planning?
This result was striking: 100% of you agreed that better public education is the key driver. High-profile cases – such as the recent headlines around celebrity estates – and wider economic uncertainty did not feature at all. This underlines just how strongly the profession believes in awareness as the route to helping consumers to plan effectively.
What will build greater public trust?
Finally, we asked what’s most needed to build trust in estate planning professionals and opinions were split here. Almost half pointed to stronger industry regulation, as hinted at in our previous poll, while just over 40% felt that public awareness campaigns would make the biggest difference. A smaller number highlighted the importance of clearer professional standards. Together, these responses paint a picture of a profession committed to raising confidence both through external accountability and by telling it’s story more effectively.
What this means for us
Your insights have given us valuable direction as we plan the months ahead. From education and awareness to regulation and trust, it’s clear that the future of estate planning will be shaped not only by the services we provide but by how the public perceives and understands them.
A clear message has also emerged… accountability matters. Just as the profession looks outward for higher standards and oversight, our own members already hold themselves to the highest levels of professionalism through their commitment to our Code of Conduct. By holding ourselves accountable to recognised standards, our members demonstrate the integrity and professionalism that clients deserve.
We’ll be using your feedback to guide our resources, campaigns and training, ensuring that together, we continue to strengthen the profession and the support it provides to clients.
