CMA Investigates Will-Writing and Probate Planning Firms for Consumer Protection Law Compliance

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in England and Wales is cracking down on firms offering Will-writing and probate planning services following complaints of non-compliance with consumer protection laws. The CMA’s research has highlighted potential risks to customers in these areas.

Concerns regarding Will-writing services include misleading advertising, unfair contract terms, and reports of pressure selling and coercion of vulnerable customers. Pre-paid probate plans are also under scrutiny for pressure selling techniques, lack of transparency about costs, unnecessary plans causing delays in the probate process, and inadequate protection of customer funds.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, emphasized the importance of investigating these services to ensure customers can choose the right legal service with confidence. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, warned about unscrupulous firms taking advantage of online legal services, urging better protection for consumers.

In related news, the UK government has announced an increase in the statutory legacy fixed net sum to £322,000, benefiting surviving spouses or civil partners of individuals who die intestate with children. Ian Bond, lifestyle and estate planning partner at Irwin Mitchell, explained the rules of intestacy in England and Wales and how the increase in the statutory legacy sum could help those facing financial challenges.

The CMA’s investigation and the government’s update on the statutory legacy sum highlight the importance of consumer protection in legal services and estate planning, ensuring fair treatment for individuals during challenging times.