Clients of one of Preston’s leading accountancy firms are set to benefit after it was granted a licence to offer probate services by its professional regulator.
Rotherham Taylor Limited was granted the licence by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) after the firm’s Chairman and CEO, Michael Barton, and Director, Rebecca Bradshaw, passed the organisation’s Probate exam.
Probate is the process of dealing with the estate left by someone who has died, ensuring that it is dispersed in accordance with that person’s wishes as well as the relevant legal and tax requirements.
It is one of six reserved legal activities which have been opened up to approved providers outside the legal professions by the provisions of the Legal Services Act 2007. The ICAEW applied in summer 2016 to regulate the other five reserved legal activities, including litigation and rights of audience.
Michael Barton said: “Until recently, people who have been bereaved have found that they have had to deal with various professionals as part of what can be a complex and challenging process.
“As accountants, we have a strong understand of our clients’ estates and so are able use this knowledge provide a more cost effective Probate service.
“I am therefore delighted that we have received our licence to offer an integrated Probate service, helping simplify the process for people at a stressful and emotional point in their lives.”
Rebecca Bradshaw added: “This is good news for our clients. We have always been keen to offer our clients the widest possible range of services so that they have a single point of contact who is familiar with all their financial circumstances.”
