Professional Indemnity Insurance
We must hold a minimum of £2 million cover.
About us
The Institute of Professional Willwriters
Choosing someone to write your Will should feel straightforward. In practice, Will writing is entirely unregulated in the UK and there is nothing to stop anyone offering the service, whatever their background.
We think that is a problem, and for this reason we chose to join the Institute of Professional Willwriters.
Our membership in practice
The Institute of Professional Willwriters is a recognised professional body for Will writing and estate planning in England and Wales. Founded in 1991, it sets and enforces professional standards to protect the public from unqualified practitioners. For clients, that means the firm you are dealing with meets clear professional standards and answers to an independent body if something goes wrong.
As members, our Will writers pass the IPW entrance examination before practising, and complete Continuing Professional Development every year, so the advice you receive reflects current best practices and regulations.
The IPW’s Code of Practice is approved by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and defines how we operate.
Up-to-date expertise
Our knowledge must stay current with changes in law and best practice.
Care for vulnerable clients
We must take special care when working with clients who may be vulnerable.
Transparent fees
Costs must be clear from the outset, with no hidden charges.
Clear cancellation rights
Clients must be told their cancellation rights before they commit.
Honest business promotion
How we market our services must meet the same standards as how we deliver them.
Your questions answered
No. IPW membership is voluntary; there is no legal requirement for a will-writing firm to belong to any professional body. A significant number of firms operate without membership of any kind. Checking for IPW membership is one of the simplest ways to identify firms that have chosen to hold themselves to an independent standard.
You can search for ELM Legal Services directly on the IPW’s member directory. You will also find the IPW logo in the footer of our website. Clicking it confirms our site is approved by the Institute.
As IPW members, we are required to operate a formal complaints procedure. If we cannot resolve a concern to your satisfaction, you can refer the matter to the IPW’s independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme at no cost to you.
Get in touch
We’re here to help you put the right plans in place for the future.
For support with Wills, Trusts, LPAs or Probate, please complete our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.