How CJCH Solicitors Use Estatesearch Searches to Protect Probate Cases and Reduce Risk
CJCH Solicitors is an award-winning, modern legal practice which delivers customised solutions and dedicated service.
With six offices in the United Kingdom and representation across the globe, CJCH Solicitors offers a range of services in both corporate and private matters.
A Modern, Client Focused Legal Practice
Lauren Phillips, Legal Director & Head of Private Client Services is based out of the Blackwood office in Wales, close to the firm’s headquarters in Cardiff. Lauren explains: “We are growing but are still personable and like to meet with clients face to face. We have a ten-person private client team, and we’re committed to being as forward-thinking as possible, using technology to support our work and deliver an enhanced service to our clients where we can.”
Supporting Probate Work with Legal Technology
CJCH Solicitors works with legal technology company Estatesearch for Financial Profile Searches, Will Searches, Missing Beneficiary Insurance, Unoccupied Property Insurance, International Bankruptcy Searches and also Will Bank Management.
Lauren continues: “We have substantial Will bank so probate work often comes from family recommendation. IFAs also refer us and we attract clients through our high street presence and online too.
“We have one team member who is our first port of call in probate matters and she finds out how a client would like to proceed. Depending on the complexity of the matter, she can guide them to book in with a fee earner if they choose. Often clients don’t know what help they need, so we can advise and provide costs and information on how we can help.
“It may be quicker and cheaper to cut corners but it could end up costing clients more down the line.”
Protecting Firms and Clients with Financial Profile Searches
“This is where the technology comes in. We use Estatesearch’s Financial Profile search ordered through the free, secure portal, on every case where we are executors. This protects our firm and limits liabilities. We would also conduct a Will Search as standard practice too and await the results to ensure we are the appointed executors according to the Will before instructing the asset search. In recent years we have formalised this as one of our firm-wide processes.
“For lay executors we always present information about the asset search. It may be quicker and cheaper to cut corners but it could end up costing clients more down the line. Therefore, we introduce the searches as a choice for added protection. If there is any doubt that the family hold the latest copy of the Will we would also suggest a Will search for peace of mind.
“An asset search helped us identify a life insurance policy which could be important to help finance the client’s future care.”
Reducing Risk Through Asset and Liability Searches
“Often these searches confirm what we already know but on occasions there are surprises. I have recently been appointed as a Deputy in a Court of Protection case where little was known about the gentleman’s finances. An asset search helped us identify a life insurance policy which could be important to help finance the client’s future care.”
Estatesearch’s Financial Profile search automatically contacts over 400 financial institutions and reports on liabilities as well as assets. “Recently this has been helpful to confirm the debts in another Probate case,” continues Lauren. “The family were aware of the liabilities but the search gave confidence about the extent of the debt and that there would be no nasty surprises at a later date.
“If a further liability turned up say six or twelve months down the line, it would not only reflect badly on our firm but the additional administration to resolve the issue could be substantial. In this way, Estatesearch’s technology helps protect CJCH.
“I also really rate our account manager at Estatesearch, Allan Hume. He has been fantastic. Allan has provided training and information about Estatesearch’s range of services which all help to support us to embrace technology and provide a better service to our own clients as a result.”
Digital Will Bank Management for Modern Law Firms
“Estatesearch also help us with our Will bank management. We have a large Will bank in Blackwood containing over 4,000 Wills. We used Estatesarch’s Will Bank Management to screen and cleanse the data which included a historic Will bank we inherited from another firm. At the time, that required manual categorisation but now we are fully digitalised which means any team member can access our up to date Will bank to search for a Will, even if they are working remotely.
“Trialling the Blackwood Will bank with this process was a great success and has led us to now add all Will banks for all offices onto the system as well.
“Working with Allan and Estatesearch supports our compliance, protects our firm and means we can provide an enhanced service for our clients. It’s a no-brainer.”
Turning Will Bank Data Into New Client Opportunities
“The notification process now helps us keep our Will bank up to date. We are informed if someone has passed away or changed address. As well as keeping our records current, we can tailor appropriate and sensitive communication, delivered in a timely manner. Because of this proactive contact, we have already secured work to update Wills following change of addresses, and also Probate cases.
“Not only is an up to date digital Will bank a big time saver, but our clients’ satisfaction has also increased. It has also paid for itself with the additional work we have secured.
“Working with Allan and Estatesearch supports our compliance, protects our firm and means we can provide an enhanced service for our clients. It’s a no-brainer.”
For further information about CJCH Solicitors please see https://cjchsolicitors.co.uk/
For further information about Estatesearch please see: https://www.estatesearch.co.uk/
Originally published on Today’s Will and Probate, 9th February 2026 and link to this please https://todayswillsandprobate.co.uk/how-estatesearchs-technology-supports-cjch-solicitors-as-a-modern-legal-firm.
