RIAA Barker Gillette (UK) is a full-service London law firm with offices in central and north London. The team pride themselves on their approachability and the accessibility of their partners to their clients. From corporate law issues to more sensitive family difficulties, RIAA Barker Gillette’s experienced and efficient team are on hand to advise and help.
Patrice Lawrence recently joined the firm as senior associate solicitor but has used Estatesearch’s Financial Profile Search to establish the assets within estates since 2022. She also uses Estatesearch’s Will Search.
A practical and thorough approach to probate
Patrice explains:
“At RIAA Barker Gillette (UK) we offer a practical and thorough service based on our team’s knowledge and experience. In probate cases we always let our clients know that Will and Asset searches are an option right from the start.
Using Estatesearch technology in probate cases
“I usually put through about one search per month. If we are executors on an estate administration matter then we would always use these searches. While no system is completely fool proof I really like Estatesearch’s ordering platform on the web. It’s easy to understand and use and in our busy legal team this is appreciated. Although training is available it’s so simple that I’ve never needed any.
“The reports help to protect us if we are executors on an estate and we include information about the searches in our initial letter of engagement in matters where we are not the executors.
Demonstrating due diligence when the unexpected happens
“The searches themselves can always throw in surprises. We had one case where no matches were reported however, later an investment company wrote to us letting us know they had made a mistake and an account did in fact exist for the deceased. In this instance we could prove our due diligence and show we had done all that we could do to identify assets within the estate through Estatesearch’s Financial Profile Search at the time, and that the investment company was at fault. We were easily able to resolve the matter.
Challenges of identifying shareholdings in probate
“Searching for shareholdings can present challenges. This is because people tend to keep bank cards in their wallets so it is usually easy to find a bank account. However with shares there can be no paperwork.
A positive experience working with Estatesearch technology
“Working with Estatesearch is very positive and I would recommend the company’s services.”