TGt Meets…Harri Thompson of HT Wills

In this TGt Meets, we heard from Harri Thompson from HT Wills.

1. Tell us what HT Wills is and the services you offer.

HT Wills Ltd provides a holistic approach to estate planning, aiming to reduce the percentage of the UK population without estate planning in place. We educate clients from the age of 18 upwards on the importance of having plans in place for all eventualities. Services include Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate, Contentious Probate, Deputyship Orders.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in estate planning and writing, and what led you to start your own business in this field?

My decision to become an estate planner stemmed from me having a desire to help individuals and families, in particular protect their legacies. I am able to combine my passion for law, finance, and helping others along with living a more flexible life outside of the corporate world.

I have witnessed the complexities and challenges that can arise when planning for the future, and feel compelled to provide guidance and support to navigate these intricacies effectively. Additionally, the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on clients' lives and empower them to achieve their long-term goals can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

3. How do you stay up-to-date with changes in estate planning laws and regulations, and what resources do you rely on to ensure your clients receive the most accurate and relevant advice?

I am a member of the Institute of Professional Will Writers (IPW) and we are required to perform a number of hours CPD per year. I continuously read journal articles, news updates and blogs in respect of the ever changing laws.

4. What do you consider to be the most important qualities for success in your field, and how have you developed these qualities throughout your career?

The ability to listen to my client’s aims and objectives and advise on the best way forward for them. Being on hand for any questions they may have, be it middle of the day or evening or weekends, I am always on hand to help clients.

5. How do you balance the technical aspects of estate planning with the emotional and personal considerations of your clients, how do you ensure they feel comfortable and supported?

By ensuring that technical elements of estate planning are explained in layman’s terms in order to ensure clients always understand the process and what is being recommended. Being on hand whenever needed to answer questions or to explain something that they may be confused with.

6. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in the estate planning and writing field, and what resources or strategies do you recommend for building a successful career?

Find a decent mentor to guide you through the journey, invest in your training and ensure you are always there for your clients to answer any questions.

7. What do you find most rewarding in your role?

Seeing the relief on client’s faces and their shoulders relaxing when they have signed their Will. Or when we have worked through a particularly complex case and created a solution to a problem.