How legal technology is redefining estate administration and lifetime planning

Estate administration and lifetime planning are undoubtedly detailed, time-intensive processes. From drafting wills, trusts and lasting powers of attorney (“LPA’s”) and managing probates to handling sensitive client information, private client practitioners often face complex administrative demands. However, with the rise of legal technology, there are numerous opportunities to save valuable time while enhancing accuracy, strengthening compliance, and driving client satisfaction.

While in traditional estate administration, managing forms, documents, and client correspondence would require hours of manual effort, modern legal software can automate these repetitive tasks, allowing practitioners to focus their time on more strategic client care.

For instance, LEAP Estates integrates intelligent data capture and automated form population to generate key probate forms or will documentation for lifetime planning and estate administration. With powerful features and functionalities, it provides everything needed to manage clients’ wills, LPAs and estates efficiently, helping practitioners conquer pressing challenges, drive efficiency and, ultimately, lead the way for a future-proofed private client practice.

Conquering the challenge of file management

Effective file management is at the heart of efficient private client work, and practitioners face a unique set of file management and compliance challenges.

With estate and probate administration often spanning from a few months to over two years and involving multiple parties and institutions, accurate record-keeping is essential. Paper files, scattered email chains, and inconsistent document storage increase the risk of lost information, duplicated work, and delayed or missed deadlines.

Similarly, compliance requirements around data protection, due diligence, and audit trails demand that firms maintain clear, accessible, and secure records. Balancing these regulatory obligations with the need to deliver a compassionate service can be difficult.

With cloud-based systems like LEAP for estate administration, firms can centralise client files, correspondence, and documents in one secure platform, supporting hybrid working and ensuring that every team member has real-time visibility over the progress of matters. For private client practitioners, this means faster turnaround times and improved compliance, without compromising on personal client service.

Driving efficiency in private client work

I can say from experience that private client work demands a constant balance between accuracy, empathy, and administrative rigour.

Each instruction often calls for extensive data collection, form completion, and communication with third parties (such as financial institutions and government bodies). These are all tasks that, if handled manually, can drain valuable fee-earning time and increase the risk of delays or errors. Streamlining workflows and reducing repetitive tasks not only boosts productivity but also enables practitioners to focus on providing clear advice and maintaining client relationships during what is often an emotionally sensitive period.

Legal technology can be a key driver of efficiency in private client work. By replicating client data across forms and letters, practitioners can reduce duplication, prevent inconsistencies, and ensure accuracy throughout the client lifecycle.

Integrations with legal research tools – think of LEAP’s integration with Finders International, accounting systems, and document libraries enable a truly joined-up approach, making the entire process more efficient and transparent for both practitioners and clients.

The path to future-proofed private client work

As the legal sector evolves, embracing innovation is no longer optional, it’s essential.

Beyond internal efficiencies, technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing client experience. Secure portals, e-signatures, and digital communication channels mean clients can review and approve documents quickly and conveniently. This level of responsiveness builds trust and demonstrates the firm’s commitment to modern, client-centric service.

Over the coming years, legal technology will continue redefining what it means to deliver effective estate administration and lifetime planning in the digital age. By combining automation with human expertise, private client practitioners, their teams and therefore their business can work smarter, deliver faster, and maintain the empathy and precision their clients rely on.

About the author

A recognised Private Client and Trusts specialist with over a decade of experience, Andy Hitchon was previously a partner at Rothera Bray LLP and also led the Wills & Estates department at Bray & Bray prior to its merger with Rotheras. As Head of Estates at LEAP Legal Software, Andy leverages his deep knowledge of estate administration, trusts, and tax planning to help firms modernise their private client practices through smarter technology.