Removing Obstacles in Estate Administration:
What the Bereavement Index 2024 Tells Us
The estate administration (probate, executry) space faces ongoing challenges, from inefficiencies to capacity constraints, but Exizent’s Bereavement Index 2024 shed new light on the extent of these issues. While the findings confirm what many professionals already know, they also point towards an urgent need for innovation and collaboration to tackle the roadblocks head-on. By understanding the key findings, Exizent is working with the industry to shape a more efficient, technology-enabled future for 2025 and beyond.
Guiding change: What the Bereavement Index 2024 tells us
Inefficiency is a growing concern
According to the Bereavement Index, 94% of legal professionals perceive the probate process as slow and complicated—a significant increase from 76% in 2023 and 67% in 2022. Key reasons for this include delays and outdated systems creating unnecessary bottlenecks for professionals and bereaved families alike.Workloads remain unmanageable for many
More than half of legal professional’s report being unable to take on new business due to their existing workloads. This inability to scale has become a major roadblock, affecting the growth of firms, client experience and the ability of skilled professionals to help more people at their time of need.Inconsistent workflows are holding firms back
Internal workflows and working practices within firms vary significantly, with many professionals relying on disparate, manual systems. This lack of standardisation creates additional complexity, making it harder for firms to streamline their work and maintain consistency, especially under growing demand. This translates to risk and consequentially to professional indemnity insurance premiums.
These findings serve as a blueprint for where change is needed most – and where technology can provide the greatest impact.
Shaping 2025: Technology as the catalyst for change
Exizent has always championed technology adoption as a solution to the inefficiencies and risks in estate administration – we were founded to help professionals so as to help clients. The Bereavement Index 2024 reaffirms the need for innovation and strengthens our resolve to guide the industry in adopting more streamlined, tech-enabled practices in 2025.
Technology helps in many ways including:
Standardising working practices: Digital platforms like Exizent create uniform data capture and outputs that reduce errors, improve consistency, and save time. They also improve security and business continuity.
Automation of manual tasks: Our automation of court & IHT forms has been enhanced with recent new features, such as auto-calculated residual payments, highlighting how tools can eliminate time-intensive calculations, freeing up professionals to focus on value-added work.
Breaking down silos: Technology connects stakeholders—legal professionals, financial institutions, and executors—by providing real-time access to essential information, significantly reducing delays.
Incorporating these tools not only alleviates the day-to-day challenges professionals face but also supports firms in improving the overall client experience, even during the most difficult times.
Moving Forward: Embracing Change for Better Outcomes
As we look ahead to 2025, Exizent is committed to leveraging the insights from the Bereavement Index 2024 to guide the industry toward smarter, more efficient ways of working. – hopefully engaging more stakeholders on systemic improvements. By addressing inefficiencies, embracing standardisation, and adopting innovative solutions, the estate administration process can be transformed for the benefit of professionals and bereaved families alike.
Want to know how Exizent can help your firm prepare for the future? Contact us and learn how we’re driving the industry forward – or if you just want to discuss our plans for the future.