HMRC Money Laundering Supervision

I've had the same conversation with several clients over the past couple of weeks, and I suspect the problem they're running into is about to catch a lot more estate planning and probate firms out. Each of them went to register with HMRC as a tax adviser - correctly, because the nature of their work requires it - and hit the same wall. You cannot apply for an Agent Services Account without evidence of AML supervision. No supervisor, no supervision number, no account. And with

The UK’s AML landscape is about to change significantly - and although most commentary so far has focused on accountants and lawyers, the reforms will have direct consequences for will writers, estate planners, and TCSPs. HM Treasury has confirmed that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will become the single professional services supervisor (SPSS) for AML/CTF, taking over from the professional body supervisors. This is one of the most substantial shifts in AML oversight i

Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) compliance is one of the most misunderstood - and most inconsistently applied - responsibilities in the will‑writing and estate‑planning sector. Firms think they are doing everything they are required to do, but their processes and documentation tell a different story. Below are the seven most common AML mistakes estate planners and will writers make, why they matter, and how to fix them before they become a problem. 1. Treating AML as a “tick‑box”

Anti–money laundering (AML) rules can feel like a maze - especially for will writers, estate planners and probate practitioners. Not every estate planning practice needs to register for AML supervision, but misunderstanding the requirements is risky business. Failure to register when you should can lead to penalties, reputational damage, and investigation by HMRC - who can force your business to stop trading. To help you work out where your business stands, WillComply has cre