Case Study - Finance North Estate Planning

Background

Finance North Estate Planning Services, a growing estate planning practice, is led by Sharon Liptrott, a sole practitioner who took over the business in 2023. With a strong background in operations management and a passion for efficiency, Sharon was determined to build a business that could sustain her and scale effectively.

The Challenge

Transitioning into estate planning was a steep learning curve, and Sharon recognised early on that she needed a robust system to support her workflows. Initially, she adopted WillSuite to streamline her drafting process and boost confidence in document creation. However, as her business grew, she sought a more comprehensive solution that would not only enhance efficiency but also future proof her operations.

Why LEAP Estates?

Sharon made the decision to move from WillSuite to LEAP Estates after recognising its expanded capabilities.

"It had everything I loved about WillSuite but with so much more to offer. As a sole practitioner, WillSuite was adequate, but I could see how LEAP Estates would support me as I grew. Why not bite the bullet now and do it right?"

Some of the key reasons for choosing LEAP Estates included:

• Scalability – "It allows me to compete with larger firms while still operating as a sole practitioner. The platform is built for growth."

• AI-Powered Features – "I used to pay for a ChatGPT subscription, but LEAP Estates has AI built in. LawY is incredible for legal research, and the AI-powered template generator has been a game-changer."

• Integrated Workflows – "I hate data duplication. LEAP Estates removes so much unnecessary admin and makes me more efficient."

• Professional Branding & Document Generation – "I can produce high-quality, polished documents that look amazing for clients—without spending hours on formatting."

Implementation & Support

Despite making the transition during a hectic period—including a house move and office relocation—Sharon found the implementation process seamless.

"The onboarding process with the LEAP Estates team was excellent. They are a different league. The support from Adam, Josh, and the team has been elite level. No matter what I need, they are always responsive and helpful."

Results & Impact

Since adopting LEAP Estates, Sharon has seen significant improvements in:

• Productivity & Efficiency – "Without LEAP Estates, drafting and compliance would take me three to four times longer. Now, I can produce high-quality documents efficiently and ensure compliance without added stress."

• Client Communications – "The AI-powered templates allow me to generate instruction summaries and advice letters before drafting, reducing back-and-forth with clients and making the process smoother."

• Outlook Integration & Collaboration – "As a sole practitioner, I sometimes collaborate with external partners. The ability to save and track communications within matters is incredibly useful."

Future Opportunities & Recommendations

Looking ahead, Sharon is excited to fully immerse herself in LEAP Estates and utilise even more of its features. She also sees potential in expanding mobile accessibility and client-facing integrations.

When asked if she would recommend LEAP Estates, she didn’t hesitate:

"Absolutely! If you’re a sole practitioner, don’t be afraid of it just because the big firms use it. LEAP Estates makes you look as professional as you want to be while giving you the flexibility to run your business your way. It’s a no-brainer."

Conclusion

By transitioning to LEAP Estates, Finance North Estate Planning Services has gained a scalable, efficient, and professional platform that supports both current operations and future growth. With ongoing innovation and dedicated support, LEAP Estates is empowering Sharon to compete at a higher level while maintaining the agility of a sole practitioner.

If you feel your firm will benefit from the points discussed in this case study, please get in touch with the LEAP Estates team for your free 30 minute demonstration today - https://www.leapestates.co.uk/demonstration