I’m Proud to Be an Independent Member of the BEST Foundation — Here’s What That Means for You
- Sally Tofton
- Feb 6
- 3 min read

I’m delighted to share some wonderful news — I’ve been accepted as an Independent Member of the BEST Foundation! This is something I’m genuinely pleased about, not just professionally, but because it directly benefits you as someone seeking clear, trustworthy support with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and estate planning. In this post I’ll explain:
what the BEST Foundation is,
why membership matters, and
how it gives you added reassurance when working with Angel Wills.
What Is the BEST Foundation?
The BEST Foundation is a UK-based professional body for estate planning practitioners, including Will writers, estate planners and probate practitioners. Its members are held to high standards of professional practice, continuous development and client care. As the organisation itself says, the BEST Foundation aims to improve the estate planning sector by recognising only the most reputable practitioners as members.
The word “BEST” isn’t an acronym — it’s part of the name and mission: to help the public find the best estate planning expertise available across the UK.
Why Being an Independent Member Matters
Achieving membership of the BEST Foundation isn’t automatic — it requires demonstrating relevant qualifications, professional experience, or a combination of both. There are different membership levels for practitioners at various stages of their career. For full membership, individuals typically need to show appropriate qualifications (for example, legal or industry recognised credentials) or several years of experience working in estate planning.
As an Independent Member, this means:
I’ve met the BEST Foundation’s professional entry criteria,
I’m committed to continuous development and best practice,
I uphold high standards of integrity, client care and professionalism,
and I’m accountable to an external professional body.
This adds an extra layer of trustworthiness and reassurance for you — we aren’t just agreed between you and me — I’m part of a wider body that encourages excellence and supports good outcomes for clients.
What This Means for You
Being part of the BEST Foundation reassures clients that:
I adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines,
I commit to ongoing training and development,
and there is a structure of accountability in place beyond my own business.
The Foundation also highlights the importance of clear communication with clients, ensuring that you understand your options, any fees upfront, and the implications of the estate planning choices you make. In other words — membership isn’t just a badge, it’s a commitment to doing things properly and transparently for the people I work with.
Why Professional Standards Matter More Than Ever
Estate planning and Will writing are important legal and personal tasks. A well-written Will, good Lasting Powers of Attorney, or thoughtful estate plan can make an enormous difference to families when life changes — but poorly drafted or incomplete documents can cause stress, disputes, or unintended outcomes.
Professional bodies like the BEST Foundation exist precisely to promote higher standards, support ethical practice, and protect the public by helping people identify advisers who are reliable, qualified and continuously improving.
Putting It All Together
So what does my membership mean, in practical terms? It means when you choose Angel Wills, you’re choosing a Will writer and estate planner who:
is recognised by a respected professional foundation,
commits to ongoing learning and industry ethics,
follows documented standards of client care,
and aims to provide the best possible guidance for your family’s future.
You can learn more about the BEST Foundation here: https://bestfoundation.org.uk
Thank You — and Let’s Move Forward Together
I’m genuinely pleased to be part of this community of professionals, and even more pleased that it gives you confidence when working with me. If you’d like to find out more about how this membership benefits you — or if you have questions about Wills, LPAs, estate planning, or related matters — please feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to help.




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