Lancaster wills specialist announced as judge for national awards

An estate planning expert from Lancaster has been chosen to judge the British Wills & Probate Awards.

Nicola Combe, Director of Morecambe Bay Wills & Estates, has been appointed to the independent judging panel for the 2026 competition to select the best in the industry nationwide.

Nicola, a Fellow of the Society of Will Writers and a member of its Professional Standards Board, has extensive experience within the estate-planning profession.

Through her company Morecambe Bay Wills & Estates, she works with individuals and families across Lancashire, North Wales and Cumbria, helping them put appropriate plans in place for the future.

Her appointment as a judge follows several years of national recognition for both Nicola and the firm at the British Wills & Probate Awards.

Morecambe Bay Wills & Estates was named National Estate Planning Firm of the Year and National Community & Charity Champion in 2024.

Nicola was also named the national Will Writing Sole Practitioner of the Year in 2021, while the firm has received further winner, highly commended and finalist recognition across categories including customer service, regional will writing and practitioner achievement.

The annual awards recognise excellence, innovation and dedication across the wills, probate and estate-planning profession, celebrating the individuals and organisations helping to shape its future.

Now in their ninth year, the British Wills & Probate Awards will take place on Thursday October 8 at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester, bringing together more than 400 professionals from regulated and unregulated organisations across the country.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have been invited to join the judging panel for the British Wills & Probate Awards 2026," said Nicola.

“Having previously experienced these awards as both a finalist and a winner, it feels particularly special to now be entrusted with helping to recognise the individuals and organisations setting the highest standards across the wills, probate and estate-planning profession.

“Judging these awards is a significant responsibility. Each entry represents a great deal of hard work, commitment and professional pride, and I will be approaching the process with the care, fairness and attention to detail it deserves.

“I’m genuinely honoured to have been selected and very much looking forward to discovering the people and businesses making an outstanding contribution to our industry this year.”

Morecambe Bay Wills & Estates is based at The Gatehouse, White Cross Industrial Estate, South Road, Lancaster.