Richard Whitaker is the founder of Requiem Law, a specialist probate law firm, serving Wokingham and surrounding areas. He tells us how you should never be afraid to reinvent yourself.
‘As a young man my life seemed destined for engineering. I was always interested in science and mathematics, and so I studied engineering with astrophysics at university. However, it was music that was my real passion, leading me to join the Army as a soldier and musician in my mid-twenties.
It was during these 12 years, predominantly based in Winchester, that I learnt the Army’s core values that stay with me today – courage, self-discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment. I try and practise these values in all aspects of my life, both personal and professional.
This decade, and more, was a wonderful period of my life – parades, mess nights, tattoos, Buckingham Palace garden parties, peacekeeping in Kosovo…. I like to think that my part in the ‘green machine’ somehow made a tiny difference. But whilst many of my colleagues were settling down for the long haul (22 years or more) I was getting restless – working late nights, early mornings and weekends was not what my new family needed.
It was whilst I was considering my long-term career options that my wife suggested a career in law. She was a trainee solicitor herself, and had good things to say about the legal services industry.
Having left the Army I began my career in law. For me, ‘Private Client’ law (Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and probate) was always the right fit for me. I regard it as a very positive area of law, concerned with empowering individuals to get their affairs in order. Even probate, which could be viewed differently, is about bringing peace and resolution to the affairs of a loved one.
My mathematical background meant that tax was of particular interest to me. After a few years in private practice, I again changed tangent and worked as an inheritance tax specialist at Tolley (part of LexisNexis). It was during this time that I sat and passed the Chartered Tax Adviser examinations (the most advanced tax exams in the UK).
At a similar time, I was asked to be an examiner for STEP – the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. This is the leading professional body for the Private Client arena, setting and upholding standards in Wills, trusts and probate. I found myself setting the probate exams that other practitioners would set – a challenging, yet rewarding position of responsibility.
In 2023 I felt that an opportunity existed to offer probate services, by a specialist solicitor, for a fixed-fee. Probate can be a lengthy and nebulous process, meaning that fixing a fee at the outset is a challenge. However, with careful consideration and experience it is possible. I felt, and still do, that clients want certainty over costs.
What advice would I give a young person trying to make their way in the world?
Don’t be afraid to try something new, have the courage to admit one’s mistakes and (most importantly) treat others the way you would like to be treated.’
Requiem Law is a proactive and modern practice which gives expert advice and assistance on probate at a fixed-fee. All matters are handled personally by Richard Whitaker TEP CTA, who is responsive and efficient.
