AI is Here. Your Adviser Isn't Going Anywhere.

Artificial Intelligence has become impossible to ignore.

Whether it's ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini or one of the many other AI tools now available, millions of people are using them every day to write emails, summarise documents and answer questions. At SLS Wills and More, we use AI too. It can be an excellent tool for research, administration and helping us work more efficiently.

But there is an important distinction.

AI is a tool. It is not an adviser.

In recent months, courts in both the UK and overseas have highlighted the dangers of relying on AI without proper human oversight. Lawyers have submitted court documents containing legal cases that simply did not exist because an AI system had confidently invented them. In one high-profile UK case, the High Court criticised the use of fictitious case citations generated by AI and warned that lawyers have a professional duty to verify every authority they rely upon. Similar cases in the United States have resulted in sanctions and financial penalties after attorneys relied on completely fabricated legal precedents.

This isn't because AI is "broken". It's because of something known as a hallucination.

Despite the unusual name, a hallucination is simply when an AI model produces information that sounds entirely convincing but is factually wrong. It doesn't know that it's making something up. It predicts what words are most likely to come next, rather than checking whether every statement is true.

Sometimes that's harmless.

If you're asking for recipe ideas or holiday suggestions, an inaccurate answer might simply mean a disappointing meal or an attraction that's closed on Mondays.

In legal matters, however, the consequences can be far more serious.

Estate planning isn't about finding a quick answer on the internet. Every family is different. Every estate is different. Every business owner has different priorities. A seemingly minor detail can fundamentally change the advice that's appropriate.

Should assets be left outright or held in trust?

Would an unmarried partner inherit?

How does a vulnerable beneficiary affect your planning?

Will inheritance tax be an issue?

Could a business qualify for relief?

Has a previous marriage created unintended consequences?

These aren't questions with one-size-fits-all answers.

AI can explain the general principles. What it cannot do is replace decades of experience, professional judgement and the careful conversations needed to understand your circumstances.

That's where people still matter.

Sara Sheppard, founder of SLS Wills and More, has more than 38 years of professional experience helping individuals, families and business owners make informed decisions about their future. During that time, legislation has changed, tax rules have evolved and countless family situations have demonstrated why careful, personalised advice is so valuable.

Experience isn't simply about knowing the law.

It's about recognising the questions clients haven't thought to ask.

It's about spotting potential problems before they arise.

It's about understanding family dynamics, business succession, inheritance tax planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney and ensuring that every recommendation is tailored to the individual sitting across the table.

Ironically, AI has reinforced the value of professional advisers rather than replacing them.

The better these tools become, the easier it is for incorrect information to sound plausible. That makes independent judgement, critical thinking and professional experience more important than ever.

At SLS Wills and More, we believe technology should enhance the service clients receive, not replace the relationship. We embrace AI where it helps us work more efficiently, carry out research more effectively and improve the client experience. But every piece of advice is reviewed, considered and based on human expertise.

After all, your family's future deserves more than an answer that merely sounds convincing.

It deserves advice you can trust.