Bad Probate Solicitors Experience

travellerette

Hi Everybody,

Due to some problems my cousin has had recently I’ve look into the probate sector and found it is surprisingly lacking in regulations. I thought the loop holes within the system would just allow the solicitors to dodge tax or something along those lines but the truth is a lot more scary, as my cousin has had money stolen from his mothers accounts.

My cousin has just gone through an ordeal with a solicitor (who I can’t mention for legal reasons) that ended up stealing money from his mum’s accounts without him knowing. Luckily my cousin had been looking through all the paperwork and bank details and realised something’s didn’t add up. He has been in contact with the firm in question and I believe there will be a court case but with solicitors it’s so hard to go against them as they are trained in law. He could end up taking them to court and lose, leaving himself with large court fees and no money in return.

I think the probate sector is really open right now and I find it unacceptable that somebody could take money from an account without the relatives knowing. I think that even though some non legal probate firms have been getting a lot of stick for long waiting times and miscommunication recently, I saw the episode of panorama a few weeks ago, it doesn’t compare to this. I realise this is an isolated case and it doesn’t mean that all solicitors are doing this but the idea that somebody can is scary.

I would like to hear if anybody else has had similar issues with probate solicitors. I think, as somebody with parents in their 90’s, I’m going to have to go through these services sooner or later and want to be prepared when the time comes. At the moment I’m not going to go near those solicitors with a barge pole.

Jinx

I would suggest that you set up powers of attorney for your parents that can be invoked in the event of incapacity. Then you would have the authority over their affairs.

Solicitors are governed by the law society and complaints can be made to them and they can withdraw a solicitors right to practise... If your cousin can prove the theft then he should be confident going to court. Maybe with a personally recommended sol?