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Heir Hunter
CalumFinnerty
Posts: 42 Forumite
Hi everyone,
A few months ago we were approached by a genealogist research company stating that an elderly relative had died intestate.
There were three benificieries and the company would charge 30%.
We contacted the company and told them that we did not want to use their services.
Today, we received a letter with a cheque from the company stating they were distributing the assets of the estate.
They had taken 85% of the estate in fees.
The estate is a reasonable size.
We contacted the company repeatedly this morning but they have not returned our calls.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
0
Comments
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sounds like one of the other beneficiaries agreed for them to do the work? Did you do anything about getting letters of administration when they contacted you previously?1
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No. They did not say who the relative was.We were in the process of researching the family tree.I have read elsewhere that in a similar situation the person who didn't hire the genealogy company didn't have to pay their fees.85% of the estate is a huge amount compared to the 30% they stated in the proposed contract.We have called them repeatedly this morning but they are not replying.0
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What figures were in the letter? It sounds like you may be confusing fees with inheritance tax and other costs.1
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The estate was below the threshold for inheritance tax.The fee in the contract was a fixed 30% of the estate.If you divide the remaining 70% of the estate by 3 for the beneficieries, the amount is incorrect.We have received 1/5th of what we should have.0
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You'll need to post up the key figures to get any clarity. Remember to also factor in VAT.1
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£90,000 estate£4,450 cheque0
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Is this a full and final payment or a payment on account ?
Or did they find more beneficiaries ?Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill1 -
First, thank you all for taking the time to reply.Still no reply from the company.Please find encl a cheque for the share due to you0
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You need to ask for the full figures. Estate value, expenses, fee, VAT, liabilities, distributed assets etc.CalumFinnerty said:£90,000 estate£4,450 cheque1 -
There was a statment:...we are now in a position to distribute the remaining balance.Please find encl a cheque for the share due to you.A cheque was attached.Nothing else!0
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