Heir Hunter

CalumFinnerty

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.

Flugelhorn

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?

CalumFinnerty

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.

[Deleted User]

What figures were in the letter? It sounds like you may be confusing fees with inheritance tax and other costs.

CalumFinnerty

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.

[Deleted User]

You'll need to post up the key figures to get any clarity. Remember to also factor in VAT. 

CalumFinnerty

£90,000 estate

£4,450 cheque

Robin9

Is this a full and final payment or a payment on account ?

Or did they find more beneficiaries ?

CalumFinnerty

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 you

[Deleted User]

CalumFinnerty said:

£90,000 estate

£4,450 cheque

You need to ask for the full figures.  Estate value, expenses, fee, VAT, liabilities, distributed assets etc.

CalumFinnerty

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!