Finding a probate specialist...

minnietheminx_2

and not getting shafted.

I have been made executor of my late aunt’s estate.  The will is formed as a trust to be shared amongst my cousins.  It was done in this way as one of my cousins suffers with his mental health.  
In addition to my aunt’s house, there is another property abroad, so between the trust and the foreign property, DIY probate isn’t really an option.  The law firm who drew up my aunt’s will no longer exist so I need to source legal advice and support.

I’m not certain that the document I have is the latest version of the will.  I applied for a search on the .GOV.UK website via the Probate Registry and they could not find a will for the estate, so right now I’m assuming what I’ve been given is the latest version.

The costs won’t really have an impact on me as such, but I do feel a huge responsibility to get the best deal for my relatives’ benefit.  I’ve never engaged the services of a solicitor for anything.  How should I search?  What should I watch out for?  Presumably I should shop around?

According to the MSE Guide on Probate there are two options:
1. Fixed fee specialist
2. Hourly rate probate specialist and solicitor (1-5% of the value of the estate plus VAT)

5% plus VAT seems huge.

Bottom line - I just want to do right by my relatives.  Any advice gratefully received.

xylophone

Look for a solicitor who is a member of STEP. You can check the directory here.

https://www.step.org/about-step/public

Marcon

Which country is the foreign property in? Do you know if there's a second will if the country concerned doesn't recognise wills made under British law?

STEP solicitors are there to help with estate planning and drawing up wills where there are large, complex estates. They are often overkill for relatively straightforward probate matters - and from the sound of it, there's nothing hugely complicated about a trust and a foreign property, so I'd certainly shop around for quotes from competent high street solicitors as well as specialists.

Savvy_Sue

I think there's a way of finding out what happened to any documents being stored by a firm of solicitors which no longer exists, and it could be worth pursuing that, to see if a later will is recorded with the original company. 

https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/solicitor-closed-down/ - start there?

Does what you hold look like an original or a copy? Where did you get it from? What makes you think there might be a later will?

minnietheminx_2

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

A few more points to fill in the gaps...

The foreign property is in Ireland.  

Regarding will versions, I have been given an original and a copy by my cousins which date back to 2005.

My aunt had a dementia diagnosis in the months running up to her death, so I guess this leading me to question whether what I have is the most recent version but I am probably overthinking things.

I’ll definitely shop around, as advised.