Solicitor charges

Mikenjane

Hi we had a will trust from my late father that was wound up paid out and completed over a year ago.
We have now had another letter from the solicitor saying that legislation has changed and the will trust must now be registered even though it's wound up.
My question is they want to charge £600 plus vat to do this but I feel this is unfair as the account was completed and closed by this time and I'm not sure the solicitor should again charge me when my account for this matter is closed.
Can they do this please 

user1977

It's not clear from your post - are they claiming they must do the work, or just quoting what their fee would be if you instructed them to do it?

Mikenjane

They hold all paperwork relating to the old trust and are saying it's 600 to register it but would charge to dig out and send me the information to do it anyhow 

Mikenjane

Their words were legislation has changed it must be now registered even though closed and our fees are 600 to do this.
Surely a legislation change shouldn't be charged on a closed account after completing the transaction in question

Alderbank

Mikenjane said:

Their words were legislation has changed it must be now registered even though closed and our fees are 600 to do this.
Surely a legislation change shouldn't be charged on a closed account after completing the transaction in question

It sounds like you are referring to The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019?

Rules came into force in October 2020 (so newish but not that new) that require most UK trusts, including trusts that have closed since that date, to register with HMRC by 1 September 2022.
There are some exceptions which include will trusts that are wound up within two years of death. Would this apply to your father's will?

For anyone who can read and write, registration is not that difficult. Basically it is filling in an online HMRC form with the names and addresses of the trustees and beneficiaries of the trust. The duty to register is on the trustees (as named in the will, often they are the executors) but of course if you wish to pay a solicitor £600 to do it for you that is fine.

macman

Probably no more than 2 hours work, based on typical rate of £300 per hour.
They're obviously not going to charge less than one hour.