In 8 months my probate solicitors have done nothing. What can I do?

[Deleted User]

I am one of three beneficiaries. I just read the last letter I received and it states that the partners in the law firm have been named as the executors.

[Deleted User]

bunnygo said:

I've no time for professionals that get paid to do things and ignore those paying them.

I just re-read the last correspondence I received on the 11th of Feb and the solicitors are the only executors. I might complain. The fees they're charging are eye-watering!

GDB2222

Deleted_User said:

bunnygo said:

I've no time for professionals that get paid to do things and ignore those paying them.

I just re-read the last correspondence I received on the 11th of Feb and the solicitors are the only executors. I might complain. The fees they're charging are eye-watering!

Solicitors write wills very cheaply, as a loss leader, in the hope that they can persuade the testator to make them executors. They can then charge whatever they like as executors, I'm afraid.

It's too late now to ask them to renounce their executorship, but you can certainly kick up a fuss if they aren't doing the job that they are paying themselves to do, You can point out that the outlook for house prices looks bleak, and you will hold them responsible for any losses due to their delay.

Unfortunately, they can't sell the property until they have probate. Have they at least applied for that?

Put your concerns in writing, and do it now!

Keep_pedalling

GDB2222 said:

Deleted_User said:

bunnygo said:

I've no time for professionals that get paid to do things and ignore those paying them.

I just re-read the last correspondence I received on the 11th of Feb and the solicitors are the only executors. I might complain. The fees they're charging are eye-watering!

Solicitors write wills very cheaply, as a loss leader, in the hope that they can persuade the testator to make them executors. They can then charge whatever they like as executors, I'm afraid.

I don’t think most do this, certainly it was not even suggested when we made ours. 

GDB2222

Keep_pedalling said:

GDB2222 said:

Deleted_User said:

bunnygo said:

I've no time for professionals that get paid to do things and ignore those paying them.

I just re-read the last correspondence I received on the 11th of Feb and the solicitors are the only executors. I might complain. The fees they're charging are eye-watering!

Solicitors write wills very cheaply, as a loss leader, in the hope that they can persuade the testator to make them executors. They can then charge whatever they like as executors, I'm afraid.

I don’t think most do this, certainly it was not even suggested when we made ours. 

I will happily change that to "some solicitors ...". 

I had a will drawn up recently, and there was no suggestion of the solicitor acting as executor. OTOH, he is retiring shortly, and has no wish to act as executor.

[Deleted User]

GDB2222 said:

You can point out that the outlook for house prices looks bleak, and you will hold them responsible for any losses due to their delay.

Unfortunately, they can't sell the property until they have probate. Have they at least applied for that?

Put your concerns in writing, and do it now!

This is also our concern, with interest rates rising, and property prices already falling this could soon be just about the worst time to sell.

I'll put my concerns in writing and post them recorded delivery so there is at least a record.

Flugelhorn

we had a solicitor v keen on being exec, we declined as realised one of our kids wouldn't be happy about  this (bad management of local youngsters sports club- memories linger) - solicitor lost enthusiasm and never produced the final will for us following our comments on a draft

GDB2222

Deleted_User said:

GDB2222 said:

You can point out that the outlook for house prices looks bleak, and you will hold them responsible for any losses due to their delay.

Unfortunately, they can't sell the property until they have probate. Have they at least applied for that?

Put your concerns in writing, and do it now!

This is also our concern, with interest rates rising, and property prices already falling this could soon be just about the worst time to sell.

I'll put my concerns in writing and post them recorded delivery so there is at least a record.

No need to send recorded delivery. Send by ordinary post, with a copy by email. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_squeaky_wheel_gets_the_grease

kazwookie

Have you checked that the house insurance is upto date for an empty property?

[Deleted User]

bunnygo said:

Probate application should have been submitted a long time ago.

I just searched on the government portal and was surprised to find no probate records for my grandmother.