How to complain about the handling of probate

timg147

Hi

We engaged a legal services company to handle the probate and administration of our parents estate. The handling of their estate was initially ok, perhaps a bit slow and a few basic mistakes made. For instance we believe probate forms were not submitted for over a year due to oversight on their behalf. The solicitor dealing with the estate has now retired (almost 6 months ago) and we have only just had official notification from them. We are now ina position where it's almost impossible to get updates from them. I had submitted all the information to them on an Excel document,  we have asked for the funds received to be declared against what I had submitted to them. I am also aware there is an almost six figure sum outstanding, back in October last year they were going to make a payment to us of funds received which has yet to materialise. We are asking for communication and transparency from them and getting nothing.
Where do we go from here? An official complaint,  to whom? Directly to them or a professional body or even ultimately the police. Any thoughts? 

Savvy_Sue

just checking, what sort of 'legal services' company is this? are they, for example, listed on the SRA website? If they are, you can complain to them. 

Marcon

timg147 said:

Hi

We engaged a legal services company to handle the probate and administration of our parents estate. The handling of their estate was initially ok, perhaps a bit slow and a few basic mistakes made. For instance we believe probate forms were not submitted for over a year due to oversight on their behalf. The solicitor dealing with the estate has now retired (almost 6 months ago) and we have only just had official notification from them. We are now ina position where it's almost impossible to get updates from them. I had submitted all the information to them on an Excel document,  we have asked for the funds received to be declared against what I had submitted to them. I am also aware there is an almost six figure sum outstanding, back in October last year they were going to make a payment to us of funds received which has yet to materialise. We are asking for communication and transparency from them and getting nothing.
Where do we go from here? An official complaint,  to whom? Directly to them or a professional body or even ultimately the police. Any thoughts? 

I'm surprised you've not made a formal complaint before now. Look on their letterhead or website and see who regulates them - and I trust you have used a regulated firm...?

No evidence of a crime, so the police won't get involved.