Solicitors mis leading my mother-in-law. Please help

[pillzandskillZ]

Hi all ,

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this thread for me , this is a rather daunting and irritating subject that is really upsetting my family. I will try my best to explain the current situation and i really hope i can get some advice.

 

My girlfriends grandmother past away this year , around 3 months ago. The solicitors my girlfriends nans used is [name edited], and she gave them power of attorney. Now my girlfriends grandmother wasn't a wealthy lady by any means. She lived within her means and lived off a state pension. How ever she did have a significant amount of savings somewhere in the region of around 13,000 pounds , i don't mind sharing this number with the forum because its important you know. The solicitors in question are delaying everything , the lady dealing with the case is constantly going on about there nothing being any money left after their fee's and the funeral costs. But working out the funeral costs and other things , it doesn't add up all. I was in charge of almost everything when she passed away i saw all her assets and i saw the cost of the funeral , after the funeral costs there would still be 8000 pounds remaining , and she doesn't owe anybody money because ive checked and my motherinlaw would of known as we all saw her on a regular basis.

 

The way the solicitors are treating my family is just disgusting , they know we aren't wealthy either and the money set aside was addressed in her will for her daughter and grandchildren , which would go a long way to improving factors in their lives. We are constantly being kept out of the loop and for every phone call shes making to us shes charging us , but when ever we phone her shes never in the office because she loves to rack up the bill over the phone by calling us.

 

I just this second also found out the solicitor has put a add in the paper stating if anyone new her please come forward. :S Why would they do that?

 

The will is crystal clear anything left in the terms of money and other items goes to the grandchildren and siblings.

 

We are being taken for a ride here , shes been delaying this now for months and months. My girlfriends grandmother had next to nothing theres no way it should take this long.

 

What should we do? Contacting her would be met with snobby sadistic remarks as we have already had. She even accused my motherinlaw of stealing from the insurance pay out.

 

Please help.

Edited July 18, 2013 by honeybee13
Removing name of solicitors.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Hi Let's deal with the last question the executor has to ensure that there are no claims on the estate, before then disbursing bequests etc.

 

You must DEMAND a full breakdown of all costs/charges and disbursements made from the estate down to the last stamp. minute on the phone or attendance in person made by this solicitor if you are dissatisfied with the explanation the you have recourse to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

[citizenB]

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/relationships_w/relationships_death_and_wills_e/dealing_with_the_financial_affairs_of_someone_who_has_died.htm

 

This might give you some idea of what an Executor is required to do.

[steampowered]

Have you spoken to the solicitor to discuss your concerns and ask how long it will take? You don't know whether you will be met with a snotty response if you don't make the call.

 

If you do get a snotty response, ask for the firm's complaints procedure and complain.

[raydetinu]

best to use email to contact them anyway, much better than phone, so you have a record of what you requested and their response.

I presume you have a copy of the will, and are the solicitors named as executors, and has it been lodged for probate?

Are there any other close relatives other than your girlfriend as grand daughter that have an interest that can help?