Solicitors fees

[chatterer]

A relative who died recently intestate in England but all information on her assets/bank accounts were known at the time of her death to family members who willingly provided all information to the lawyers. We have been quoted a fee of £1500 which has been accepted by the legal beneficiaries but in the last few days the fee has jumped to over £3000.  Is this excessive?
Cheers

[dawnsh]

Have you asked for a breakdown as to what they have done for that money?

The solicitors should not have gone over the agreed £1500 fee without asking the family for more funds.

where in the world are you?

[CaroleW]

Why are you using a solicitor to apply for Letters of Administration?  Is it a very large estate attracting Inheritance Tax? 

If it's within IHT limits just download forms PA1 and IHT205 online and nominate a trusted family member or members to make the application.  It's a simple process

[Greensleeves]

I wonder whether the quote was for £1500 'plus disbursements' which could certainly push up the final bill.  As already suggested, someone needs to contact the lawyers and request a detailed breakdown of the fees and disbursements to date. 

As Carole says, if the estate is not particularly complicated, it is easy enough to obtain Letters of Administration without legal assistance.  But obviously if matters are more complicated then to proceed without a proper legal representative would be a bit risky.

Regards
GS

[chatterer]

Hi Dawsh. All beneficiaries  are in England except one who resides in Scotland. The beneficiaries all agreed to an initial fee of £1500 in January. Total value of estate is £241k .
CaroleW letters of admin etc amounted to about £300.
All 4 beneficiaries agreed to lawyers fees of £1500
Solicitor statement says agreed fee £1500 and anticipated fees to completion another £1400.
No explanation as to what the other £1400 is for.
Cheers

[CaroleW]

You say the £1500 was an "initial fee" which suggests it was a "deposit"

Is the solicitor also dealing with the liquidation of assets and distribution of the estate?
 

[groom]

Solicitor statement says agreed fee £1500 and anticipated fees to completion another £1400.
No explanation as to what the other £1400 is for.

You need to ask for an explanation - but keep in mind that every time the solicitor writes to you he charges!

[CaroleW]

Unless it's absolutely unavoidable - never involve a solicitor as there won't be an awful lot of estate left by the time they finish.  Many have hourly rates of £300 and above plus vat so it doesn't take very long to rack up a huge legal bill

[chatterer]

CaroleW.
Solicitor dealing with the liquidation of assets and distribution of the estate are the same company.
Marie