Beneficiaries and their solicitors

S

Sailorgirk

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I am execetor of a will with quite a few beneficiaries. I have instructed a solicitor who is working on this matter and preparing the SA2. I am trying to cut down on estate costs and had quite a chunk of work done on probate before I instructed a solicitor who was quite impressed with the work done & agreed a price bearing in mind the work I had done.

Now one of the beneficiaries has raised non complicated queries through their solicitor to rheso I proceeded to respond to the beneficiaries solicitor via email to answer the queries... This solicitor responded by saying she'll only deal with the estate solicitor.. I haven't instructed the estate solicitor to reply to this solicitor so my question is can a beneficiaries solicitor demand this?
 
Why does the beneficiary have any questions at all?

You're not obliged to answer them.

If they want info and you're prepared to share it, they can take it from you & not generate unnecessary costs.

Otherwise, they can wait in line.
 
DannyBoyD said:
Why does the beneficiary have any questions at all?

You're not obliged to answer them.

If they want info and you're prepared to share it, they can take it from you & not generate unnecessary costs.

Otherwise, they can wait in line.
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Thank you for your reply. Can a solicitor insist on only dealing with the estate solicitor and ignore the execetors reply?
I did expect some questions & I've no problem answering them as I feel it's my role to keep beneficiaries informed but it's this solicitor that is refusing to deal directly with me has annoyed me. It's like I'm a nobody
 
The estate solicitor works for you and in accordance with your instructions.

Make it clear to the beneficiary’s solicitor that these instructions don’t extend to dealing with queries that you can satisfactorily deal with yourself. Her acceptance of your position is her own business but not something you should be concerned with.

Instruct your own solicitor not to engage with her either.
 
I concur with all advice given. OP can do as they see fit, so long as they are acting within the law and in the best interests of the estate.

The demands of beneficiaries or their solicitor can be treated the same way as the demands of a spoilt 2 year old, including totally ignoring them if it comes to it.
 
Just to be 100% clear, the "estate solicitor", is actually the executor's solicitor. The executor is not obliged to answer questions or correspondence from beneficiaries or their solicitors, the executor's solicitor may not communicate with anyone other than the executor, without specific instructions.
 
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