M
mat
Guest
A very elderly relative made a will with Solicitor X , 5 years later the relative passed away and on the death certificate dementia was mentioned . Probate office requested the beneficiary to obtain an affidavit from said solicitor stating that the relative was of sound mind at the time of making the will. When the beneficiary contacted the solicitor they refused to sign. The probate office then wrote to the solicitor requesting that he sign an affidavit. The solicitor has now written to the beneficiary stating that they will sign an affidavit for a fee (fee was mentioned in the letter). My query – is there a standard fee for such an affidavit or can they charge what they like and also is it normal that the solicitor contacted the beneficiary when it was the probate office who corresponded with them? (Probate was done without the assistance of a solicitor)