Hi, not sure if this question should be part of the same discussion as here...
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=114588
It is related to the same inheritance but it's a separate question. We are currently trying to get information from our solicitor regarding the fees charged for his probate work. He has not been forthcoming as yet but my query is, what happens to my late relative's cash accounts? We signed forms with the solicitor, just before the end of the process and the arrival of the bill, for the transfer of the land, and also instructions to the bank to release the money from my Aunt's bank accounts.
The question is, will that money be transferred to us directly or to the solicitor to be passed on? In other words, is he in a position to not hand over the money until the bill is settled? It's not even a question of leverage in negotiations etc, but simply that I have many bills that I could be paying with the money and I worry that negotiations and issues with the solicitor could drag on for a while if he decides to stick to his guns.
Again just to stress, we are not trying to short change the solicitor, we have no problem paying him properly for his efforts. As you'll know if you've read the other thread, we feel that his bill is unreasonable and we were not given notice of how his fees would be calculated.
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=114588
It is related to the same inheritance but it's a separate question. We are currently trying to get information from our solicitor regarding the fees charged for his probate work. He has not been forthcoming as yet but my query is, what happens to my late relative's cash accounts? We signed forms with the solicitor, just before the end of the process and the arrival of the bill, for the transfer of the land, and also instructions to the bank to release the money from my Aunt's bank accounts.
The question is, will that money be transferred to us directly or to the solicitor to be passed on? In other words, is he in a position to not hand over the money until the bill is settled? It's not even a question of leverage in negotiations etc, but simply that I have many bills that I could be paying with the money and I worry that negotiations and issues with the solicitor could drag on for a while if he decides to stick to his guns.
Again just to stress, we are not trying to short change the solicitor, we have no problem paying him properly for his efforts. As you'll know if you've read the other thread, we feel that his bill is unreasonable and we were not given notice of how his fees would be calculated.