For as long as anyone can remember banks solicitors and will writers have offered cheap wills as a loss leader. Their objective is insert themselves in the will as executors or joint executors. Once they have done so they know they can charge what they like to obtain probate when the time comes. Fees of two three four or even ten times the proper rate are not uncommon.
Final Duties the independent probate broker is campaigning to change what it sees as a very unjust business practise. Adam Walker – Final Duties Managing Director has the following advice for consumers.
1 – if you are writing a new will ,insist that that trusted friends or relatives are appointed as your sole executers. If they need help when the time comes they will be free to appoint a solicitor of their own choice.
2 – if you have an existing will, check to see who is named as executors. If a bank, solicitor or will writer is named as either a sole executor or joint executor you should prepare a codicil to remove them or write a new will.
3 – if you have no suitable friends or relatives to act as executors then you will need to appoint a professional firm. If you do so make sure that you get a detailed written estimate of their charges for administering the estate before you commit yourself .
Final Duties offer a unique probate pre-payment option were you can fix your probate fee in advance.