Fiance died 2 years ago - statements are still coming to my house despite probate - can i complain to the solicitors?

[caroline_lily]

Hi all
My fiance died just over two years ago now and his estate went into probate as his mother who he had no contact with for 31 years came forward as his next of kin or so i am told.
I played fair and took all of his documents to his mothers solicitor who expressed concern over why his mother was there she said that its obvious his mother was not there out of love!!
I am still getting bank statements addressed to the 'pers representatives of....' do i have any grounds to make a complaint to the solicitor now, i always send letters on and ask for some communication over why the letters are still coming. the solicitor did have a copy of the death certificate so you would expect no communications to be sent for my fiance.
This is causing great emotional distress to myself, i loved this man and have been treated most unfairly by his 'family' and all those who chose to say they cared for him despite not treating him like he mattered when he was alive

[bimbo123456]

Why haven't you written to the bank? Or maybe you have with no joy. If not, write to them giving the solicitors' address and say you do not want any further communcation from them. Good luck.

[caroline_lily]

thanks, i have called the bank and given them the address of the solicitors and the contact name. i have also called the solicitors on numerous occasions and had no contact back from them i.e return calls.

[MarkRae]

I do sympathise, Caroline. These financial institutions' back office systems really are hopeless at times.

My downstairs neighbour died about 10 years ago, his girlfriend met another man a couple of years later, subsequently moved out and the property has been sold a further three times. Yet still the bank statements keep coming...

Have you tried putting "Not known at this address - return to sender" on then and putting them back in the post....?

[caroline_lily]

I've tried everything, letters to the bank, returned letters, letters to the solicitor etc. The banks just apologise and pass me to different departments and the solicitors don't acknowledge anything its so annoying - you'd think the solicitor would do the job she was paid for!

[MarkRae]

In which case, I think this is your last resort:
http://www.financial-...rs/complaints_a2.html
http://www.lawsociety...ing/redressscheme.law

[woofgang]

can I suggest that you write to the bank, send it recorded and say that as well as causing you extreme personal distress, they are in breach of the data protection act by continually and wilfully sending personal information to a third party ie you. Tell them that if you receive even one more misaddressed letter, you will have no alternative but to refer the matter to the Information Comissioners Office. website link here
http://www.ico.gov.uk/
but I bet that will sort it...I hope it does, it was horrible still getting stuff addressed to my Mum.

[TonyV]

Caroline - My sympathy is with you - But as mark has already said by forwarding mail it is getting to address (cannot understand why solicitor has not closed your partners account though) - if you get anymore just put felt tip over address and return to sender

[MarkRae]

Again, I sympathise Woofgang. Not only do Barclays continue to send statements addressed to my late neighbour, but they actually have the word 'DECEASED' on the end of his name. Unbelievably insensitive. I found his girlfriend one morning sitting on the lobby floor in floods of tears...

[woofgang]

Thank you Mark, it was a few years ago now. I did have to threaten one utility with the data protection act. The other stupid thing was i had occasion to phone someone else regarding my mother's estate. I got through to their "special" department and explained who I was and why i was phoning. The STUPID woman listened to what I had to say then said and I kid you not. "And do you have your mother's permission to discuss this matter with us." I am afraid i totally lost it with the poor woman and said "No hang on I'll go and dig her up and ask." Actually i couldn't have done as she was cremated....Mum would have laughed herself silly.

[caroline_lily]

Thanks all for the advice and support, i'll be contacting all concerned tomorrow x

[boxtops]

Do write, caroline - no use phoning. Keep copies.

[Buenchico]

Contact the Probate Registry and order as many copies of the 'grant of representation' as you think that you might need. The 'grant' will be 'probate' if your fiancé left a will, or 'letters of administration' if not.

The first copy costs £5 but additional copies are just £1 each. Then send one copy to each of the organisations which are writing to you, using recorded delivery. Enclose a letter stating;
"Dear Sir
I write with regard to the estate of the late Mr Xxxxxx Yyyyy, formerly of this address. Please note that the grant of representation is held by Mrs Zzzzz Yyyyy of 23 Acacia Avenue, Sometown, Anyshire, SN1 1AB. I enclose a copy of the grant for your information.

Please send all further correspondence in this matter directly to Mrs Zzzzz Yyyyyy, or to her legal representatives, Mssrs Bodgit & Meddler of 17, High Street, Sometown, Anyshire, SN3 4XY".

http://www.hmcourts-s...e.gov.uk/cms/1226.htm

Chris

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah Carolina, Buenchico has given four star advice again !

I have to say that having done probate for my parents
the bank could not wait to freeze the account




the account wasnt joint was it, special rules for them.