Solicitor completely effed up!

JessicaRabbit23 · 2026-02-21T14:24:08+00:00

Can anybody let me know if this is ok to send to a solicitor for a complaint? Am I being unreasonable? thanks Dear [Solicitor’s Name or Firm], I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding serious errors during the probate process of [Deceased’s Name]. Two wills were provided to your firm: a revoked will and the most recent valid will. Despite clear communication, the revoked will was initially sent to probate, delaying the process by several months. While I was understanding, the situation escalated when HMRC granted probate, but then uploaded the revoked will to the public registry. This has resulted in the previous beneficiary being aware of their inclusion in a superseded will, creating significant concern. Although I contacted your office immediately upon discovering this error, and you acted swiftly to correct it, the fact remains that this mistake has jeopardized the integrity of the probate process and caused undue stress. Given these circumstances, I request that your firm cover any legal costs I now incur due to potential contestation of the will. I would also like a written clarification confirming whether this incident constitutes legal malpractice or gross misconduct. Should I not receive satisfactory resolution, I will have no choice but to escalate this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Yours sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information]

Helen1625 · 25/02/2026 18:05

CallMeEvelyn · 24/02/2026 18:25

It's really not necessarily the case you'd be able to use it. Not all claims are covered, it depends on the terms of your specific policy.

Besides, it is arguably the case the dispute has been known at the point of taking up the policy so you'd need to check coverage with your insurer in any event.

She should be OK if she's just using the telephone helpline for advice.

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 25/02/2026 17:49

CallMeEvelyn · 24/02/2026 18:25

It's really not necessarily the case you'd be able to use it. Not all claims are covered, it depends on the terms of your specific policy.

Besides, it is arguably the case the dispute has been known at the point of taking up the policy so you'd need to check coverage with your insurer in any event.

What’s not necessary?

I did think that but then again nothing has happened. Yet. It did say it covers probate related problems

OP posts:

CallMeEvelyn · 24/02/2026 18:25

It's really not necessarily the case you'd be able to use it. Not all claims are covered, it depends on the terms of your specific policy.

Besides, it is arguably the case the dispute has been known at the point of taking up the policy so you'd need to check coverage with your insurer in any event.

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 24/02/2026 18:10

Helen1625 · 23/02/2026 19:14

Do you have legal assistance included with your house insurance? Or through your employer? Or why not just ask your solicitor what to do in the event that she keeps contacting you?

There are a VERY limited number of reasons for which a will can be contested and I am certain that this is not one of them. But I think you need to hear it from a legal representative before you will believe it. You're not going to take it from anyone on here, and that's OK.

Seek reassurance if you must, but block this chancer.

I have limited experience of this, I too was worried that someone was going to contest a will, I spoke to a legal representative and it was made quite clear that this person, who was a close family member, did not have a case. Far closer than what this person is to you.

Put her out of your mind. It is incredibly frustrating and crass when people come out of the woodwork when there's money involved, especially when you are grieving. They are the lowest of the low.

I just added legal assistance to my house insurance policy. Said it’s effective immediately. If she contests il use it 👌👍🏻

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MBDBBB · 24/02/2026 12:36

Musicaltheatremum · 24/02/2026 11:42

Well we sat in our solicitors office last week and the tax papers were signed and the will was signed on the first page. Now I'm not sure if this will was going to HMRC or whether this was the will that goes with the HMRC code when it goes to the sheriff court to get confirmation granted (we are Scotland so could be different) But my husband definitely signed the original will.

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Ok, yes, Scotland has a different process and a separate probate registry to England and Wales so it may be that this is a requirement in Scotland.

Musicaltheatremum · 24/02/2026 11:42

MBDBBB · 21/02/2026 15:18

probate solicitor here.

this doesn’t really add up. A solicitor cannot send a copy will to probate (unless they have asked for leave from the probate registry to prove a copy will in absence of the original). It seems very unlikely therefore that the Will sent to them was a copy. the probate registry would have queried it.

the pp who said you would have had to have signed the will before it went to probate is wrong.

it is unlikely that a firm will agree to pay your legal costs for the dispute unless you can prove categorically that there would have been no dispute if the previous revoked will had not been sent to the probate registry. It may be difficult to show that there would not have been a dispute otherwise

Well we sat in our solicitors office last week and the tax papers were signed and the will was signed on the first page. Now I'm not sure if this will was going to HMRC or whether this was the will that goes with the HMRC code when it goes to the sheriff court to get confirmation granted (we are Scotland so could be different) But my husband definitely signed the original will.

KTcatwoman · 24/02/2026 05:52

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 18:22

Do you know any probate lawyers you could recommend for some legal advice regarding this?
thanks

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Sorry, l don’t. Have been retired quite a while and no current contacts. You can check with the Law Society for lawyers in your area. They can’t recommend but can give you names. Then look at their websites; there is often good info on the better ones. Some firms will give you a short free consultation. Again, good luck xx

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 20:08

Helen1625 · 23/02/2026 19:14

Do you have legal assistance included with your house insurance? Or through your employer? Or why not just ask your solicitor what to do in the event that she keeps contacting you?

There are a VERY limited number of reasons for which a will can be contested and I am certain that this is not one of them. But I think you need to hear it from a legal representative before you will believe it. You're not going to take it from anyone on here, and that's OK.

Seek reassurance if you must, but block this chancer.

I have limited experience of this, I too was worried that someone was going to contest a will, I spoke to a legal representative and it was made quite clear that this person, who was a close family member, did not have a case. Far closer than what this person is to you.

Put her out of your mind. It is incredibly frustrating and crass when people come out of the woodwork when there's money involved, especially when you are grieving. They are the lowest of the low.

Thank you. ❤️
will have a look at my house insurance. X

OP posts:

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 20:05

MissMoneyFairy · 23/02/2026 19:11

Probate has been granted, money has been distributed, if she wants to make a fuss let her,,it's really not your concern. Did she get the keepsake. Don't waste any more,time or money.

No I haven’t given her anything. i have only got part of the money atm I’m waiting for the bank to transfer the rest. I need to settle all bills and stuff which I’m getting through. I did have a discussion with her (keepsake) the day after my dad’s death but obviously it was all up to my discretion and I was grieving. And I only said it to soften any blow that everything was rightly left to me. His only daughter. As soon as she realised she wasn’t on the will and it was an error (after searching for the probate record) why would she do this if she wasn’t after money… she then said about keepsake and that nothing makes sense as they haven’t fallen out or anything. I don’t have those answers for her other then being rude or blunt with her which I do not want to be as I am not horrible person. I didn’t reply to the messeges about keepsake. I haven’t heard anything since either.

OP posts:

Helen1625 · 23/02/2026 19:14

Do you have legal assistance included with your house insurance? Or through your employer? Or why not just ask your solicitor what to do in the event that she keeps contacting you?

There are a VERY limited number of reasons for which a will can be contested and I am certain that this is not one of them. But I think you need to hear it from a legal representative before you will believe it. You're not going to take it from anyone on here, and that's OK.

Seek reassurance if you must, but block this chancer.

I have limited experience of this, I too was worried that someone was going to contest a will, I spoke to a legal representative and it was made quite clear that this person, who was a close family member, did not have a case. Far closer than what this person is to you.

Put her out of your mind. It is incredibly frustrating and crass when people come out of the woodwork when there's money involved, especially when you are grieving. They are the lowest of the low.

MissMoneyFairy · 23/02/2026 19:11

Probate has been granted, money has been distributed, if she wants to make a fuss let her,,it's really not your concern. Did she get the keepsake. Don't waste any more,time or money.

BigAnne · 23/02/2026 18:30

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 18:22

Do you know any probate lawyers you could recommend for some legal advice regarding this?
thanks

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You don't need legal advice. Just ignore and block.

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 18:22

KTcatwoman · 23/02/2026 13:43

Hi retired lawyer here. Not probate specialist but familiar. If you married the deceased after the first will was executed then the old will became invalid because of your marriage. The deceased chose to exclude the ex’s daughter from the post marriage will provisions. If the ex’s daughter was not a dependent of his, she has no valid claim under the Inheritance provisions. Tell her to jog on. Maybe ask your lawyers about cost implications if she tries it on. Happy to be corrected by probate lawyers. Good luck xx

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Do you know any probate lawyers you could recommend for some legal advice regarding this?
thanks

OP posts:

SecretSquirrelLoo · 23/02/2026 18:20

The only outstanding issue is that this woman is making a fuss, right?

Complaining to or about the solicitor isn’t going to help with that.

The woman doesn’t have a case. She is upsetting and worrying you, but she is not a legal problem for you.

(If I have understood your posts correctly.)

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 18:17

KTcatwoman · 23/02/2026 13:43

Hi retired lawyer here. Not probate specialist but familiar. If you married the deceased after the first will was executed then the old will became invalid because of your marriage. The deceased chose to exclude the ex’s daughter from the post marriage will provisions. If the ex’s daughter was not a dependent of his, she has no valid claim under the Inheritance provisions. Tell her to jog on. Maybe ask your lawyers about cost implications if she tries it on. Happy to be corrected by probate lawyers. Good luck xx

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Hi, deceased is my dad. I’m an only child. But ex partners daughter stayed in touch with him (clearly for these reasons) My dad never remarried after my mum.

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LittleBearPad · 23/02/2026 16:52

KTcatwoman · 23/02/2026 13:43

Hi retired lawyer here. Not probate specialist but familiar. If you married the deceased after the first will was executed then the old will became invalid because of your marriage. The deceased chose to exclude the ex’s daughter from the post marriage will provisions. If the ex’s daughter was not a dependent of his, she has no valid claim under the Inheritance provisions. Tell her to jog on. Maybe ask your lawyers about cost implications if she tries it on. Happy to be corrected by probate lawyers. Good luck xx

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The OP is the deceased’s daughter!

KTcatwoman · 23/02/2026 13:43

JessicaRabbit23 · 21/02/2026 16:10

Thank you so much. Im
grieving the biggest loss of my life and having to deal with all this is what’s made me so distressed ontop of life. Usually I would go to my dad for anything like this but he’s not here anymore to ask or be reassured by.

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Hi retired lawyer here. Not probate specialist but familiar. If you married the deceased after the first will was executed then the old will became invalid because of your marriage. The deceased chose to exclude the ex’s daughter from the post marriage will provisions. If the ex’s daughter was not a dependent of his, she has no valid claim under the Inheritance provisions. Tell her to jog on. Maybe ask your lawyers about cost implications if she tries it on. Happy to be corrected by probate lawyers. Good luck xx

ldnmusic87 · 23/02/2026 12:44

Did chat gpt write it? it seems so odd.

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 12:40

LIZS · 23/02/2026 11:13

Exactly. There are two separate issues, the solicitor’s error and potential for the other party to challenge the will which she may well have done that regardless of the error. Op can complain to the solicitor and distance from the other party, blocking communication if needs be. I don’t think expecting them to admit malpractice and cover potential future court costs is reasonable though.

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It can happen. So it seems. I think she would have complained if she only saw the original will. She clearly never trusted what I said and has always been out for his money. The tone changed as soon as the mistake was rectified and she asked if she was still getting the keepsake I discussed with her. Lucky I never discussed in writing. All of this was discussed prior to the distress she has caused me and speaking about it at the funeral.

OP posts:

LIZS · 23/02/2026 11:13

Applecup · 23/02/2026 09:43

The point is that the solicitor or someone did mess up. I have changed my will a couple of times for various reasons. I would hate to think that someone who had previously been on it would see an old will and wonder why I had changed my mind. You use solicitors for a reason.

Exactly. There are two separate issues, the solicitor’s error and potential for the other party to challenge the will which she may well have done that regardless of the error. Op can complain to the solicitor and distance from the other party, blocking communication if needs be. I don’t think expecting them to admit malpractice and cover potential future court costs is reasonable though.

Applecup · 23/02/2026 09:43

The point is that the solicitor or someone did mess up. I have changed my will a couple of times for various reasons. I would hate to think that someone who had previously been on it would see an old will and wonder why I had changed my mind. You use solicitors for a reason.

Malinia · 23/02/2026 08:22

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 07:48

She knew from the start it was all
left to me. She clearly didn’t believe me. I told her face to face about a keep sake (day after death) because she was asking about his will. The fact she’s been digging and digging the whole time making it known (sending me photos of deceased house on Rightmove) and I found out she spoke about my dads will at his funeral this made me VERY uneasy and I felt like she was only after one thing so now I’m reluctant to give anything or even speak about it especially in writing. She is
not a nice person & ordeal shows. There was a reason he changed the will
so many years ago and I think it’s because he knew deep down. She must of said something unmasked.

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@JessicaRabbit23 Ah I didn't know that background. In that case send her a final communication saying you are no longer willing to discuss this further and that you will not reply to any more messages. Then block her.

She's being ridiculous and extremely inconsiderate of your grieving.

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 07:48

Malinia · 22/02/2026 19:11

OP, here's my advice:

Forget about the solicitors etc.

Write back to the other woman and say "I'm sorry that the error over the will publishing caused you upset. Dad rewrote his will in 2017 and that's the one that was legally in place when he died, which left everything to me. I completely understand that it's upsetting to have seen that he had previously included you in his will, but then changed that, but everything to do with his will has been handled legally and properly."

If you like you could offer her a keepsake of some kind that you wouldn't mind her having, if you think she would like something to revenge him by.

Either way I would finish with "I know dad cared for you and that you will have some lovely memories to remember him by. I wish you all the best for the future"

And then if she continues to go on, ignore her.

She knew from the start it was all
left to me. She clearly didn’t believe me. I told her face to face about a keep sake (day after death) because she was asking about his will. The fact she’s been digging and digging the whole time making it known (sending me photos of deceased house on Rightmove) and I found out she spoke about my dads will at his funeral this made me VERY uneasy and I felt like she was only after one thing so now I’m reluctant to give anything or even speak about it especially in writing. She is
not a nice person & ordeal shows. There was a reason he changed the will
so many years ago and I think it’s because he knew deep down. She must of said something unmasked.

OP posts:

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 23/02/2026 07:46

Sorry not of this makes sense. If you have a problem with your Solicitor. I would contact the Law Society for advice.

Original poster

JessicaRabbit23 · 23/02/2026 07:39

LIZS · 22/02/2026 19:08

Does the later will specifically revoke the previous one? You need to go through the firm’s complaints process (address to the partner/s) before the Law Society. Head it Complaint re. Will of x and set a timeframe for response.

Yes it says all previous wills
revoked

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