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AIBU?

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Original poster

For being angry at solicitors attitude

119 replies

AnnaJ79 · 08/09/2022 14:45

I recently sold my house. It’s been sold, mortgage paid off, new people living there since mid august but I still haven’t received my share of the sale. I’ve emailed and rang my own solicitor a few times since Monday and was told I’d have an update Wednesday. Heard nothing. Emailed again this morning and got no reply. Would it be unreasonable to ring again demanding an answer as I need this money to go towards another place for me and my kids. First time I’ve sold a house so I have no idea if im being fobbed off or not but it’s so frustrating at this stage

OP posts:
Dishwashersaurous · 09/09/2022 09:20

Any money yet op?

Original poster
AnnaJ79 · 09/09/2022 11:12

Dishwashersaurous · 09/09/2022 09:20

Any money yet op?

Not a thing from my solicitor yet. I’m seriously beginning to panic now. I presumed I would have heard from her first thing this morning. She said I would get an email regarding her bill which I’d have to agree to and then she’d transfer the money to me. Not a word from anyone since then

OP posts:
MRex · 09/09/2022 11:23

AnnaJ79 · 09/09/2022 11:12

Not a thing from my solicitor yet. I’m seriously beginning to panic now. I presumed I would have heard from her first thing this morning. She said I would get an email regarding her bill which I’d have to agree to and then she’d transfer the money to me. Not a word from anyone since then

Show quote history

"Any agreement to payment of solicitor fees is contingent on receiving the funds due from the sale of A property and all interest owing for the unauthorised retention of monies that were due for payment on Y of August 2022."

Ask now to invoke their complaints procedure, it's long overdue and there's no benefit to you in not starting this.

Caroffee · 09/09/2022 11:29

Usually funds are transferred immediately. I would be concerned.

MRex · 09/09/2022 11:29

Can I ask how you know this solicitor you've been using? And what documents you've seen relating to the sale?

Coffeetree · 09/09/2022 11:30

Why on earth haven't you made an official complaint?! Law Society and SRA. Do it quickly before your sols claim Insolvency. People get struck off the roll for this.

MRex · 09/09/2022 11:30

Can I ask how you know this solicitor you've been using? And what documents you've seen relating to the sale?

Original poster
AnnaJ79 · 09/09/2022 11:37

MRex · 09/09/2022 11:30

Can I ask how you know this solicitor you've been using? And what documents you've seen relating to the sale?

She’s the solicitor I used when separating from my ex. I’ve seen the emails sent to her regarding the sale and the funds I am due to receive

OP posts:
Idontgiveagriffindamn · 09/09/2022 11:42

You need to ring up and ask for a copy of their complaints procedure. I know it will probably be on their website but just asking for it may prompt some action.
Better still ask for the procedure and to speak to the senior partner at the firm.

MRex · 09/09/2022 11:46

Have you verified the solicitor? You can do that here: www.sra.org.uk/consumers/register/.
It should be ok because your ex's solicitor should have verified them, but worth checking. You should have seen sale paperwork if you were a co-owner, and you should have had paperwork to sign regarding the title. Did you get any of that? Did you read it all?

I think at this point you need to consider and act as though this is fraud, until and unless you receive the actual money. Complaints should be raised now, and contact Action Fraud to ask for their advice.

washingbasketqueen · 09/09/2022 11:46

Don't pay your solicitor until this is resolved.

Devastatedyetagain · 09/09/2022 11:54

My advice would be to call and speak to the senior partner - don't be fobbed off. Explain that you wish to log a formal complaint and follow up by email. You should be entitled to compensation and interest on the money they are essentially keeping from you.

arewe · 09/09/2022 11:58

You should have received your money into your bank account shortly after you handed the keys- after receiving assurance from your solicitor that they have received money from the buyer. By withholding your money your solicitor is communicating a fraud. Report them to SRA- Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Therealjudgejudy · 09/09/2022 12:00

Complain now to the SRA.

This sounds like fraud

Fuuuuuckit · 09/09/2022 12:04

Having recently been brought to the edge of insanity by conveyancing solicitors, I'd be going down to their offices and getting myself comfy.

Demand an update and the money in your account by the end of the day.

CrapBucket · 09/09/2022 12:09

OP we are all behind you. Are they local to you? I agree with physically going down there, this needs to be escalated urgently!

Original poster
AnnaJ79 · 09/09/2022 12:14

Just contacted them again was getting fobbed off by the secretary and told them I was making a complaint. Spoke to another secretary who told me she would sort it today so I’m praying she will.

OP posts:
Minfilia · 09/09/2022 12:22

So I guess what’s happened is that the entire proceeds of sale went to your Hs lawyers but they haven’t sent your share of the proceeds through to your solicitor?

If so surely it is your Hs solicitor at fault? All your solicitor can do is chase them.

You need a copy of the complaints policy - I’ve found that sending an email to your lawyer, copying in both their head of department and the complaints partner at the firm can turn a situation around very quickly…

Gazelda · 09/09/2022 12:23

Minfilia · 09/09/2022 12:22

So I guess what’s happened is that the entire proceeds of sale went to your Hs lawyers but they haven’t sent your share of the proceeds through to your solicitor?

If so surely it is your Hs solicitor at fault? All your solicitor can do is chase them.

You need a copy of the complaints policy - I’ve found that sending an email to your lawyer, copying in both their head of department and the complaints partner at the firm can turn a situation around very quickly…

Do this. Start the complaints procedure.

MRex · 09/09/2022 12:26

AnnaJ79 · 09/09/2022 12:14

Just contacted them again was getting fobbed off by the secretary and told them I was making a complaint. Spoke to another secretary who told me she would sort it today so I’m praying she will.

It's pointless to keep chasing secretaries. Start the complaints procedure (you should be able to find this online) and contact Action Fraud.

Littleheart5 · 09/09/2022 12:27

Absolutely start the complaints procedure. Formal complaint to the Law Society

mamabear715 · 09/09/2022 12:27

My God. Red flags or what?
get your money & THEN complain, @AnnaJ79 Don't let anyone else go through this, totally unacceptable. Good luck, hope you have a better bank balance by this afternoon.

arewe · 09/09/2022 12:29

AnnaJ79 · 08/09/2022 15:34

Sorry maybe I haven’t explained properly. The funds were there when we handed over the keys. The money is with my exh solicitor who dealt with the sale of the house. I’ve asked my own solicitor on numerous occasions to ask for it to be transferred but have been told they’re waiting on her to transfer the money. I’ve just called again and actually cried down the phone to the secretary because the solicitor is yet again out of office. This is so frustrating. I can’t ask my ex if he has received his share as he will just ignore my message 🙈

In that case, don't call and cry to your solicitor, but give your xh's solicitors a call and demand the answers! If you had a message on the day of completion and before handing the keys, that money was received by your xh's solicitor, and you have an agreement with your xh to share the profits, your xh's solicitor should have sent your share to your solicitor. But, because, your solicitor is behaving a bit fishy (asking to wait, not being available, when you cal), you should be able to get direct answer from your xh's solicitor.
Hope, you have an official agreement document with your xh to share the money. Otherwise, you might be in trouble.

GabriellaMontez · 09/09/2022 12:36

Start the complaints procedure. Let the solicitor know. And that you'll be expecting interest. Your solicitor is responsible for this delay. Whatever the cause. Its outrageous the keys were handed over before your solicitor had the money.

JoeyThePrawn · 09/09/2022 12:38

100% agree with making a formal complaint, this doesn't sit right with me