Remortgage - consolidating debts - independant advice as I am "at risk"

[bruffin]

DH and I are remortgaging, of which part of it is to consolidate some credit cards debts.
The house is in joint name and the mortgage is in both names. However the credit cards are just in DH's name.
The mortgage company insist I have to have an independent solicitor to make sure I know the risk of taking on these debts.

However this morning I have been ringing round and I have had quotes for over £200. The solicitors who sent out the letter say that it shouldn't really cost more than about £50. I have so far spoken to 5 solicitors two of whom wont do it and the rest have quoted £200 to £400.
Why am I being charged so much to do a simply job?

I do know it is because of the Ettridge case by the way.

My hourly rate is £205 plus vat. Does the solicitor who wants someone else to bill you £50 think they can really do it spending just 10 mins from start to finish opening your file, dealing with money laundering procedures, examining the papers, taking your full instructions, give you advice, confirm that in writing???? Got to get real. They are assuming a risk that you'll sue them if they don't advise you properly. If you only want to pay them £50, they cn't advise you properly.

, perhaps you should clarify Collaborate that YOU don't take home 205 per hour plus vat as some people seem to think

bruffin if the solicitor said it should only cost 50 pounds, perhaps they could recommend someone that could do it for that?

The point is I know exactly what risk I am taking, i just need someone to witness the fact that i know that I am taking on the risk, so they can sure DP hasn't taken out extra loans in my name and coerced me into signing something I don't want to. it should be no more than witnessing a signiture. That is how both the HSBC and their solicitors have explained it to me and why they expect it to cost only about £50, which how much it should normally costs
The stupid thing is the money is all jointly spent, it was our joint debt just in dh's name, as we share everything.

It sounds like the quotes you had got are for instructing someone to advise you on it. Maybe you need to clarify that. If the document that needs your signature states that you know you are taking a risk and are willing to do so, then perhaps you do just need it witnessed which would be relatively cheap.

I think the OP needs to clarify the actual wording on the document that she needs to sign. It may be worded to say that she is aware of what she is doing and had not sought legal advice.