Anyone know if it's usual practice for lawyers in Spain to ask for money up front?

[Belladesconocida]

hello, DF lives in Spain. He wants to use a lawyer (probate) but has been asked for a considerable sum up front.

Neither he, nor his brother or friend seem to think this is odd, but why would they ask for money before having done anything?

The lawyer's fee is in GBP (they are English/Spanish and have an office in London & in Madrid) rather than in euros, would that ring alarm bells for anyone?

DH convinced they are having DFs eyes out (got a quote from a uk lawyer for one of the things dad wants to sort and its a third of the cost the spanish lawyer is asking) but DF insists he wants to use them.

I think in many European countries it's normal to ask for payment up front if there is a risk that the client could leave the jurisdiction without paying their bill.

TBH it's standard practice in the UK for solicitors to get a payment on account up front.

it is? I am woefully ignorant. Thank you for responses