Solicitor demands for unpaid unseen invoices

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I've been using a solicitor since last June for a will/inheritance/estate matter on behalf of my children whose father (my exh) died intestate last year. When I instructed them I specifically told them that cost was an issue and I needed to keep the fees down. I paid £160 last July for a caveat and then received nothing until the 20th March which was a bill for £2,900 which I paid. About two days later I received a reminder for two unpaid invoices dated last July and August for £900 and £400 respectively. I have never seen these invoices and have not been chased for them before. I asked them to send me copies of the original emails which they did and they had the correct email address, but I have been back through my emails and have definitely never seen them.

I spoke to my solicitor who said I would have to raise the issue with a Senior Partner, so I have got to write an email to him.

I can't afford to pay them at the moment, I specifically asked them to keep costs down and now I've received demands for invoices I've never seen?

Can anyone help as to what I put in my email?

“Thank you for your invoice numbers xxx and yyy. As per my conversation with on I asked that any work to be carried out on my behalf and any associated costs were agreed in advance of the work being carried out. I did not agree these costs in advance and neither am I aware of any work carried out. I therefore dispute these invoices. Please confirm they will be credited in full. Yours xxx”

Unless you did agree the work of course! If you did but can’t afford to pay that’s a different matter

If you go on to the SRA website they’ve probably got a section on there dealing with how sols have to keep you informed re fees and what to do in event of a dispute

If they’re being difficult ask for a copy of their complaints procedure and lodge a complaint - it will at the very least buy you time

Thanks for your replies. I did agree the work but why haven't they sent me invoices (or reminders) for invoices dated last July and August but have done for work since then?

Doesn't that money come out of the estate?

If you agreed the work and they’ve done it you should pay them. You could ask for time though.

Doesn't that money come out of the estate

If the work they are doing is for the estate or to help the OP in her duties administering the estate then yes, the estate should pay.

Adding up the amounts, it equates to approximately 15 hrs work if they charge £300/hr like my divorce solicitor did.

Have they carried out that amount of work?

My concern would be that the 2 previous unpaid bills have been incorporated in the March one too.

OP you should have had a letter at the beginning that set out various terms and conditions and would have included a fee estimate. Can you try to find this (or ask your solicitor for a copy).