K Stewart
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Loss of a loved one and probate services.
I’m unsure how far back my families history goes with this firm, but it’s at least 20 years since my grandmother passed. S&M handled the estate without any issue as I understand it - with my father and his brothers overseeing matters.
Unfortunately and with great sadness for myself and family our father passed away in March 2023, this was, and still is hugely upsetting.
My motive in sharing the following review is in the hope that by reading this you avoid the same pitfalls that myself and family foundered upon in dealing with this business.
We have recently concluded the estate/probate including the transfer of my father’s house to my sister and partner.
As highlighted my family had history with this business, I live in Melbourne Australia so at the time of my fathers illness I dropped everything to get over and spend the last few days with Dad - which I feel incredibly fortunate about now looking back.
A few days after my father’s passing we called S&M to advise of our father’s passing and to get a sense of what we needed to do and what was to come, emotions running high and of course knowing nothing about probate.
From the outset we were advised that the best way forward and most economical option would be to have my brother and sister as executors and to excuse myself given it would be easier for them to sign documentation without my involvement. This seemed reasonable and knowing nothing about what happens under these circumstances and the knowledge this business has history with our family and given the distressing circumstances - we had implicit trust.
Shortly after this call and father’s funeral, with a heavy heart I made my way back to Australia.
All necessary estate information was provided to the firm which included:
- 1 house
- 1 car
- 4 bank accounts
From this point onwards we were in the dark. There was a real gap for us in understanding what we needed to do to assist in moving things along, and as my brother and sister as executors what their roles and responsibilities were, nothing was at all clear nor forthcoming. When it came round to selling the car we were given information verbally but it wasn’t helpful we ended up working this one out on our own and was not straightforward.
I would have hoped for and requested basic documentation or a guide e.g. What, Why, How to assist the executors - nothing was provided outside of the terms of engagement.
I lost confidence early on, we experienced private estate documentation going missing on more than one occasion on route to the inland revenue. However being only a beneficiary there wasn’t a whole lot I could do since I had been advised against being an executor.
As the estate was being wound up in Feb of this year and reviewed by the RFPG auditors court - we received the probate fees: $9,960.00 this obviously excluded the conveyancing fees and settling of the house.
We wanted to question/challenge these probate fees and I requested a breakdown invoice. I was refused “we do not provide an itemised list nor an invoice” as I understand it in Scotland to request this is standard practice and expected. (Detailed in attachments)
As I’m sure you’ve surmised, both the service and cost based upon the quantum and quality of work were at complete odds.
My father worked 6 days a week, a real genuine honest guy, never took holidays retired at 77 - passed away at 79. Having seen his hard earned £ wasted through S&M clandestine unscrupulous practices - I find whole heartedly unacceptable and unconscionable.
This business failed my family, we were seen as transactional no thought or consideration for the grief and pain we were facing - simply easy money.
If you’ve read this far I trust this information serves you well.... Read more
21st Jun 2024 (11 weeks ago)
C McWhirter
Professional, helpful and friendly on my first visit. It's not stuffy like some offices .
At this time I would recommend them.... Read more
26th Jan 2023 (1 year ago)