Inordinate Title Research Fees

[joeyd]

I am a beneficiary in my aunts estate who died intestate. After receiving my share of the estate, I requested from the solicitor who handled the distribution, a full set of the estate accounts. The firm of solicitors proved to be very unhelpful and in the end I complained to the Law Society. This week I finally received what can only be described as a 'generalised' set of accounts.

I discovered that the estate was valued at around £126,000. The amount available to be distributed to beneficiaries was slightly in excess of £50,000. I was shocked to find that a payment of £57,000 had been made to a company called 'Title Research' who carried out the search for eligible family members. The solicitors fees/costs came to just over £10,000. This essentially meant that over 50% of the value of the estate had been taken up in these costs !

How are these costs/fees justified and am I within my rights to investigate this matter further. If so, what avenues are open to me?

[cNewTechnology]

Im not a legal pro, so am not sure, however I have heard about people fighting on the grounds of value for money. To start with ask for an itemised breakdown of the costs for these services.

Rgds,