Legal complaints body publishes new guides on wills and executries

The guides, for consumers and for solicitors, have been launched in November when many people go to a solicitor to write a will and pay the fee to charity.

Complaints about wills and executries are in the top five areas of legal work in complaints made to the SLCC. The guides are based on issues that have come up in real complaints.

Communication and delay are amongst the issues covered, with tips and case examples.

David Buchanan-Cook, head of oversight and communications at the SLCC, said: “We know from the complaints we receive every year how important these guides are. Many of these complaints happen because there is a gap in understanding between a consumer and a solicitor. While the solicitor will be dealing with wills and executries on a regular basis as part of their working life, for a consumer the process involved will usually be unfamiliar.

“Our aim is that these guides well help both parties understand the common issues, and hopefully avoid unnecessary stress at a very emotional time.”