Solicitor Problem... Final Bill taken from released Mortgage amount.

[Bridget76]

Can anyone help me!? i have recently bought my first property. I have been awaiting to recieve the remainding amount from my Mortgage once the total sale cost was taken, leaving me an amount of �6,000 to pay off an excisting loan and hence then being able to afford my newly inheriated monthly Mortgage! BUT i have had a nightmare with my solicitor who will not send me a final bill and seems to of taken her costs from my released Mortgage money from the bank.... Is this allowed?? Can anyone help please.Letter after letter i have had no reply from her.Many thanks.

[Ethel]

I don't really understand the situation - are you saying that you have received monies minus the solicitor's bill?

If so,that is standard practice.

[Silvercat]

Sounds to me like the only thing she may hav done wrong is not send you a proper itemized invoice.

They do unfortunately tend to take their money out of what is owing to you but you should be able to obtain some back if you subsequently find something not correct.

As someone who works in an accounting enviroment, I find sheer persistance can work wonders coupled with vague threats to take action over unlawfully deducted monies, which is what they are if she has not backed it up with her invoice. Ring her office every day if necessary until they gets fed up of you.

[buildersmate]

What Ethel says. But surely you knew what the 'bill' would be on engagement of the solicitor - they will always provide verbal or written quotations for these simple transactions up front.

[sense4all]

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/ payingforservices.law

Have a mooch to see if she is a member and then tell her you are reporting her for breaching their guidelines!