Sorry breadstick, I meant to respond and it slipped my mind.
First of all, you dont say whether the Grant of Representation has issued yet. Do you know this?
If the Grant has been issued to your relative, there is absolutely no reason why you should not write to the solicitor who is dealing with it since you are a residuary beneficiary. One of three things will happen:-
1) You wil get the information you require
2) You will be told he cannot discuss it with you (he shouldn't but I have seen it done)
3) You will get no response.
If 2 or 3 post again with an update.