Legitimacy of e-mails

[Jugglering]

How "legal" are e-mails ? Do they have the same status as a written letter ? For example, I received a letter from a firm of solicitors advising me that a relative had recently passed away intestate (no Will) and that I was one of three people who would share in his estate. They asked me to contact them to let them know if I wished to claim my share. They have provided an e-mail address on their headed paper, so can I simply e-mail them to make/ refuse my claim or will I need to put it in writing and post it snail-mail ?

[Eve]

I'm a lawyer and use e.mail all the time but don't do estate work. Usually e.mail is only excluded when it comes to served documents (g court papers) and the like.

Depending on any time limits you could e.mail them (though i'd advise against using a general office address, make sure it goes to the person dealing) and ask them to acknowledge receipt of your e.mail by return (just in case) and advise you if you should write formally by letter.

A personally signed letter may be a better idea in general.

Make sure you keep a copy of whatever you send.

[Ethel]

I would always rely on a hard copy letter, as emails can be manipulated.

By all means send an email, but add that a copy will be sent by post.

Keep copies.

[Jugglering]

Thanks Jenna and Ethel - I hadn't actually thought about e-mail manipulation, although I did check whether this firm were legit themselves. As you both suggest, I'll respond in the old fashioned way !

[Peter Pedant]

there is a scam of this type going around the internet - money up front - so you have to pay to show that she is a relative of yours

and oops after investigation, they find you're not !

Did you know the relative - or is she long lost ? in fact so lost you didnt know of her until this magic email came ?

be careful, write and dont send a cheque - they should be sending one to you !

[Jugglering]

Thanks Peter - the firm of solicitors (legit, I checked on the Law Society website) wrote to me, advising me that my uncle had died and that they were acting on behalf of another relative (named and known to me). I was asking here whether I could simply email them back to confirm/deny my claim or did I need to write back. They had not asked me for any money whatsoever !

[Jugglering]

Just to keep you all updated (I wonder if anyone will actually read this though !) - I replied by snail mail, letting the solicitors know I did want to make a claim and received a cheque this morning from them for an interim amount. It meant I could pay off my mortgage, so thank you, Uncle Matty, where-ever you may be !