I operate a domiciliary care business, and am looking for advice on a probate debt.
We have a client who has passed away who owes us approximately £1,400.
We are waiting for probate but for various reasons, I do not think the clients relative will be willing to make payment of the invoice.
This is a relatively small invoice amount, so I am only looking for an hour of advice or so, but I am keen to know:
1) Whether there is anything I can do at this point beyond sending the client the invoice and informing them that the debt is due. 2) Whether there is any way to find out what stage the probate process is at, beyond checking the probate website every week or two to see if it has been issued. 3) Once probate is issued, what to do. This is the main question for me as I am conscious there is little I can do before probate is issued. If the client’s relative continues to ignore me, I don’t know the point at which I should escalate the legal action, and take the client to small claims court. Do I need to send multiple letters, spaced out at intervals, before I initiate court action?
I’m keen to have a plan on how to act when the probate is granted.
The other small concern I have is that maybe the client didn’t qualify for probate at all, and their assets have been distributed without letting anyone know, but I think the chances of this are minimal.
I would welcome someone providing advice and assistance on this matter, and potentially the ability to write to the client as well. If you are able to provide an hour of advice, could you provide your hourly rate?
