PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Death, bereavement & serious family crises

What to do if…
a lawyer or claims company contacts you after a death and you are unsure whether to respond

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Pause and do not engage in real time. Get their details, end the conversation, and verify the firm, the individual, and what they claim through official routes you find yourself before you reply or sign anything.

Do not do these things

  • Do not give sensitive details to an unverified caller, texter, or emailer, including your date of birth, National Insurance number, bank details, ID, death certificate, probate papers, or passwords.
  • Do not click links, open unexpected attachments, or use contact details they provide as your only way of checking them.
  • Do not sign anything, including electronic authority forms, while you feel shocked, rushed, sleep-deprived, or unsure.
  • Do not agree to fees, deductions from compensation, or “no win, no fee” terms until you have had time to read the terms calmly.
  • Do not let them pressure you with “today only”, “the court needs this now”, or “do not tell anyone” language.
  • Do not assume they are genuine because they know a name, address, date of death, funeral detail, or family connection.
  • Do not pay “release fees”, “admin fees”, “court fees”, “tax clearance fees”, or “verification fees” to unlock an inheritance or speed up probate.

What to do now

  1. Create a safe pause. Say: “I cannot deal with this now. Please send everything in writing. I will respond after I have checked it.” Then end the call or stop replying.
  2. Make a short record. Write down the date and time, phone number or email address, the person’s name, the firm name, what they said the matter was about, and what they asked you to do.
  3. Do not use their link to verify them. Search for the regulator, firm, or register yourself, or type the official address into a browser.
  4. If they claim to be a solicitor or law firm, check the right register.
    • For England and Wales, check the SRA Solicitors Register for the firm and the person.
    • For Scotland, check the Law Society of Scotland’s solicitor search.
    • For Northern Ireland, check the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s solicitor directory.
  5. If they claim to be a claims management company, check authorisation. Use the FCA firm-checking route and the GOV.UK claims company checker. Look for the exact legal name, trading name, and whether the permission matches what they are offering.
  6. Ask for a minimal written pack only if you choose to reply. Ask for the firm’s full legal name, postal address, switchboard number, the individual’s full name, their regulator or authorisation details, why they contacted you, where they got your details, the fee breakdown including VAT, and the exact document they want signed.
  7. Treat official-sounding claims as unproven until checked. If they say they are connected to the court, probate, HMCTS, the FCA, a regulator, or an estate, verify that through an official route you find yourself.
  8. Use a one-sentence boundary if they keep pressing. Say: “I am not making decisions during bereavement. I will respond in writing after checks.” Repeat once if needed, then stop responding.
  9. If you suspect fraud or already shared information, report it. For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, use Report Fraud. If you are in Scotland or the fraud happened there, use Police Scotland’s reporting routes, or 101 for non-emergency reporting.
  10. Put a trusted person between you and the pressure. Ask a calm friend, relative, executor, or solicitor you choose independently to read the message before you respond.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to instruct a solicitor, probate service, or claims company.
  • You do not need to send documents immediately just because a stranger says they are needed.
  • You do not need to answer phone calls; written contact is reasonable while you check.
  • You do not need to work out the whole estate, claim, or probate position now.

Important reassurance

Feeling unsure after a death is normal. A genuine professional should understand that you need time, written details, and independent checks before making decisions.

Scope note

These are first steps only, to slow things down, prevent avoidable loss, and help you verify who is contacting you. Later decisions about probate, claims, complaints, or legal advice may need specialist help from someone you choose independently.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, financial, professional, therapeutic, or other specialist advice. If you feel out of your depth, choose an independent regulated professional and ask someone you trust to help you review the contact before you respond.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us