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uk Death, bereavement & serious family crises lawyer contacted after death • solicitor contacted after death • claims company contacted after death • bereavement cold call • bereavement scam call • probate scam letter • inheritance scam message • unsolicited legal services • unsolicited claims offer • targeted marketing after bereavement • estate phone call unknown firm • grief brain decision freeze • unsure whether to reply • asked to sign quickly • asked for documents fast • funeral notice scam • unknown firm contacting family • sudden death admin pressure

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

Short answer

Pause and do not engage in real time. Get their details, end the conversation, and verify independently (the firm, the individual, and what they claim) before you reply to anything.

Do not do these things

  • Do not give personal details on the call (date of birth, NI number, bank details, copies of ID, death certificate, or probate documents) “just to confirm who you are”.
  • Do not sign anything (including electronic “authority forms”) or agree to fees while you feel shocked, sleep-deprived, or rushed.
  • Do not let them steer you into “we need this today” decisions or pressure you to keep the contact secret from family.
  • Do not click links in texts/emails or open unexpected attachments related to the death.
  • Do not assume they are legitimate because they know a name, address, or that someone has died (that information is often public or can be scraped).
  • Do not pay “release fees”, “admin fees”, “court fees”, or “verification fees” to unlock an inheritance or speed up probate.

What to do now

  1. Create a safe pause. Say: “I can’t deal with this right now. Please email or post everything to me. I will respond after I’ve checked it.” Then end the call. (You don’t owe an explanation.)
  2. Write down exactly what happened. Note the date/time, number/email, the name of the person, the firm name, what they said the matter is about, and what they asked you to do.
  3. Ask for a minimum written pack (only if you choose). If you reply at all, ask for:
    • the firm’s full legal name, address, and a switchboard number
    • the individual’s full name and registration details (if they say they’re a solicitor)
    • a clear explanation of why you were contacted and where they got your details
    • a fee breakdown (including VAT) and the exact document they want you to sign (before you sign anything)
  4. Verify the firm independently (do not use their links).
    • If they claim to be a solicitor or law firm in England/Wales: check the SRA Solicitors Register for the firm and the individual.
    • If they claim to be a claims management company: use the FCA tools (Financial Services Register / Firm Checker) to confirm they’re authorised for claims management activity.
  5. Treat “official-sounding” claims as unproven until checked. If they say they’re connected to “the court”, “probate”, “HMCTS”, “the FCA”, or “a regulator”, assume it could be impersonation until you verify through official channels you find yourself.
  6. If you feel pressured, use a one-sentence boundary. “I’m not making decisions during bereavement. I will respond in writing after checks.” Repeat once, then stop responding.
  7. If you suspect a scam or you’ve already shared information, report it.
    • Report suspected fraud/scams to Report Fraud (the national fraud reporting service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
    • If you’re in Scotland, use Police Scotland routes for reporting fraud.
  8. If it’s nuisance marketing (not an immediate fraud risk), reduce future contact. Register with the TPS and report persistent nuisance calls/messages to the ICO. This won’t stop scammers, but it can reduce legitimate marketing and supports complaints.
  9. If it seems genuinely legal/probate-related but you’re unsure, route it through someone you trust. Ask a calm friend/family member to read the message first, or ask a solicitor you choose (not the one contacting you) to sanity-check the approach.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to instruct anyone for probate, a claim, or an inheritance matter.
  • You do not need to send documents immediately. Most legitimate processes can wait for you to breathe, sleep, and verify.
  • You do not need to take calls. It is reasonable to require written communication only for now.

Important reassurance

Being unsure whether to respond is a normal bereavement reaction: your brain is trying to protect you from making a costly mistake while you’re vulnerable. Taking 24–72 hours to verify and think is sensible, not “difficult”.

Scope note

These are first steps to slow things down, prevent avoidable loss, and verify who you’re dealing with. Whether you later need probate help, a solicitor, or specialist advice depends on the estate and circumstances.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you feel out of your depth, choose an independent regulated professional and take someone with you (or join the call) so you’re not handling decisions alone while grieving.

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