Can we have your legacy back?

Jul 5 2009 by Mr Justice, Sunday Sun

WHERE there’s a will there’s a way . . . to make a mistake.

Solicitors cocked it up when they sent money to recipients of a legacy.

Alan Dodgson was one of 10 people named in a late relative’s will. He was sent a cheque for his share – a nice £3891 – from solicitors Atteys.

But the lawyers demanded £2086 back because of an administrative mistake. The other legatees were asked to repay a similar sum. Why? Because cheques were sent out before inheritance tax was deducted.

Alan, of Barnard Castle, County Durham, said: “I could not believe what happened. The lawyers made a mistake, not me, yet they are threatening court action against me. You would expect them to get it right in the first place.

“Everyone received almost £4000 each but some have already spent it on cars, or given it to their children, so the money is not there any more.” Let’s look at the evidence, m’lud. Last March, Alan and the others all received a letter from Atteys Solicitors, of Doncaster, South Yorkshire. In it they were told they would each receive £3891.83 from the estate of the late Jane Musgrave.

In April, the Atteys 10 received another letter. It said: “We have not made a retention to cover the inheritance tax payable on the property and we apologise for this omission. To enable us to pay the inheritance tax we would be grateful if you could provide us with a cheque in favour of our firm.”