Real Will / Probate Solicitor vs Inheritance Scam
Tell a genuine probate or estate solicitor apart from an inheritance advance-fee scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Inheritance and probate scams use the promise of unexpected wealth to extract fees and personal details. Genuine estate administration follows a regulated, verifiable process. The comparisons below help you stay safe when an unexpected inheritance claim arrives.
Side-by-side comparison
| Real solicitor | Inheritance scam | |
|---|---|---|
| First contact | Letter or call from a named, verifiable firm via official channels | Unsolicited email from a stranger claiming to hold funds for you |
| Upfront fees | Fees deducted from the estate on completion; any costs explained in a client care letter | Demands upfront 'release', 'customs', or 'legal' fees |
| Verification | Solicitor regulated by the SRA; verifiable on the SRA register | Cannot be found on any regulatory register; uses lookalike domains |
| Information requested | Standard probate ID checks through formal process | Requests passport scans, bank details, and fees in the same email |
| Story plausibility | Clear connection between you and the deceased | Distant or unknown relative in a foreign jurisdiction with no clear link |
Common red flags
- An email claiming a large inheritance from an unknown relative
- Upfront fees required to 'release' or 'transfer' the inheritance
- Solicitor cannot be found on the Solicitors Regulation Authority register
- Requests for passport, bank account, and payment in the same communication
- Pressure to keep the matter confidential
Verification steps
- Check the solicitor's firm on the SRA register at solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk
- Search for the named deceased person through official probate records
- Never pay fees upfront to receive an inheritance — this is not how probate works
- Consult an independent solicitor before providing any personal documents
What not to do
- Don't send passport copies, bank details, and fee payments in response to an unsolicited email
- Don't keep the matter secret on the instructions of the supposed solicitor
- Don't assume a professional-looking letter proves legitimacy
A safe response
Delete or discard the communication. If you believe there may be a genuine connection, contact the Law Society independently to find a regulated probate solicitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to inherit money from an unknown relative?
It is possible, but extremely rare, and a genuine solicitor handling such a matter would never ask for upfront fees or send the initial approach by unsolicited email with immediate payment demands.