Re: Debt following death
Did the person who died leave an estate, ie money-house-posessions?.
Winding up a "estate" takes time, first of all a valuation has to take place of everything the dead person owned then sold.
Before that even it is a question of if he left a will or died "intestate" (no will left). Then things get more complicated which could envolve finding out if there are any relatives . This could take more time and might have a priority claim against the estate.
I think you may well have to wait some time before you can get your money back.
Only thing I can think of is if the solicitors are asking not to press for payment write to them and say they have 14 days to sort out payment or then you will have to
consider taking legal advice.
However even this can be tricky as one solicitor won't go up against another "old pals act and in same club" type of thing
If you can prove the "appliance" was purchased by yourself and on loan then I can see no reason why you can't claim it back
It all depends on what was agreed in writing when the purchase was made. Not knowing what the appliance was I don't know if it has any used retail value
Important
Of course not being in the legal profession I can only put my thoughts on here and have no legal bearing
OH forgot if the solicitors are not named as executors in a will, they will make first claim to cover their costs. This would include their hourly rate (usually well over £100 per hr)and postage travel etc
If they are named executors then they can only claim out of pocket expenses such as postage -travel and the like but not for their time
Always pays to make a will clearly statkng your wishes. This could include if you wanted to be cremated or buried- body parts left - who you want to be executors to your will- who you want money left to who gets left what (ie car house),
Married couples get left everything to each other anyway.
You may want to leave money to a hospice or charity or devided among family.
Sure as eggs is eggs human voltures will be hovering aroung trying to grab the best pickings of the deceased. Seen it too many times