When I found myself at a complete standstill in moving forward with executing my dear mother's last wishes and testament, I felt utterly helpless. Mom, having been a resident of the UK, having had to revise her Will in Canada, had saved her money like a little squirrel to leave for her children. Unfortunately, one bank in the UK refused to release a very small account into an estate account here in Canada, where I reside, holding up the whole process for over a year. The bank refused to recognize her Canadian Will and imposing very expensive processes that solicitors had told me would cost more than the accounts value. During COVID-19 I was unable to even go to the UK to try and sort things out, let alone get more than a recording about delays due to COVID to speak with someone.
One particular morning, an angel gave me the courage to look through my best friend's legal papers, my Ma, once again to try and find anyone who could potentially help me in the UK. It was then that I found Hargreaves Gilman Solicitors and Deborah Millington. I could not believe how inexpensive it was for my beloved Ma to make a WIll with them! Believe me, it was such a comfort to hear the voice of Debbie at the other end of the telephone, across seas, clarifying to me UK policies, and guiding me and coaching me over several months to move the file over to get them to release Ma's hard earned funds. And, with her help, we did it... once and for all. Furthermore, Debbie was the only solicitor that agreed to do the daunting task for a most reasonable amount of money. In the end, she did not even want to charge me! Unbelievable!
This WOULD NEVER happen in Canada. Here, we would have to chase the professional hoping for acknowledgement of an email, and then we would be charged dearly for having them read and respond! I don't think it is even just a difference in international policy as other solicitors in the UK did not respond to emails either.
If you want a compassionate, professional, and more than fair solicitor, Deborah Millington is your go-to person. Though the whole ordeal with the particular bank in the UK brought me down, and made me feel alone and helpless in executing the last of my treasured Ma's wishes, during the most difficult time of my life, I will never forget Debbie and will always be grateful for having found her and her assistance. Thank you, Debbie! Your a star!