Hello there,

I need some advice on the conduct of a solicitor, hopefully you can advise me.

My parents were married for 59 years and had three sons, myself being the eldest. My father died aged 94 just after Christmas 2010. My mothe,r in her 80's, received a letter yesterday from Glasgow solicitors referring to my father. They had been consulted by an individual claiming to be the son of my father. They then went on to request if she could confirm my father's death and advise them of the name of the solicitors who acted in my late Father's estate.

My mother now lives on her own and was totally unaware of any possibility of my father possibly having another offspring. She is devastated and very distraught about the contents of this letter.

On contacting the solicitors by telephone, they informed me that this individual walked into their office last week and asked them to action his request. He had no evidence to support his claim, but stated that he has got a birth certificate with my father's name on it.

Personally I am very annoyed at the way these solicitors have approached this request from their client.

My question to you is this: Do you think it is ethical of the solicitors sending the above mentioned letter directly to my mother? Bearing in mind the potential upsetting and damaging consequences of its contents, and if so, what can we do about it?

I look forward to your response.

Many thanks.
EJ, Argyll

Optional Information:
Province/Country relating to question : Argyll, Scotland

Already Tried:
Contacting the solicitors by telephone. They stated that their client is not interested in contacting family members, only in the issue of possible inheritance. They are now asking him to provide evidence of his claim by producing his birth certificate.