I concur with much of what Peter Gibson says in the article “Bereaved relatives hit by high fees” (July 6).

Fees quoted to the consumer organisation Which? in its recent survey ranged from £4,759 to £13,395. There is a vast array of people offering probate services with a mind-boggling range of fee structures.

Typical high-street banks offer percentage-based fees, regardless of complexity and time taken.

Four per cent is not uncommon. Law Society guidelines for solicitors include an hourly rate, plus an additional percentage element.

Others, such as ourselves, offer a fee, usually fixed, based on the time taken thus avoiding excessive fees for large simple estates. Even pre-paid schemes have been marketed. This is an unregulated market and fees reflect wide-ranging knowledge, experience and qualifications.

Members of The Society Of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) are the most qualified people to do this work.

Not all solicitors are STEP qualified and not all STEP members are solicitors. It is incredible our work dovetails with that of financial advisors who are currently undergoing huge changes through the Retail Distribution Review. The review is designed to deliver much higher levels of qualifications and competence and fair, transparent fee structures.

It is high time the probate market faces similar regulation.

Angus Houston, Trust and Estate Practioner, Pavilion Row, York.