As its three years on now for you this suggestion is a bit late.
My father died in UK 25 year ago without a Will. I sorted it within a couple of months, No solicitors involved.
My ex-wife died in UK last year without a Will. My sons got the whole thing sorted within a couple of months directly with the probate office.
Unfortunately solicitors are often very slow and often inefficient too, at what they do even though they charge a lot, which is increased by the length of time they take.
From 30 years experience dealing with solicitors on a professional level I avoid them whenever I am able and that means almost always.
(Apologies to any solicitors but I am sure you will understand why I say what I do).
