Mysterious bank account - help and advice needed!

My_Fathers_Daughter

Do you actually know that the account isn't being used?

Could it be that the account went to Robert Smithers when he turned 18 and he has since used the account / spent the money?

Gingernutmeg

If there's a possibility that account isn't being used is there a chance that whoever it belongs to has died? Might it be worth looking at death records locally to see if there's a Robert Smithers? If there is a death certificate it might be easy to find a date of birth and from that a copy of the birth certificate - it might at least give you an idea who his parents are/were. The fact that he was a Smithers suggests that he won't be registered as wholly illegitimate, you might be able to find the name of one parent at least.

ooobedoo

I work within data protection and all that goes with it, and there is no way that you will obtain medical records unless you get a court order, and you would need serious genetic disease or alike in the family to warrant this.

Titch89

Is it possible that Robert Smithers changed his forename at some point?

Violetta_2

There must be someone who works in Banking on MSE,they may lurk on the Money sections might be worth posting there for advice. I wonder if you might be able to get the bank to pass a letter to the account beneficiary, along the lines of you are grans relations and you would be interested to know some details. No offence to any cashiers anywhere but it might be worth speaking to someone higher up the chain iyswim re info on the trust fund. Most intriguing.

elisamoose

Surely if the acouint is now in the name of Robert Smithers , it is nothing to do with the estate or with the family?

bobothebear

Do you not have access to all you Grans old paperwork?Bills,bank statements etc?
When my Grandad died a few years ago my Nan went through every last thing relating to him and we burnt it all. There was absolutely tons dating back a good 30 odd years. I don't think they ever threw anything away!!

If she'd kept all that kind of thing you maybe able to track down when the account was created and when the money moved etc etc.