Finding estates / bank accounts etc of deceased?

evobaz

My grandfather died approx 15 years old. At the time my father could find no traces of his bank accounts etc. My dad tried tracing them via mylostaccount.org but was told there was nothing in my grandfathers name.

A few days ago my dad received a letter from a company called Fraser + Fraser who are Genaeologists and trace missing Heirs. They are one of the companies featured on the TV program Heir Hunters.

They have told my dad that "We have recently been carrying out research into the estate of a person who has died and in which we believe you will be entitled to share."

They have said that they will not disclose any more info until my dad signs a contract with their company. The contract is so that they can claim 20% +VAT commision.

Is there anyway for my dad to find out what he is entitled to without entering into a contract with this company?

onlypaddy

any up-front fees? sounds dodgy to me but then I don't have any experience in this...

evobaz

There is no up front fee , if there is no entitlement to the estate then there will be no charge. Is there any advice as to how the info that they suggest they have could be accessed.

orb_3

If I understand the program correctly, they monitor the Treasury Solicitor's website for new unclaimed estates then try to track down eligible parties. That's probably the place to start if you want to try to find what they think they might have for your father. I think this is where you'd need to start :

http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/output/

Old_Wrinkly

evobaz wrote: »

My grandfather died approx 15 years old. At the time my father could find no traces of his bank accounts etc. ...

Did you mean this, or 15 years ago? A 15 year old might not have been able to hold substantial savings (in his own name) back then.

Old_Wrinkly

But the OP's first post makes it clear that the son of the deceased (and clearly now on re-reading it was just a typo) was known "at the time", so why did any estate end up in limbo (and on its way to the Crown). Why has it only just come to the attention of the "heir hunters" after 15 years? (A 15-year Bond?) Something doesn't make sense ... :think:

Ah. It might well be someone other than the grandfather. Great Aunt? Cousin?

onlypaddy

Old_Wrinkly wrote: »

Did you mean this, or 15 years ago? A 15 year old might not have been able to hold substantial savings (in his own name) back then.

or, infact have grandchildren for that matter

CLAPTON

if you have found nothing in 15 years then paying 20% plus vat on anything that they turn up seems good value to me.. but read the contract very carefully

evobaz

Old_Wrinkly wrote: »

Did you mean this, or 15 years ago? A 15 year old might not have been able to hold substantial savings (in his own name) back then.

Oops....sorry, yes thats a typo.

Should have said 15 years ago.:o

breadwinners

More likely not to be the grandfather.

evobaz

My dad was saying that it was approximately 1 year ago when he contacted mylostaccount.org. Could this be the reason why the heir hunters have not been intouch?