Retrieving a Deceased Relatives Bank Statements

Supertee

Hello to everyone
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to request the bank statements for the last 6 years of a deceased relative.
My Uncle died suddenly on 13th Jan this year, my mother (his sister) was sole beneficiary and executor of his will.
The problem we have is lack of paperwork, my Uncle hated it. He lived alone all his life, never married, just did the same thing every week for the last 40 years, worked, helped out at the local football team every weekend.
Mum says he walked everywhere, did'nt drive or use public transport, she also says that he liked investing his money. In 2005 it is known he had at least £75,000. His bank balance at his death was just £6,500. My mum says he must have invested it somewhere.
His bank (Barclays) have been very unhelpful when enquiring about previous statements, and just say that he must have spent it. He was a man who never had any time off work and no family of his own to support.
But with next to no paperwork, what can we do?
All replies will be very appreciated.

Cmdr_Bond

Well it is entirely possible that it has been spent, it could be he was conned out of it. But then again, it is just as possible that it is still in the system.

I can't see why they shouldn't release the statements. There would be a £10 fee for requesting them (I think), it is just a matter of getting through to them.

Regarding Barclays, have you spoken to his branch or the call centre or both? I would have thought talking face to face with someone in a branch would be the best way to get the ball rolling.

If you haven't done this already, then go in with all the relevant paper work and the executor and hopefully you might get somewhere. I'm sure if all else fails there must be some legal recourse.

Sorry I'm not much help, good luck.

LillythePink

they probably just don't want the hassle of getting them - but of course you can request them

as said, there will be a fee and it probably won't be a quick thing (for the first 4 to 5 years) but the last year should be easy to get for you.

Mikeyorks

There's considerable advice - as always - on the main site. Try wading through this ..... in particular the link to 'mylostaccount' :-

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaim-lost-assets-free

Chadsman

When reclaiming bank charges was the subject of the moment people wrote about sending in a cheque for £10 to Head Office with a request for the previous 6 years statements- I got the impression that was a statutory fee. It should not be too difficult to get back statements once you find a person who knows what they are doing.
:beer:

jonesMUFCforever

Your mother can ask Barclays for the statements as Executor - which others have said should cost £10.
They might be more willing to help you if say they could just get details of any withdrawal over £1000 - a lump sum transfer or investment would show up.

Good luck if he really tore up all paperwork this could be a very time consuming estate to administer!

Andy7856

Sadily I am in the same position, are you applying for probate? most banks wont speak to you unless you present the grant of probate and death cert (security etc) - plus some form of ID.

I would suggest you also get a list of all DD and SO as it could be possible your Uncle could have been paying into a savings account or a life policy with another company and at least that would enable enable you to continue the investigation.

Google "Barclays Probate" for some help.
NB: Other search engines are also available.

Good luck and let me know it goes.

dzug1

Andy7856 wrote: »

most banks wont speak to you unless you present the grant of probate and death cert (security etc) - plus some form of ID.

Which is really stupid as you need the information to get that grant of probate in the first place...

I think it's (as it is so often) a question of finding someone in the bank who actually understands what is going on

Supertee

Many thanks for all replies, really do appreciate it.
As for going to his branch of Barclays, we have already done so (my Mum uses the same bank). When sat behind the desk explaining what kind of person my Uncle was and how he lived his life she was so dismissive of what we said saying that people change and so on. You got the feeling she just could'nt be bothered.
In reply to Andy, yes we received the grant of representation(probate) 2 days ago, so no problems there.
Having spoke with close friends of his, they all commented on how he was looking forward to retiring at 60, he would have been 59 today.
I think the way to go forward is like I said to Mum, get hold of as many years bank statements as possible so we can see where the funds have gone, whether he did spend it, or just move it somwhere else.
Thanks once again.

dzug1

You may find that in April and May you get annual statements through the post for those other investments, assuming they exist.

And whilst two months is a reasonable time to get probate, that assumes you know enough about his affairs to know you have complete information. In retrospect it sounds as though you didn't.

It would be unwise to wind up the estate in a hurry and certainly advertise for creditors.

roddydogs

How do you know he only had accounts at Barclays? might have been others.