Finding 'lost' shares. Help please.

xxdeebeexx

Hi, I know my dad had a wide selection of shares. We are trying to sort out his estate but we can't find any share certificates.

I know, at one time, that company shares used to be overseen by registrars, and was wondering if that was still the case.

What is the easiest way of tracking down Dad's shares without the certificates?


tia

dx

laurel7172

Start by looking at the last couple of years' bank statements/paying in books for evidence of dividends. Also, did your dad fill out a tax return?

xxdeebeexx

laurel7172 wrote: »

Start by looking at the last couple of years' bank statements/paying in books for evidence of dividends. Also, did your dad fill out a tax return?

No, he didn't fill in tax returns..............
Would it state on the bank statements if they were dividends?

thanks

dx

grey_gym_sock

shares can be held either as certificates or electronically in a nominee account. there is always a registrar, but if it's a nominee account then whoever runs that is an intermediary between the shareholder and the registrar.

if it's certificates, then any dividends could either (if requested) be paid into his bank electronically, and then the name of the company would probably be on the bank statement; or (by default) they would be paid by cheque, and then the bank statement might just say "cheque deposit".

if shares are in a nominee account, there should be some paperwork from whoever runs the nominee account. any dividends might be paid into his bank account; statements would mention the nominee account provider, and perhaps also the company paying the dividend. or dividends might be credited to a cash account held with the nominee provider, in which case there should be statements for that account. well, unless it's all online and paperless, but there's always likely to be something on paper.

note that not all shares pay dividends.

catwoman150

Here is a good read. At the bottom it has a list of Registrars that might be able to help.