Help needed: transferring shares from a child to an adult

Louise14

I am desperately trying to find out how I go about transferring my shares to my own name as my father is dragging his feet. It should have happened when I turned 18, but as I'm now in my 30s I think it has been long enough. The dividends come in with his name then account and my initials. Any help will be much appreciated.

xylophone

As far as I know, you need to establish whether these shares were held in bare trust for you or simply designated.
For example see

http://www.moneywise.co.uk/investing/first-time-investor/childrens-gifts-future

"Ian Benning, product development manager at The Share Centre, says that buying shares is quick and easy. “The Share Centre’s Junior Investment Account is a great alternative to the CTF,” he adds. “It can be opened in the name of the child and can operate as either a bare trust or designated account. You will then be free to buy as many shares as you like online or over the phone, either by a regular monthly direct debit or a lump sum.”

If the shares were held in bare trust for you, then they were an absolute gift to you and you have the right to access and control at the age of 18.

However, if the shares were merely designated, then the shares belong to your father ( the designation is only the equivalent of naming an account for his convenience so that he can think of them as money set aside for gifting at a time of his choosing).