Heir Hunters

troyster_2

I don't want them to do it for free, but a third plus vat takes away 40% of the legacy which I think is a bit excessive. If they had said 20% plus vat I think that would be more reasonable. Plus it could be 40% of anything because they won't tell you the value, so it's like writing a blank cheque.

skylight

Leave it a few days.

There is the possibility of another heir hunting firm making contact about the same thing, and if that happens then you could probably negotiate a better deal than 1/3.

pimento

troyster wrote: »

I don't want them to do it for free, but a third plus vat takes away 40% of the legacy which I think is a bit excessive. If they had said 20% plus vat I think that would be more reasonable. Plus it could be 40% of anything because they won't tell you the value, so it's like writing a blank cheque.

The heir hunters won't know the value either. The Crown won't tell them, only the rightful heir. They're taking a punt like you are.

troyster_2

pimento wrote: »

You just need someone with a full Ancestry subscription. I have one and would be happy to do a look up for you if you would like me to.

Just PM me. No charge..

Thanks, but I tried that it didn't show up the people I needed.

PudseyDB

I guess you could wait a little and see if another company contacts you? They might ask the same charge though

System

PudseyDB wrote: »

1/3rd of the money seems a bit excessive though!

Depends on the amount. The company don't know the value of the estate until the OP's mother comes forward to claim it. Theoretically it could only be a couple of hundred quid.

Although they do tend to try and estimate the worth beforehand so I imagine theres a few grand in the estate.

pimento

troyster wrote: »

Thanks, but I tried that it didn't show up the people I needed.

Why not? Were they not married in England? I have a full sub to Find My Past too.

Genealogy is my hobby.

cte1111

From watching the Heir Hunters programme, I think they said that the most distant relative that can inherit is a first cousin (removed is possible). That would fit with your suspicion - your Grandfather's niece or nephew would be your Mum's first cousin.

Do any of your Aunts and Uncles remember more about the family background? If they knew possible surnames it might be easier.

However it does seem simpler and arguably fairer just to sign up with the company that have written. They have already spent time and energy doing the research and without them your relatives wouldn't have known about the inheritance in the first place. I can understand the instinct to money save though!

pimento

goater78 wrote: »

Although they do tend to try and estimate the worth beforehand so I imagine theres a few grand in the estate.

They will search the Land Registry for the deceased address and see if they owned their own home. A house is worth having a cut of.

System

troyster wrote: »

I don't want them to do it for free, but a third plus vat takes away 40% of the legacy which I think is a bit excessive. If they had said 20% plus vat I think that would be more reasonable. Plus it could be 40% of anything because they won't tell you the value, so it's like writing a blank cheque.

Yes but before they contacted you, you had no knowledge of this money. You've basically got the situation where someone you have never met before in your life has died (alone with no family) and because you are very distantly related to the person and nobody else is left you are entitled to his estate.

Its hardly like you have done anything to deserve this money really so for the ease of it I would be tempted to pay the share.