How to check for deceased's bank accounts?

Mrs_Money

I am an administrator for a relative's estate and am nearing the end of the process. He was single, lived alone, did all his banking online (and rarely bothered to print anything out!) so, although I have administered his current account, the details (a bank card) of which were obvious, and one savings account (only clue was one A4 letter from the provider!), I am concerned that there may be a possibility of other accounts in existence.
All paperwork in his home was thoroughly checked and I was able to approach one bank after finding very old statements on a defunct closed account.
I cannot get access to his BT email account which may have given me some clues (phoned and have been told categorically NO!) so- how do I do a final check to make sure no monies exist elsewhere?

LHW99

How about trying:
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/tracing-lost-bank-accounts-savings-or-premium-bonds

Mrs_Money

Thanks I've filled it in - it's not exhaustive though, as they make you choose a maximum of 3 locations and possible accounts could be anywhere! Also strange questions around having permission of the account holder, then - is the account holder deceased?!
But I've tried! We'll see...

dunroving

I would be interested to se the answer to this question, as I am in a similar situation (i.e., as the deceased, except I'm not). It dawned on me recently that in the event of my demise it would be pretty hard to locate my "money". Even though I don't have a load of bank, retirement, or investment accounts, two of them are in the US as I used to live there ... does the "lost account" service also check for investment accounts, S&S ISAs, etc.?


I'd guesstimate all of my "cash" is in ... 7(?) different places (three banks (one in the US), two employer pension schemes (one in the US), two investment platforms). Then there's UK state pension, US state pension, plus one "state pension" in a third country, though as a single person they are all probably irrelevant.

Vortigern

Is it worth asking the Post Office to redirect his mail for a year, to capture any annual statements and/or certificates of interest?

Mrs_Money

Vortigern wrote: »

Is it worth asking the Post Office to redirect his mail for a year, to capture any annual statements and/or certificates of interest?

Yes, I did this immediately he died, thinking it would help me find out some details of his financial life - all I've had so far is junk mail. But it's always worth doing and I'd advise anyone in the same position to do it.

Mrs_Money

dunroving wrote: »

I would be interested to se the answer to this question, as I am in a similar situation (i.e., as the deceased, except I'm not). It dawned on me recently that in the event of my demise it would be pretty hard to locate my "money". Even though I don't have a load of bank, retirement, or investment accounts, two of them are in the US as I used to live there ... does the "lost account" service also check for investment accounts, S&S ISAs, etc.?

I'd guesstimate all of my "cash" is in ... 7(?) different places (three banks (one in the US), two employer pension schemes (one in the US), two investment platforms). Then there's UK state pension, US state pension, plus one "state pension" in a third country, though as a single person they are all probably irrelevant.

I think we're all guilty of having accounts all over the place etc- after all we are all having to move money about every year to get a better rate of interest!
That said, I now have passwords recorded where in the event of our demise, they can be found and a list (which needs updating!!!!) of our accounts, where they are and their account numbers.

Mojisola

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/home-safety-and-security/lifebook/

This is useful but, of course, you have to remember to update it. It's also worth letting someone you trust know that you have it and where it's kept - somewhere secure because of all the information in it!

If you want to see how difficult you're making it for those you leave behind, try filling in the forms as if you've died and see whether they would be able to sort out the estate.

badger09

OP

If you have access to the deceased's current account statements, it should be relatively easy to identify incoming deposits from, and payments to other accounts.

Some banks show the full to/from account details , some show only the user's nickname for the receiving/sending account, which in my case will be something like San123 01, BOS 03 etc which would at least give you a clue where to look

I realise that every movement may not have been through the 'main' current account, but this may unearth further accounts and you'll then need to repeat the tracking process.

Good luck

Di-Dough

https://www.mylostaccount.org.uk This brings up a form which you fill in with your details and the deceased`s details and tick the banks (ii lists all the banks and building societys) and they then email you whether or not they can find an account in the Deceased persons name.

HTH

Di