Lost Money from 1998

Ksearle

Hello people!

I know a lady who lost her husband a while back and he had always managed the finances. So as you can imagine was not in a fit state to be dealing with all money matters.

It turns out, that she appears to have 'lost' nearly £100k when she sold a house with her husband back in 1998 and she has no idea what happened to it. Having worked in a bank many years ago, I know they are able to trace money once they have a starting point - and this is what we are looking for.

She has approached the bank, (Barclays) and they say that the records from the period she is looking for are "missing". She has also tried the solicitors, but they had closed down.

This is a large sum of money that she could really do with right now - what would be your advice for her to locate this money? She does not have much money, otherwise I would encourage her to go and get help from someone like a forensic accountant. So any advice would be gratefully recieved

Thank you

jonesMUFCforever

Has she moved house in that period?

If not then she would have either been getting bank statements or letters from banks/building societies.

Even though the solicitors closed down the Law Society should be able to tell you who took over the case files etc, how many local solicitor firms do you know - somebody from one of them could perhaps point you towards the right firm.

Could the £100k have been used to purchase the house she is living in now?

How has she suddenly thought she has lost £100k?

xylophone

The family home was sold and realised £100,000 more than was need to buy a new home?

A second property was sold that realised £100,000?

If so, the husband might have chosen to deposit the money in a savings account?

This account may be in dormancy if it was overlooked when her husband's estate was being wound up?

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

Ksearle

From what she was saying, it was only when she was pulling together her will and was investigating what was going on that she realised she was short.

I will indeed get in touch with the Law Society - but she has consistently banked with the same bank. I was not sure how far back records were held by banks, but strange that the period she is looking for wasn't there, even though someone had confirmed previously it was.

Appreciate the reply!

Thank you

Ksearle

Thank you so much for that! I believe there was a £100k left over as she was downsizing.

Good call on the dormant account register - I will let you know!

Appreciate your help!