Cancelling heir hunter contract

andywhi36

My father was contacted over 2 years ago by a heir hunter company regarding a long lost cousin. This all checked out, was on the bona-vacantia list and they requested he signed a contact for their share (15%) and arranged confirmation via solicitor so that they could deal with treasury solicitor on their behalf. This was all done approx 2 years ago, and they have since been very evasive regarding progress or general info as to when it will all be completed. They do say they have 2 further beneficiaries, but this is very vague. Emails always consist of 1 line replies, do not answer any of the questions asked and obviously alarm bells are sounding. We've had no information regarding other family members and they've asked no questions to our family to help their investigations. This has been going on a long time. Last year they said payment should be made August (2016). We know these things can take a while, it's not about the money but the potential that some company could be ripping us off.

We have contacted the treasury solicitor who confirms they paid out in July 2015 and will not provide any more information. We do not even know the amount involved.

My questions are:

1) how do we know the value of the estate, and if the heir hunter finally gives us an amount how do we know its the true amount received?
2) as this company is obviously not keeping up their side of the contract (eg. providing no information voluntarily over 2 years) can we get out of this contract or are they breaking the law?
3) who holds these "heir-hunters" accountable? They are a LTD company based in the North of England, but unless we know the amount involved we don't even know if it's worth going down the legal route to force them to pay out. Basically what's to stop them never paying out, or saying here's your share: £100 when it's actually £10,000

Our family is now at it's whits end, we don't know where to turn next - please can anyone help with any advice!! Many thanks in advance

getmore4less

Start with the probate records.

Who administered the estate.

andywhi36

Thanks for your reply. There is no probate record when we seach the .GOV site, only his mother whom died the same year. He died in 1987 and went onto the bona vacantia list