Probate - claim assets for beneficiary

Orangedrop

Hi - this is my first post so apologies if this is in the wrong place!

I am the executor and in charge of probate for my late Father's account for which his spouse, my Mother is the beneficiary.

Recently, I received information from a genealogist regarding "unclaimed assets" belonging to my Father but I am unable to get further information without payment. How were they able to get this information and how can I do the same so that I claim the monies for my Mother?

Also, is there a deadline to claim on behalf on the beneficiary?

Many thanks in advance.

Nasqueron

Do not pay anyone up front funds, it's got scam written all over it - if they knew they had a guaranteed payment for you, they'd ask for a cut of the money like PPI firms do.



There are sometimes firms who can trace old assets but you'd presumably have some paperwork or mother's memory over things like investments, pensions etc which you could look into yourself

[Deleted User]

Orangedrop wrote: »

I received information from a genealogist regarding "unclaimed assets" belonging to my Father but I am unable to get further information without payment.

If this "information" was received unsolicited then you are advised to ignore it.

Mojisola

Orangedrop wrote: »

Recently, I received information from a genealogist regarding "unclaimed assets" belonging to my Father but I am unable to get further information without payment. How were they able to get this information

Is this an heir hunter company? Your Father could be a beneficiary of a will of a long lost relative.

These firms usually work on a percentage of the estate rather than asking for money upfront.

What was the name of the company?

Paul_DNAP

Mojisola wrote: »

Is this an heir hunter company? Your Father could be a beneficiary of a will of a long lost relative.

These firms usually work on a percentage of the estate rather than asking for money upfront.

What was the name of the company?

Even then, no reputable heir hunter would demand a payment up front like this.


Unsolicited notice of untold riches - tick. No real details - tick. Payment upfront required - tick.
This has scam written all over it.


And how did they get the information - your Father's death and the notice of probate are a matter of public record. Someone has been through the notices and shotgunned spam out to you.

TrickyDicky101

OP hasn't stated payment up front is required (just 'payment') so it could still be an heir hunter-type situation. Perhaps OP could clarify?

Paul_DNAP

TrickyDicky101 wrote: »

OP hasn't stated payment up front is required (just 'payment') so it could still be an heir hunter-type situation. Perhaps OP could clarify?

I am reading the "unable to get more information without payment" as being they are doing the "we have something to tell you, but you need to pay us in order to find out what it is we have to tell you" scam.


e.g. They may charge the OP £500 to find out he's owed 10p, of which 80% will be eaten up with their fees.

Orangedrop

Hello and thank you to everyone that has taken time to reply. I am only checking email a couple of times a day so please excuse the delay.

It is an heir hunter type company and it is not payment upfront, rather a cut of the assets (sorry for lack of clarity). My Father doesn't have any relatives in this country.

The information was sent to my Mother a month or so ago and she posted me a photocopy of the letter a couple of days ago - she'd checked it with her solicitor who seemed to think it wasn't a scam.

When Dad passed away unexpectedly, I went through what must have been 20 years of unsorted paperwork so it is likely I missed this. My Mother never took note of financial affairs so I am none the wiser currently and a good 4 hours from the paperwork.

I just wondered if there was a deadline for unclaimed assets. Or some kind of register where I would be able to see what is going on myself before giving commission to someone for something I could easily find out for myself.

Nasqueron

There is no list of old assets, pensions etc, it is not public information.


Either you hunt through his paperwork or give them a cut - so long as it's not an upfront fee

Mojisola

Orangedrop wrote: »

It is an heir hunter type company and it is not payment upfront, rather a cut of the assets (sorry for lack of clarity).

If it's one of the reputable companies, then you have nothing to lose by taking it further - at the moment you have nothing; if your Father was entitled to a share of someone's estate, there will be a cut minus the heir hunter's share.

Paul_DNAP

Okay, the clarification changes my view on it quite a bit - you could probably proceed with caution and be prepared to run a mile if they do ever mention money up front.