Old share certificates

toozie_2

I hope someone could help please.
I lost my dad last year, and my mum has now passed too, I’m the sole beneficially (I’m an only child) I’ve started going through the paperwork in house which is a mess as mum had the start of dementia too. I was aware she had some shares which she had inherited many years ago, and I knew they paid dividends into mums account as I was helping her pay bills and things.
I have found 5 very old share certificates and associated paperwork, these I’ve linked go the dividends credited annually or every 6 months to her current account.

I am dealing with the estate myself ( I’m the executor too) and so far it’s going okay without the need of a solicitor. I have got Probate, and estimated the share value from the price on the day for this.

My question is what is the cheapest way to sell the shares, I’ve never had dealing with them in my life. I guess I need a broker? I guess recommendations aren’t allowed on here, but how do I find out what company charges the least percentage for selling? Is it best to sell them all at once- would I be charged less overall then if I did them separately? 

Are there other fees I should account for when finding a broker, such as a fee to sign up or anything? 

How do I find a cheap reputable company? Such as I took advice from here to sell gold through Hatton Garden metals, the forums here stated they give the best prices and service- and they did, which I know is off topic but that’s the sort of advice I’m looking for.
sorry to go on! Thank you x

JCR982

You are normally able to sell directly with the Registrars.
In the first instance, you will need to let them know that your mum has died and they will update their records and provide you with paperwork showing you the options ie transfer into beneficiaries names or sell.  They can't be sold before this has happened as the share certificates will still be registered in her name etc.
If the certificates are really old, you may find it easier to get the shareholder references numbers from up to date tax vouchers but if not, just write to the appropriate registrars (google the company name and registrar to find out who it is) 

pafpcg

toozie_2 said:

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I have found 5 very old share certificates and associated paperwork, these I’ve linked go the dividends credited annually or every 6 months to her current account.

.........

My question is what is the cheapest way to sell the shares
...........

The cheapest deal will be to open an account with an on-line execution-only broker and use them to sell the shares.

Assuming that the certificates are valid and the shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange, open an account with the broker, post the certificates with a covering letter and the necessary share transfer forms (send via Royal Mail's "signed for" service at £1 - £2).  Once the broker has accepted the certificates and the holdings are visible in your account, sell the shares through the broker's dealing service.  Two working days after the sale, the funds from the sale (less the broker's sale commission) will be available to withdraw to your bank account.

Which broker?  I'd suggest JarvisX-O (www.x-o.com) because it's cheap (the only cost will be the sale commission of £5-95 per share holding).  I've used them several times and they've always been quick and efficient.  Other posters, I'm sure, will be able to suggest other brokers offering a similar service.  My guess is that using the share registrar would prove more expensive, but it might be simpler if there are questionmarks about the validity of the share certificates.

Edit:  I've just checked the paperwork for the probate administration for my mother-in-law a few years ago.  You'll need to contact the registrar for each of the share certificates to re-register the shares in your name (as the executor or beneficiary) and the registrar will almost certainly expect an Official Copy of the Grant of Probate.  If it's one of the larger registrars (Equiniti etc) there'll be instructions and downloadable forms on their web-site.  In my experience, there was no fee for registering the transfer and you'll get a brand-new certificate with your name as the registered holder (which makes selling easy).  If you need further up-to-date expert guidance, post on the "Deaths, Funerals & Probate" forum.