Probate genealogists contacting us

lookstraightahead

Hello
My husband had received a letter from a probate research company informing him that he is one of a number of next of kin to receive a share in his recently deceased cousin's estate. My husband's sister has also received a letter, but from a different probate research company/ professional genealogist.  One is saying they will take 10% of assets, the other 12.5% upon completion of distributions.
We were aware that he had died, we don't think he had much with regards to his estate, but we wondered what we should do now. These companies appear to have this information from somewhere?  
Thank you.

Browntoa

A list is published of unclaimed estates , the bona vacantia list , and it becomes a race between outfits to trace possible heirs.
They use tools like telephone directory , electoral roll or his details have been passed on by another heir who has already been contacted

lookstraightahead

Thank you. I'm not sure what we should do now though - just ignore it? 

Grumpelstiltskin

lookstraightahead said:

Thank you. I'm not sure what we should do now though - just ignore it? 

Why ignore it? If there is any money surely you might as well get it.

lookstraightahead

Grumpelstiltskin said:

lookstraightahead said:

Thank you. I'm not sure what we should do now though - just ignore it? 

Why ignore it? If there is any money surely you might as well get it.

Thank you - so is contacting these people the best way forward or is there some 'official office' we can contact? 

Browntoa

The genealogy researchers have done the legwork and can provide the required documents. Unless you know who the relative is then let them handle it

Grumpelstiltskin

You can check yourself if the estate has been  on the Bona Vacantia list. Assuming you know the name.
Bona Vacantia List | Unclaimed Estates UK
But not all cases are on there sometimes estates are referred to 'Heir Hunters' by solicitors etc.

lookstraightahead

Grumpelstiltskin said:

You can check yourself if the estate has been  on the Bona Vacantia list. Assuming you know the name.
Bona Vacantia List | Unclaimed Estates UK
But not all cases are on there sometimes estates are referred to 'Heir Hunters' by solicitors etc.

Yes he's on the list I've just checked. So we have two companies contacting two siblings. There are definitely another two relatives of "equal entitlement" that we know of, but we're not really in touch with them. Both of them would know that my husband and his sister are siblings.
ok thank you - we will contact them tomorrow. 

GrannyKate

My mum had one of these letters about 10 years ago.  I knew who it was and was fairly sure he had very little.  Mum more upset that family living locally hadn't told her.  I suspect genealogists thought he might have owned the property he had lived in all his life but I knew he and his family lived in it rent free for life as his late mother's employers had bought it for that purpose more than 50 years ago.  I left company to do it and take their percentage but as an amateur genealogist I was able to supply them with a lot of information and certificates relating to both his mother and father's families.  Mum got a cheque for about £400 which was welcome and unexpected.

[Deleted User]

lookstraightahead said:

Hello
My husband had received a letter from a probate research company informing him that he is one of a number of next of kin to receive a share in his recently deceased cousin's estate. My husband's sister has also received a letter, but from a different probate research company/ professional genealogist.  One is saying they will take 10% of assets, the other 12.5% upon completion of distributions.
We were aware that he had died, we don't think he had much with regards to his estate, but we wondered what we should do now. These companies appear to have this information from somewhere?  
Thank you.

Something I know about for once! A company called Finders International are very highly recommended as the best in UK and will probably help you out with a good deal. Good luck 🤞 

p00hsticks

Expert101 said:

lookstraightahead said:

Hello
My husband had received a letter from a probate research company informing him that he is one of a number of next of kin to receive a share in his recently deceased cousin's estate. My husband's sister has also received a letter, but from a different probate research company/ professional genealogist.  One is saying they will take 10% of assets, the other 12.5% upon completion of distributions.
We were aware that he had died, we don't think he had much with regards to his estate, but we wondered what we should do now. These companies appear to have this information from somewhere?  
Thank you.

Something I know about for once! A company called XXXXXXXX are very highly recommended as the best in UK and will probably help you out with a good deal. Good luck 🤞 

I think you'll have to excuse those of us who ar a bit wary about a brand new member of the forum joining and immediately recommending the same company in both of their two initial posts though.... can you reassure us that you aren't actually connected to this company ?