Contacted by heir hunters
Discussion
Received a letter at the weekend from telly heir hunters Fraser and Fraser telling me I am potentially entitled to a share of the estate of someone whose name I don't recognise. That's all, no other information.
If I sign up with them I commit to pay them 1/3 plus VAT of any sum I receive.
Makes sense to contact other members of my family to see if they know the name and tell them to sit tight and wait to see what happens but I'd be the only one paying out the finder's fee in that case I guess.
Sign up, or try and find out more?
If I sign up with them I commit to pay them 1/3 plus VAT of any sum I receive.
Makes sense to contact other members of my family to see if they know the name and tell them to sit tight and wait to see what happens but I'd be the only one paying out the finder's fee in that case I guess.
Sign up, or try and find out more?
We had this a number of years ago...
some thoughts to consider
- they need to sign up everyone who may inherit, otherwise their model breaks - so one person / family not signing up is good leverage
- you can absolutely negotiate %
- there is a huge amount of information out there - you imply that they have told you the name of the person (which is unusual) - if so, then you may be able to track them down / track down their will etc. and handle it yourself and not lose any money... try ancestry.com to start with...
we had this a number of years ago and negotiated down the % considerably - the person who had died was a very distant relative we didn't know of and out in South Africa...
some thoughts to consider
- they need to sign up everyone who may inherit, otherwise their model breaks - so one person / family not signing up is good leverage
- you can absolutely negotiate %
- there is a huge amount of information out there - you imply that they have told you the name of the person (which is unusual) - if so, then you may be able to track them down / track down their will etc. and handle it yourself and not lose any money... try ancestry.com to start with...
we had this a number of years ago and negotiated down the % considerably - the person who had died was a very distant relative we didn't know of and out in South Africa...
Funnily enough this has just happened to a relative of my wife, the lady concerned is in the legal profession, she just told the company she wasn't interested and about 18 months later a cheque arrived at her house to the tune of 40k all from some distant relative in USA that she'd never met or even known about. I don't know the exact specifics of the details but I believe that is what happened...
Good luck
Good luck
1/3 + VAT is about 40%; I think that far too high.
I would either try to do my own research, or if that's too much effort, maybe contact other heir hunters and say 'Hey these guys are offering to do it for 20% but if you can do it for 15% you can have the business.'
Would the death be in probate records? https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills Not sure if you can get probate if the Estate hasn't been finalised.
I would either try to do my own research, or if that's too much effort, maybe contact other heir hunters and say 'Hey these guys are offering to do it for 20% but if you can do it for 15% you can have the business.'
Would the death be in probate records? https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills Not sure if you can get probate if the Estate hasn't been finalised.
My wife had similar, all these companies are greedy. That said it depends how much might be coming your way. If it’s a little it may not be worth the hassle (if it’s being shared by 50 beneficiaries say) but I’d still negotiate it down. If it’s a lot definitely negotiate it down!
I’d suggest you find the name on the bona vacantia list which will give you the size of the estate. You can make a decision from there.
I’d suggest you find the name on the bona vacantia list which will give you the size of the estate. You can make a decision from there.
I had a call from them a while back regarding relatives of my grand parents, Gave them some information which they were making interesting noises about but eventually found that although many of the names were the same - it was a different family.
I also had a call regarding my fathers family with the right name and persons, although I had never heard of this particular person, nothing happened for many months and he eventually told me someone else had got there first. Different firm but I checked them and they were legit.
Peter
I also had a call regarding my fathers family with the right name and persons, although I had never heard of this particular person, nothing happened for many months and he eventually told me someone else had got there first. Different firm but I checked them and they were legit.
Peter
RetepSniktun said:
I also had a call regarding my fathers family with the right name and persons, although I had never heard of this particular person, nothing happened for many months and he eventually told me someone else had got there first. Different firm but I checked them and they were legit.
Did the other firm contact you?20+ years ago I was a lucky winner in this game, inheriting a share of a house from an unknown great-aunt. But that was done by a solicitor who - somehow - picked up the case (she'd died intestate and had no children) and did some genealogy. I think he charged about £5K and the house was worth £120K, so you can see how the hyenas have moved in since.
Checked the bona vacantia list but didn't spot the name there.
My brother has been contacted too and I've been in touch with some cousins on my father's side as I'm guessing from the questionnaire the heir hunters sent me any relation must be on that side but they don't know the name and have not been approached by anyone so far.
Intriguing.
My brother has been contacted too and I've been in touch with some cousins on my father's side as I'm guessing from the questionnaire the heir hunters sent me any relation must be on that side but they don't know the name and have not been approached by anyone so far.
Intriguing.
Did occur to me to wonder if it's not an intestacy and that the person had named my brother and myself for some reason and that whoever was dealing with the estate had given the job of tracking us down to Fraser and Fraser.
But in that case why would they be interested in knowing anything about my parents or the relations on my father's side?
But in that case why would they be interested in knowing anything about my parents or the relations on my father's side?
clive_candy said:
But in that case why would they be interested in knowing anything about my parents or the relations on my father's side?
Probably to prove they have the right person.I was asked my uncle's middle name. When I told him there was an audible sigh of relief at the other end!
LondonCalling said:
Look around at other big reputable firms. There were other companies on the TV show Heir Hunters which may be able to help.
But do you need a reputable firm? They are simply genealogists connected to salesmen; do they have access to any data that Joe Public can't access?Simpo Two said:
LondonCalling said:
Look around at other big reputable firms. There were other companies on the TV show Heir Hunters which may be able to help.
But do you need a reputable firm? They are simply genealogists connected to salesmen; do they have access to any data that Joe Public can't access?where they do well is that they do it day in day out - and are experienced at pulling together a few strands to start building the bigger picture - it is a methodical detailed job...
there are of course many talented amateurs, and joining such a group and positing the question as to how are these people connected etc. would probably get a lot of help
Thread revival!
Just been contacted by the same firm. Turns out I had a half-brother I never knew about! (I've checked and the information is correct).
What happens if we sign up vs. trying to sort it myself? At this stage I have no idea of the value of the estate (and they're asking 10%).
I guess I'm wondering (if there's property involved, for example) if this will end up just to be a big carve-up between friendly firms who inflate their costs such that the inheritance we eventually receive is severely reduced.
This might seem a bit mercenary given that a couple of days back I didn't even know of the existence of the person who died, but the inheritance would end up being split 3 ways between myself, my brother and my sister, and while I'm reasonably comfortable, both my brother and sister could use as much money as possible.
ETA:
Just been contacted by the same firm. Turns out I had a half-brother I never knew about! (I've checked and the information is correct).
What happens if we sign up vs. trying to sort it myself? At this stage I have no idea of the value of the estate (and they're asking 10%).
I guess I'm wondering (if there's property involved, for example) if this will end up just to be a big carve-up between friendly firms who inflate their costs such that the inheritance we eventually receive is severely reduced.
This might seem a bit mercenary given that a couple of days back I didn't even know of the existence of the person who died, but the inheritance would end up being split 3 ways between myself, my brother and my sister, and while I'm reasonably comfortable, both my brother and sister could use as much money as possible.
ETA:
elanfan said:
I’d suggest you find the name on the bona vacantia list which will give you the size of the estate. You can make a decision from there.
I've managed to find the name on the bona vacantia list, but I can't find anything on the size of the estate. What am I doing wrong?Edited by sunbeam alpine on Wednesday 21st June 11:12
sunbeam alpine said:
Thread revival!
Just been contacted by the same firm. Turns out I had a half-brother I never knew about! (I've checked and the information is correct).
What happens if we sign up vs. trying to sort it myself? At this stage I have no idea of the value of the estate (and they're asking 10%).
I guess I'm wondering (if there's property involved, for example) if this will end up just to be a big carve-up between friendly firms who inflate their costs such that the inheritance we eventually receive is severely reduced.
This might seem a bit mercenary given that a couple of days back I didn't even know of the existence of the person who died, but the inheritance would end up being split 3 ways between myself, my brother and my sister, and while I'm reasonably comfortable, both my brother and sister could use as much money as possible.
ETA:
If the name is on the Bona Vacantia list then don't pay anyone anything even only 10%!Just been contacted by the same firm. Turns out I had a half-brother I never knew about! (I've checked and the information is correct).
What happens if we sign up vs. trying to sort it myself? At this stage I have no idea of the value of the estate (and they're asking 10%).
I guess I'm wondering (if there's property involved, for example) if this will end up just to be a big carve-up between friendly firms who inflate their costs such that the inheritance we eventually receive is severely reduced.
This might seem a bit mercenary given that a couple of days back I didn't even know of the existence of the person who died, but the inheritance would end up being split 3 ways between myself, my brother and my sister, and while I'm reasonably comfortable, both my brother and sister could use as much money as possible.
ETA:
elanfan said:
I’d suggest you find the name on the bona vacantia list which will give you the size of the estate. You can make a decision from there.
I've managed to find the name on the bona vacantia list, but I can't find anything on the size of the estate. What am I doing wrong?Edited by sunbeam alpine on Wednesday 21st June 11:12
Gov. page: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-v...
BVD said:
Claims will be accepted by BVD within, generally, 12 years from the date that the administration of the estate was completed and interest will be paid on the money held.
However, BVD will admit fully documented claims up to 30 years from the date of death, subject to no interest being paid on the money held, if the claim is received after the 12 year period above has run out.
However, BVD will admit fully documented claims up to 30 years from the date of death, subject to no interest being paid on the money held, if the claim is received after the 12 year period above has run out.
BVD said:
Admission of claims
BVD will deal with, and admit, the first fully documented claim they receive which is supported by sufficient evidence to satisfy us that the claimant is entitled to share in the estate on the balance of probabilities.
Once a claim is accepted BVD do not need claims from other relatives, as their claim is protected by law and should be made direct to the successful claimant or their representative, as it is their legal duty to deal with the estate appropriately.
Administrators details will only be released to someone who has a potential claim to the estate, or represents someone who does, or to someone who has some other legitimate interest in the administration of the estate. If you request administrators details you must make clear what your interest in the estate is
detail on how to claim here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/make-a-claim-to-a-dece...BVD will deal with, and admit, the first fully documented claim they receive which is supported by sufficient evidence to satisfy us that the claimant is entitled to share in the estate on the balance of probabilities.
Once a claim is accepted BVD do not need claims from other relatives, as their claim is protected by law and should be made direct to the successful claimant or their representative, as it is their legal duty to deal with the estate appropriately.
Administrators details will only be released to someone who has a potential claim to the estate, or represents someone who does, or to someone who has some other legitimate interest in the administration of the estate. If you request administrators details you must make clear what your interest in the estate is
if you are the first claimant and the claim succeeds then you basically become the executor for the estate and distribute it appropriately...
Also if they've already told you have the deceased then I personally DON'T sign as you just need to prove the relationship
A few years ago heir huntering used to be my full time job and I still dabble about able with family tree ?? stuff. But also have a full time job so can help if you want
A few years ago heir huntering used to be my full time job and I still dabble about able with family tree ?? stuff. But also have a full time job so can help if you want
Edited by jbswagger on Wednesday 21st June 14:01
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